Gold members
New podcasts and videos March saw the launch of our brand-new video and podcast series for 2021. The series covers everything from hop talk to the latest from brewers, growers and suppliers to the brewing industry. We’ve already loaded a feature on our own Paul Corbett and Jon Stringer discussing how the business has grown over the past 30 years, including some funny stories of Paul's early days at Faram's. There’s Darren Gamache of Amarillo® fame, regular Brewery Resource Roadshow updates from our supplier partners, focuses on UK and International brewers, and processes in the hop grower’s year. They’re a good watch, but if you haven’t got time for that, stick your headphones on and listen while you work. Available on YouTube and wherever you download your podcasts from. Just check out our news page for links www.wellhopped.com
What are T45 pellets?
Type 45 pellets are by no means a new invention. To explain the difference, we should begin with how Type 90 pellets are made. Whole hops are chopped into a fine powder, homogenised (mixed) to ensure consistency within the batch and then pressed through a die. These pellets will have had some material removed (leaf and stem) and the moisture content may be slightly lower than the whole hops before processing, so the 90 in Type 90 or T90 stands for 90%. Originally processors would expect 90% of the weight of the whole hops returned as pellets.
Lupulin enriched
New format T45 Jester® and Olicana® We have been busy here at Charles Faram. As well as the breeding and selection of new varieties in the Hop Development Programme, we have been looking at new (and sometimes old) methods of delivering even more potency to your brews. Jester® is our flagship hop and the obvious choice to start the ball rolling with this new format. This was closely followed by sister, Olicana®. Looking at other products on the market we have had a number of trials scheduled over the last year, it was all very exciting. Some may be aware of what Jester® and Olicana® T45s are from our newsletter and others not, so please allow us to enlighten those that haven’t heard of these before.
Today the process is more efficient and the return is higher than that but the name for the process has remained the same. Type 45 pellets differ from Type 90 in that the whole hops are frozen at -20°C, then chopped. When frozen, the lupulin becomes less sticky and it is possible to separate some plant material from the lupulin by sieving. Approximately half of this plant material is discarded and the remainder is then recombined with the lupulin and pressed through a similar die to Type 90. In reality, the amount of plant material used can be varied so these pellets are often standardised to an alpha value, so they may not be 45% of the original weight but more likely 50-80%. These pellets are lupulin enriched pellets.
Cleaner, juicy, less funky
So, what was the goal of this project? There are some obvious advantages to Type 45 pellets. The product weight is reduced so shipping is less costly. When dry hopping in the fermentation or conditioning vessel, beer losses are significantly reduced. There are also some less obvious advantages; potentially a cleaner aroma and flavour profile, and the ability to increase dry hopping rates with more juicy characteristics and less funkiness.
Interested?
When they arrived at Charles Faram UK headquarters in Newland these T45 pellets caused a huge stir in the office. We have been conducting sensory analysis to compare the same beer but made with conventional Jester® T90 pellets. Brewery trials are underway and we’re compiling a variety of comparisons and feedback. We would be delighted for you to try them too! Please get in touch with the Charles Faram team to find out more.
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Check out the Faram website or get in touch with the sales team for an up to date picture of all the products available. Whether its hops, malt, dried yeast, finings, kegs, sensory training kits, bottle tops or closures they are very keen to hear from you.
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Summer 2021 | SIBA Independent Brewer | www.siba.co.uk
