New Zealand Hops with Brian Clayton of Clayton Hops
Episode Overview
In this episode of the Get Hoptimized Podcast, we sit down with Brian Clayton, CEO of Clayton Hops —New Zealand’s largest hop grower and most advanced hop processor. Brian takes us on a high-energy tour through the unique flavor profiles, next-level processing innovations, the future-forward hops and exciting new varieties that are driving global demand.
If you're looking to elevate your recipes with premium New Zealand hops, explore the full range of hop varieties straight from the source by hopping onto claytonhops.co.nz
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Why New Zealand Hops and Clayton Hops Are Revolutionizing Brewing
In the world of craft brewing, the search for a truly distinct flavor and a meaningful story is never-ending. That’s why New Zealand (Kiwi) hops are taking the global industry by storm. We recently sat down with Brian Clayton, CEO of Clayton Hops—one of New Zealand's largest and most innovative hop growers—to understand the unique difference these hops bring to beer and the groundbreaking products his company is developing.
Here is why Clayton Hops should be your next source for high-quality New Zealand hops for brewing and distilling.
The Kiwi Advantage: Distinctive Flavor Meets Sustainable Hops
New Zealand's unique geography and decades-long breeding program (since the 1940s) have cultivated a genetic stock unlike any other. Clayton Hops has leveraged this heritage, resulting in varieties that are:
Distinctive and Versatile: Kiwi hops impart unique flavors and aromas, making them highly versatile for everything from hoppy lagers to hazy IPAs. They are often high in thiols, which allow them to be incredibly expressive in beer.
Clean and Green: Thanks to the low presence of pests and disease in New Zealand, growers like Clayton Hops do not need to apply the same level of chemicals as in other parts of the world. This makes them a naturally clean, green, and sustainable hops choice.
Provenance Storytelling: Brian encourages brewers to leverage this heritage by mentioning the specific farm or even paddock on their cans, which deeply resonates with consumers looking for an authentic story.
Next-Gen Brewing: Discover the AmplifirE Range
Clayton Hops is pushing the boundaries of brewing ingredients with its two-product Amplifire Range, designed for efficiency, concentration, and incredible flavor.
Enriched Hop Pellets
Key Features: Cryogenically processed; 40-50% stronger than standard T90 pellets.
Brewer Benefits: Reduces vegetative flavor, boosts beer yields, and requires less storage space.
Amplifire Oil
Key Features: A revolutionary product extracted from wet green hop cones on the day of picking, preserving maximum freshness and aroma. It is a super-concentrated liquid (1 liter is equivalent to 50kg of T90 pellets).
Brewer Benefits: Incredibly price effective, offers exceptional value, and has an exceptionally low carbon footprint due to its concentration and the elimination of the energy-intensive drying process. Brian notes that the overwhelming feedback is that it makes beer taste "better, more complex."
Future of Flavor: New Varieties from the Clayton Innovation Project
Clayton Hops continues to innovate with its proprietary breeding program, the Clayton Innovation Project (CIP). Look out for these two highly versatile new varieties coming to market soon:
CIP014 (Dual-Purpose Hop): Offers sweet peach, juicy orange, ripe passion fruit, and sticky mango notes. It is notably high in free thiols.
CIP076 (European Heritage Cross): Features notes of ripe orange, peach, nectarine, and mango.
Your New Hop Shop: How to Order from Clayton Hops
Clayton Hops is committed to making their products accessible to craft beer brewers and distillers worldwide.
You can easily get your hands on the full range of Kiwi Hops and the innovative Amplifire products through their online store:
Visit the Website: Go to claytonhops.co.nz
Shop Smart in the US: Clayton Hops maintains a warehouse in Yakima, Washington State, ensuring quick shipping, shorter lead times, and no hassle with import duties for US customers.
Start your journey with Clayton Hops today and experience the difference of clean, concentrated, and distinctively flavorful New Zealand hops.