We’re super excited to announce the return our much-acclaimed Deliverance – Sabro™, Talus and HBC 472, originally created in collaboration with Yakima Chief Hops.
This variation of Deliverance was first released in March 2020, when it became one of our fastest selling beers of all time, meaning it swiftly made a comeback in July of the same year. And our Deliverance range continued to go from strength to strength, which each version released bringing something different to the party. But when we had our new kettle and whirlpool installed in 2022, we knew we wanted to test its full capabilities with one of our punchiest, most recognisable hop forward beers, so it seemed the perfect time to bring back this delicious and distinctive IPA. And now it’s back for a third time… so popular it’s now become THE Deliverance, cemented at the heart of our range.
Our Deliverance features a little family of three different hop varieties, which all stem from the wild Neomexicanus species. HBC 472 and Talus (previously known as HBC 692) both stem from the amazing Sabro™ hop – which was itself known as HBC 438 until it was officially named. These hops come from the same lengthy breeding process that brought you Citra, Mosaic and Ekuanot, and we’re definitely in love with Sabro™ and its family.Â
The beer itself is bursting with aromatics and incredibly juice-forward – pineapple upside down cake and mango coulis on the nose with a heady, resinous character. Masses of tropicality on the palate, with notes of dessicated coconut teaming up with bags more pineapple, peach and zesty grapefruit singing together in perfect fruity harmony. Full bodied and creamy, super smooth but with a lingering bitterness in the finish which really showcases the complexity and diversity of flavour that this chosen hop combination brings.
Here’s a little more information on those little green nuggets of aromatic joy for all the beer geeks out there! Sabro™ Brand HBC 438 came into being from the Hop Breeding Company (a group of farmers and scientists dedicated to nurturing, cultivating and eventually releasing new varieties of hops for us all to enjoy, who are based in the Yakima Valley) which is supplied through YCH’s experimental hop program. Known for having a really unique complexity, it imparts distinct tangerine, coconut, tropical fruit, and stone fruit aromas, with hints of cedar, mint, and cream. Sabro’s sister and daughter, HBC 472 and Talus, share many of the same fruity, citrussy characteristics – we think there’s a very distinctive Pina Colada note in the 472!
For all hops named HBC, this means that they are a newer hop from the Hop Breeding Company’s programme. Eventually, if the hop proves itself a worthy component of that beverage that brings us all together, it is rewarded with its very own name (Mosaic was once HBC 369, and Citra was HBC 394). The whole process can take a very long time, with Sabro™ only becoming commercially available after two decades of research and trials. As you can see, since this beer was first brewed five years ago, Talus has been granted a name but HBC 472 is still waiting patiently! With hops being a natural product and so susceptible to the environment they are grown in, it’s important to make sure that not only do they have desirable aroma and flavour characteristics, but also that they can survive and grow well.
The Neomexicanus subspecies, which all three of the hops used in our new Deliverance stem from, is itself interesting. Almost all commercially available hops are of European origin and descent, even those which are now bred in the USA, but in the Sabro™ family, we are able to make use of a genetically distinct sub-species of hops that have been growing wild in the New Mexico mountains for the past million years. Groovy!
The possibilities of flavour you can get from hops are ever growing, thanks to the efforts of not just our brewers, but also the hop breeders, growers, farmers and suppliers, who work tirelessly to ensure that the humulus lupulus that gives so much character to your beer is the very best it can be.
This one isn’t likely to hang around for long, so don’t miss out! It’s available via our online shop in can here, and to trade in limited cask, can and keg by contacting our friendly sales team (sales@abbeydalebrewery.co.uk or give us a call on 0114 2812712).
Cheers!
