“Crushed so hard, my glass is empty!”
That’s the kind of excitement Herefordshire hops are stirring up among U.S. beer lovers. Harlequin Dancer, brewed by Three Wide Brewing in Fort Worth, Texas, has taken home the prestigious gold medal at the U.S. Open Beer Championship!
This achievement is a testament to the quality of this brewing but also celebrates the unique characteristics of the British hop variety, Harlequin®, which have captured the hearts (and taste buds) of beer lovers.
‘Harlequin was really a breath of fresh air. Having a hop at my disposal which gives me orange, lemon, and stone fruit, ALL in a more subtle way than your typical American hop variety allows me to create beers with more nuance and gentle character.’ Joshua Mercer (Three Wide Brewing)
HARLEQUIN®
Harlequin, grown in Herefordshire, hopped to the top of the Charles Faram Hop Development Programme and was first offered commercially in 2019. As the daughter of Godiva™ and granddaughter of Jester®, Harlequin bursts with New World aromatics, offering bright citrus and tropical fruits, while maintaining that distinctive subtle hint of UK terroir.
Will Rogers, Technical Director at Charles Faram, highlighted the significance of Harlequin, stating: ‘In Harlequin, British Hop growers have a hop that can compete on the International stage. Brewers can rely on a consistent, reliable source of this exciting new variety, being grown sustainably in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and now Kent. Growers have responded extremely positively and planted additional acreage to guarantee plentiful supplies.’
THE CREATION OF HARLEQUIN DANCER:
The inspiration behind Harlequin Dancer stems from Three Wide Brewing’s deep love for British beers; ‘British styles really hold a special place in my heart because they still focus on supreme drinkability and balance.’ – Joshua
The brewers at Three Wide Brewing explained, that this beer was crafted to showcase Harlequin® hops, with a recipe designed to complement the hop’s flavour profile.
RECEPTION FROM BEER LOVERS:
Phrases like “Crushed so hard, my glass is empty!” and “Delightful” are just a few of the highly enthusiastic reviews that reflect the beer’s success. Winning the gold at the U.S. Open Beer Championship is just the beginning for Harlequin Dancer as Three Wide Brewing plans for future releases and more opportunities to showcase Harlequin® hops.
