Beer of the Week: Orderly Chaos

I’m in the midst of the most intense and enlightening fresh-hop season of my life. In addition to enjoying a number of locally brewed fresh-hop beers, I recently traveled to Washington’s Yakima Valley (i.e., the hop-growing capital of the U.S.), where I visited hop farms and purveyors to rub hops and enjoy a wide variety of fresh-hop ales and lagers. Having the opportunity to do so much sensory analysis with whole-cone hops allowed me to come away from the experience with a better internal palate for this seasonal class of beers. A trademark characteristic I hadn’t previously been able to put my finger on is those beers’ “greenness,” a cucumber-like verdancy which comes in large part from the physical plant matter of the newly harvested hop cones they’re brewed with. The chlorophyll and volatile organic compounds, such as C6 and C9 aldehydes, add enhanced “green” dimension to such beers, regardless of style (e.g., IPA, pale ale, Pilsner). Since returning to sweet home San Diego, there’s one fresh-hop creation that’s delivered this sensation more than any other, and it’s this week’s featured beer, Orderly Chaos. A 6.2% West Coast IPA from North Park’s Seek Beer Co., it’s as green as they come with aromas of cut-grass and wet leaves (not to be mistaken with off-flavors that are sometimes described in this manner) giving way to spa water, passionfruit and lemon verbena on the palate. Flavorful yet light in body, it strikes the type of balance that makes an IPA craveable beyond the first pint, while showing off a key quality of fresh-hop beers that makes them so alluring and worth seeking out come harvest season (which goes from late August to early October…mark your calendars).

Our new fresh-hopped West Coast IPA delivers a vibrant, farm-direct hop experience built on undried Cascade Deep Cut fresh-hop cones. Heavy doses of CGX NUVO Comet and CGX NUVO Chinook bring layers of bright grapefruit, pine resin and tropical punch with classic green fresh-hop character, while a classic finishing touch of Centennial rounds out the brew with floral citrus notes and a signature crisp, resinous West Coast bite. It’s always a messy brew day, but it’s fun and exciting since this is the only time of year we get to do this. We hope you like it!”

Dave Ohmer, Owner & Head Brewer, Seek Beer Co.

Seek Beer Co. is located inside the CRAFT by Brewery Igniter facility at 3052 El Cajon Boulevard, Suite 103 in North Park