Ommegang Releases Hopstate NY,

Made With 100% New York Hops

COOPERSTOWN – In time for this weekend’s Avett Brothers concert, Brewery Ommegang has released Hopstate NY, a tribute to local hop farmers who are reviving the state’s hop industry.

This is the latest effort in Ommegang’s hop program,  which includes a variety trial hop yard and support of Cornell Cooperative Extension and their hop farm advisers.

“Hopstate NY is a very exciting project for us,” says Mike McManus, Ommegang’s innovation manager. “The opportunity to create a well-balanced and classic American Pale Ale with all NYS hops, to be involved in the hop growing community here has been incredibly rewarding.  Beer is an agricultural product, and this beer is a toast to the farmers in our own backyard.”

In addition to developing the recipe for Hopstate NY, McManus also purchased the hops and is a key member of the Ommegang team working to promote and support the local industry.

The hop industry has deep roots in New York State which was the epicenter of hops production in the United States in the 1800s, producing 80 percent of the country’s hops. Last year, Ommegang, which is located on the former Lynes Hop Farm, purchased 1.5 tons of New York State-grown and processed hops. The hops were used to brew not only Hopstate NY but also in Fleur de Houblon, Ommegang’s summer ale.

Brewed with 100 percent New York grown Cascade, Nugget and Chinook hops, Hopstate NY pours a light copper to medium amber hue with a persistent white head and incredible lacing . The taste is of citrus and tangerine with a slight pine resin presence and the bitterness is moderate. The finish is a pleasantly lingering resinous hop finish with a touch of sweet malt.

Hopstate NY will only be available in New York in 2015 but as the local hop industry grows, Hopstate NY will expand to new states, symbolizing the rebirth of this local farming tradition. Hopstate NY is available now in 12oz. four-packs throughout New York. Ommegang’s website offers a beer finder for locating retailers by zip code.