Shmaltz Brewing Company - Mazel Hops!

Brewed as an imperial IPA, and dry-hopped, of course, this is certainly the most aggressively-hopped beer we’ve featured in many moons, but hey, you only have a 20th Anniversary once. Go big or go home. We found the aroma intoxicating, as luscious, fruity hops practically jump out of the glass. The several hop varietals chosen for this beer complement each other well, delivering notes of grapefruit, orange, lime, tropical fruit, and some pine-like herbal tones amidst a floral background. On the palate – it’s a hop explosion. The varietals work together to create a complex, yet very well-matched, profile of bright, juicy, acidic citrus, and resinous notes that seem something like the lovechild of a pine tree and a cannabis plant. The malt core provides a very good complementary background tapestry of mild caramel and a touch of residual sweetness for structure, but the hops easily remain the stars here. The massive 81 IBUs of this big brew grab the palate and linger on the tongue well after the sip is complete. For a pairing, choose foods that are equally big in character, like spicy Indian, Thai, or Vietnamese dishes, or a plate of sharp and pungent cheeses. The hop acidity can cut through fat much like a wine, so a bacon burger with sharp cheddar and spicy BBQ sauce or mustard is a natural match.

Hop character degrades over time, so, as the label implores you – drink this brew fresh. We hope you enjoy this exclusive offering. Here’s to 20 more years of The Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club. L’Chaim! Mazel Hops!

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Not many brewing companies have the chutzpah to market their beers with the irreverent humor that the Shmaltz Brewing Company has with their He’Brew brand. Though it’s clear they approach their marketing with tongue firmly planted in cheek, make no mistake, that’s where the joke ends; the beers themselves are the real deal, well-crafted by creative brewers whose passion is apparent with each sip.

The idea for He’Brew beers began one night in 1987, when founder Jeremy Cowan and friends were drinking and brainstorming wild ideas for Jewish-themed products. It was then that the idea was born for a Kosher, high holy days celebratory brew to be called “He’Brew,” and boasting the slogan “Don’t Pass Out, Passover!” In 1996, the dream became a reality; Cowan brewed up his first commercial batch of He’Brew Genesis Ale for that year’s Hanukah celebration. After selling all one hundred cases of Genesis Ale out of the trunk of his grandmother’s Volvo, he decided the next year to quit his day job and focus his energy into building the innovative brewing company that stands before us today. After having partnered for many years with Olde Saratoga Brewing Co. to produce the He’Brew line, Shmaltz took the plunge and opened their very own brewery in 2013. Olde Saratoga’s brewmaster, Paul McErlean, now serves as brewmaster for He’Brew, overseeing their 50-barrel brewing system.

We’re extremely excited to have been able to work with Jeremy and his team on Mazel Hops!, a beer created especially to celebrate our club’s 20th Anniversary, and exclusively available to our beer club members. To learn more about Shmaltz and their He’Brew brand of beers, visit www.shmaltzbrewing.com.