Stone Brewing Collaborates with 4 Hands and Bale Breaker

From Stone Brewing Co.:

The concept of this IPA started forming after Stone Brewmaster Mitch Steele was encouraged by Team Stone members to visit and sample beers from 4 Hands. Steele was impressed with their lineup, and the St. Louis-based beer company was added to Stone’s “awesome breweries to collaborate with” list. During last year’s hop selection in Yakima, WA, Stone Lead Brewer Jeremy Moynier and Steele stopped by Bale Breaker, a craft brewery that had recently opened on the storied B.T. Loftus Ranches hop farm. While enjoying a few heavily hopped IPAs, Moynier and Steele knew this would be the perfect addition to the admittedly hop-obsessed trio.

“The family operating B.T. Loftus Ranches and Bale Breaker has been growing hops since 1932, so there’s no doubt they are hop fanatics like us here at Stone,” explains Steele. “Plus, 4 Hands Brewing Co. has made some amazing beers that use unconventional brewing ingredients to accentuate the qualities of hops. This beer truly reflects the skills of three brilliant IPA brewers.”

When brainstorming recipe ideas, it was decided that Simcoe and Mosaic hops were a must, especially since B.T. Loftus Ranches was the first hop farm to commercially grow the beloved Simcoe varietal. But the goal of Stone Collaborations is about exploring uncharted territory. Thus, the trio decided that puréed peaches should be added to up the fruit factor, while experimental hops HBC 342 and HBC 344 were selected to provide notes of pine, berries, citrus and stone fruit. Thanks to Munich malt used for the grain bill, the beer has a golden, light-brown appearance and a slightly sweet finish, which perfectly balances the smooth hop bitterness.

To experience these newly cultivated hops and in all their glory, fans should enjoy 4 Hands / Bale Breaker / Stone Sorry Not Sorry IPA fresh and within 90 days after “bottled on” date on the bottle neck. This beer is a magnificent example of what happens when talented brewers band together to explore new hoppy territory for the IPA. After all, who says the world needs another IPA? We do!