Shmaltz Brewing Company - No Shtick

This big brew from Shmaltz pours an attractive golden hue with good clarity and a robust head of white foam that retains well and laces nicely as it slowly recedes to a collar. On the nose, expect a very bright and bold hop aroma bursting with piney and floral notes with some candied citrus and hints of stone fruit and pineapple. The theme continues on the palate where the hops come through dank and resinous with juicy citrus and tropical fruits, pine, spice, and floral notes. The malt backbone is robust, providing a touch of caramelization along with enough heft to support all the hoppy goodness. Bitterness is quite firm and lingers long in the finish of this full-bodied double IPA. Make sure to let this brew warm up a bit from fridge temp as the malt flavors will open up more and be better able to balance the hop bitterness, which is amplified by cold temperatures. For pairing options, stick to boldly-flavored dishes which can stand up to the beer's intensity. Grilled meats, especially those smothered in barbecue sauce can match up well to the beer's bitterness and acidity. Washed-rind, blue, and well-aged cheeses are a good call, too. Cheers!

Though it’s clear Shmaltz approaches their marketing with tongue firmly planted in cheek, make no mistake, that’s where the joke ends; the beers themselves have always been the real deal, well-crafted by creative brewers whose passion is apparent with each sip.

The idea for their original He’Brew line of 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 Hanukkah 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. We’ve been excited to work with our friends at Shmaltz several times over the years, including for our 20th anniversay when they created Mazel Hops, a one-off IPA made just for our members. To learn more about Shmaltz and their wide array of beers, visit www.shmaltzbrewing.com.