Last chance to pre-order the 4th Annual Veterans Blend supporting K9s For Warriors!
Each year, Yakima Chief Hops launches the pre-sale of their annual Veterans Blend. Currently in its 4th year, this hop blend supports and celebrates US military Veterans while collaborating with the brewing community to create something bigger than beer.
A new blend of hops for the Veterans Blend is selected each year by military Veteran brewers across the states. The varieties included in the 4th Annual Veterans Blend are Idaho 7®, HBC 630, Ekuanot®, Azacca®, and HBC 472. The blend is designed to hit a 10%-12% alpha acid range. One exciting feature of the blend is its production timing, often being some of the first hops processed to completion in a crop year to make the Veteran’s Day beer release timeline. In addition, each hop selected will bring unique aroma compounds to the blend, including:
Idaho 7®: This high-impact hop is known for its significant concentrations of survivable compounds, making it an excellent hop for whirlpool and active fermentation dry hop. Typical aromas include Berry, Bubblegum, Citrus, Stone Fruit, and Tropical.
HBC 630: This experimental variety features a unique oil profile, high in geranyl acetate, providing user-friendly aromas of Cherry, Sweet Aromatic, Tropical, and Citrus.
Ekuanot®: Released in 2014, Ekuanot® features pronounced aroma characteristics of Bubblegum, Citrus, and Stone Fruit and is known for its extremely high oil content.
Azacca®: Its excellent aromatic qualities of Berry, Citrus, Pine, and Stone Fruit have quickly made Azacca® a go-to hop for late and dry hop additions in varying styles of beer.
HBC 472: Aromas of Citrus, Coconut, Herbal, and Woody are expected from this experimental variety
Photo Credit: K9s For Warriors
In addition to a new blend, each year YCH selects a different nonprofit organization to receive a donation that works to provide aid or resources to former military service members. This year, YCH is proud to partner with K9s For Warriors, the largest provider of Service Dogs trained to aid military Veterans in everyday life. Their mission is to end Veteran suicide by providing Service Dogs to Veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma.
The deadline to submit orders is Sept. 15th to allow for time to ship, brew and pour by Veterans Day 2021. Limited inventory will also be available for direct purchase in November.
