Just in time for Oregon's Zwickelmania, Von Ebert Brewing announces the release of Fresh Hop Volatile Substance made with flash-frozen fresh hops and Derby Ram.
Press Release
image courtesy Von Ebert Brewing
PORTLAND, Ore. - February 17, 2021 - Von Ebert Brewing, winner of the 2021 Oregon Beer Awards’ Medium Size Brewery of the Year, will be releasing two new draft-only beers for Saturday’s 14th Annual Zwicklemania hosted by the Oregon Brewers Guild.
One of those beers will be the fresh hop version of the GABF Gold Medal-winning and Oregon Beer Awards Gold Medal-winning American IPA, Volatile Substance. This marks the first time the beer has ever been available outside of the traditional fall timeframe for fresh hop beers.
Fresh Hop Volatile Substance contains flavors of berry and pine, complemented by dank characteristics, with a 6.9% ABV and 65 IBUs.
“Yes, we are releasing a fresh hop beer in February!” exclaimed Sam Pecoraro, head brewer, Von Ebert Brewing, when discussing the Zwicklemania releases. “We sourced flash frozen Mosaics from Yakima Chief Hops in Washington to make this edition of Fresh Hop Volatile Substance.”
The Mosaic hops were harvested in the fall of 2021 and kept exceptionally cold until arriving at the Von Ebert Pearl location to be used.
“We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the hops,” added Pecoraro. “They exceeded our expectations and helped make this a really nice rendition of Fresh Hop Volatile Substance. We also were able to increase the pounds per barrel of fresh whole cones we used by more than 33%!”
Derby Ram, a keg-conditioned Midlands Dark Mild, is another beer Von Ebert is releasing for Zwicklemania. The 3.9% ABV beer is highly drinkable, malty, and complex, containing flavors of chocolate, figs, walnut, and toffee.
In keg-conditioning the beer, the Von Ebert brewing team refermented it in the keg with sugar and yeast to create a tiny bit of alcohol, carbonation, and added complexity.
“We kept the carbonation low purposefully to accentuate the beer’s malt character,” explained Pecoraro. “The process is similar to how our mixed-culture Heritage Beers are carbonated in the bottle, but with a very different end result. I encourage people to not just have a small taste of this beer, but relax and take a proper pint to give it the mindshare and reflection it deserves.”
Fresh Hop Volatile Substance and Derby Ram will both be available on draft at the Von Ebert Glendoveer and Pearl brewpubs for Zwickelmania this Saturday.
Find Von Ebert on social media: @vebrewing and facebook.com/VonEbertBrewing.
About Von Ebert Brewing
Von Ebert Brewing, winner of Brewery of the Year, Medium Size, at the 2021 Oregon Beer Awards, sits at the crossroads where storied traditions meet bold new ideas in brewing. Independently owned and operated, the Portland, OR-based brewery produces award-winning beers in a variety of styles. Von Ebert beers have received medals at numerous competitions, world-class ratings from top blind tasting panels, and recognition as one of the top 20 beers in the world over the past year. In addition to modern IPAs and crisp lagers, the oak-aged, bottle-conditioned Heritage beer program sets the brewery apart. All of the beers pair perfectly with the elevated American pub cuisine served at both brewpub locations. For more information, please visit www.vonebertbrewing.com.
