ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A popular hop is the all-star in the latest release from the Genesee Brew House Pilot Batch series. SIMCOE S.M.A.S.H Pale Ale, a single-malt, single-hop brew, features the Simcoe hop, best known for its ability to deliver outstanding flavor and aroma, as well as bitterness. Juicy and hop-forward with aromas of pine and citrus, the Simcoe hop combined with the SMaSH brewing process is the ideal addition to Genesee Brew House’s annual S.M.A.S.H. series.
“Single-hop, single-malt beers are a great way for beer lovers to learn more about and appreciate the hoppy styles that are so popular right now, since they bring out the profile of one specific hop,” Brewmaster Dean Jones said. “This brew is the result of experimentation with multiple single-hop, single-malt styles, and we thought the Simcoe hop was the perfect fit for this release based on its one-hop-with-a-dual-purpose quality.”
The Simcoe hop was created in 2000 by Select Botanicals Group, an integrated crop management company that specializes in breeding new hop varieties for the global brewing industry. The hop has found favor in the craft and home brewing industries for applications that offer flavor and aroma, as well as bitterness.
“Simcoe brand hops offer the best of both worlds for lovers of hop-forward beers because they boast several different aromas, including passion fruit, pine, earthy and citrus, along with strong bittering qualities all in one beer,” said Amy Matthews, brand manager at Select Botanicals Group LLC.
The 5.5 percent pale ale captures the dual-purpose Simcoe hop, bringing out its best features with aromas of citrusy passionfruit and piney earthiness that shine through a subtle pale malt base. When Jones first brewed this S.M.A.S.H., it was a clear favorite at the Genesee Brew House. Based on the popularity of the Simcoe hop across the beer industry and Brew House customer feedback, this batch was crafted for the next Pilot Batch series release. The single-malt, single-hop brewing style, combined with the unique Simcoe hop, creates a delicate balance in this pale ale. It also provides an educational and exciting experience, allowing craft beer drinkers and homebrewers to enjoy one of the most sought-after hops while expanding their palates by learning their favorite hoppy flavors.
The limited-time-only Simcoe S.M.A.S.H. Pale Ale will be available for purchase beginning mid-December through winter 2018 in six-pack bottles, as well as on draft in select bars and restaurants, including the Genesee Brew House in Rochester, New York. Beer drinkers can purchase Simcoe S.M.A.S.H. at select locations throughout the East, Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes.
For more information about Simcoe S.M.A.S.H. Pale Ale and other Genesee Brew House Pilot Batch beers, including Dark Chocolate Scotch Ale, visit geneseebeer.com or follow Genesee on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To find Simcoe S.M.A.S.H. Pale Ale near you, visit Genesee’s online beer finder.
About Genesee Brew House Pilot Batch
Each beer in the Pilot Batch series is originally created and first crafted on the 20-barrel pilot system in the Genesee Brew House, and is then proudly brewed and bottled at the Genesee Brewery. Since 2012, Dean Jones, award-winning brewer with more than 25 years of brewing experience, has been the Brewmaster of the Pilot Batch system in the Genesee Brew House. He frequently collaborates with other Rochester brewers and artisans on his brews.
About the Genesee Brew House
Once a century-old packaging center, the Genesee Brew House transformed a 9,200 square-foot space into a world class beer destination. The first floor of the Brew House features interactive exhibits, multi-media content, a retail shop and a pilot brewery complete with a tasting bar. Upstairs, there is a pub-style restaurant with a 41-foot bar (hand-crafted out of old, wooden Genesee brewing tanks), outdoor terrace seating and a rooftop patio.
The Genesee Brew House tells a story of the Genesee Brewing Company that dates back to 1878. The brewery lays claim to being the oldest and one of the longest continually operating breweries in the United States. By using an eclectic mix of vintage barrels, reclaimed wood, exposed ceiling, neon signs, new technology and modern exhibits, The Brew House will bring Genesee’s story alive for generations to come.
About Genesee Brewing Company
Established in 1878, the Genesee Brewery—New York state’s oldest brewery—makes the classic Genesee line of beers and the Original Honey Brown Lager, as well as Seagram’s Escapes. The Genesee Brewery also manufactures beer and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages under contracts on behalf of other companies. For more information, visit www.geneseebeer.com.