For its latest release in its on-going Kush series, Roadhouse Brewing Co. has partnered with Mother Earth Brewing Company to produce a ‘profoundly heady’ IPA titled Surreal Kush. This is the fifth release in the series. Past collaborations have included accomplished IPA producers like Athens, GA’s Creature Comforts Brewing (Cosmic Kush); Salt Lake City’s Templin Family Brewing (Superdelic Kush); Colorado’s Odell Brewing (Sublime Kush).
In the pursuit of pushing the envelope with hop innovation, Roadhouse Brewmaster Max Shafer calls the new release a “regular ole New Zealand hops fruit basket,” featuring a blend of four New Zealand hops bursting with fruity flavors and aromas. Nelson and Riwaka hops bring traditional gooseberry, tropical fruit, and “a touch of je ne sais quoi” to this Kush iteration. A note of Riwaka Cryo hops further enhances the beer’s fruity character.
Roadhouse and Mother Earth Brewing Company have introduced Wakatu, a new hop variety for both breweries, to the mix. This German-origin hop provides a smooth bitterness that complements the other hops while offering its own unique tropical notes. The final hop is NZH-104, an experimental hop grown by NZ Hops LTD. One of Shafer’s all-time favorite hops, this final hop brings intense passionfruit and guava aromas and a mineral character reminiscent of Southern Hemisphere sauvignon blancs. It also expresses the “South Island terroir” that Shafer loves about New Zealand-grown hops.
The result is a floral and fruity IPA with intense aromas of gooseberry, passion fruit, papaya and ripe mandarin orange. Pilsner malt from Montana Craft Malt provides the perfect canvas for these hops to shine while offering a firm foundation for the complex flavors.
“We’re so excited to release Surreal Kush as it showcases some truly incredible New Zealand hops,” says Shafer. “We used four varieties, both new and old, in this sensational IPA. Each hop brings its own unique character to the beer, and the final product is a beautiful exploration of New Zealand hop varieties.”
As a whole, the Kush series celebrates the exploration of unique and experimental hops alongside like-minded, award-winning breweries from across the country. Shafer says, “It deserves to be recognized as a celebration and display of our commitment to the relationships we have with other craft brewers, hop growers or people in the hops industry and malt industry folks as well.” To represent the series, Roadhouse aims to release at least three collaboration brews per year.
Mother Earth Brewing Company, for its part, is an award-winning brewery with locations in Vista, CA and Nampa, ID. This particular partnership brings together the expertise and creativity of two like-minded, award-winning breweries, promising an unforgettable brew that pushes the boundaries of hop-forward beers. Shafer adds, “We have a great relationship with the brewing team at Mother Earth and we’ve always respected what they do.”
Surreal Kush will be available on draft and in 16-ounce cans throughout Roadhouse and Mother Earth’s distribution territories.
