Beer of the Week: Invaders from Idaho!

The Pacific Northwest is our country’s premier hop-growing region. Due to the prominence of farms in Washington’s Yakima Valley, that state is synonymous with the word “hops”, with neighboring Oregon also well known for its own wealth of bine-bloomed cones. That’s where the conversation on U.S. hops ends for the average beer fan, but it shouldn’t. There’s another state that factors greatly into the mixed-green mix: Idaho. (Insert almost-mandatory: “I da’ ho’…nah, man, you da’ ho’!” joke so we can all get it out of our system and move on.) Last year, Idaho accounted for over 16% of domestic hop production, which was second overall behind Washington and more than six million pounds ahead of third-place Oregon. Varietals developed in the state include namesakes, Idaho 7 and Idaho Gem, as well as a new arrival on the scene called Pink, all of which are incorporated into this week’s featured beer, Invaders from Idaho. Released as the nation’s hop-growers and brewing industry professionals convened in San Diego for the annual American Hop Convention, this IPA is Duck Foot Brewing’s quaffable ode to The Gem State. Lighter in body with a texture coming in somewhere between a San Diego-style or cold IPA, it allows the varied, rather unique characteristics these hops have to offer to shine through while making for a tremendously refreshing finished product. The hop convention may be over, but this beer lives on and is ripe for the picking!

Invaders from Idaho is a West Coast IPA brewed to show off the characteristics of a trio of hops developed in Idaho. Family-owned-and-operated farms developed and launched these hops so we wanted to make sure those farmers could recognize their work in this beer. We kept the recipe simple…Pilsner malt, wheat malt, a clean yeast and lots of hops. Idaho 7, Idaho Gem and Experimental ID-158 (AKA: ‘Pink’) were used from kettle additions through two rounds of dry-hopping, and that combination yields a bright and vibrant flavor profile. Fresh lemon peel, ripe strawberries and bubble gum all leap from the glass and pull you in for a taste, and are balanced by a light, piney resin note. The beer finishes clean and dry, leaving you ready to enjoy more of the excellent work done by the farmers at Gooding Farms and Jackson Farms in Idaho. Cheers to them for their dedication to growing high-quality hops for all of us to enjoy!”

Matt Akin, Head Brewer, Duck Foot Brewing

Duck Foot Brewing’s headquarters is located at 8920 Kenamar Drive in Miramar, and its satellite taproom is located at 978 North Coast Highway 101 in Leucadia