The guys from Amperbräu have created a new type of beer.
For this they have chosen something very clever.
The "Green Amore" is a green hop beer.
Instead, the boys jet into the Hallertau to harvest the hops.
With a VW bus full of hops, we went straight to the brewery in Eitting.
And then everything had to happen very quickly.
Matthias Bachhuber explains in an interview why that was the case and what is special about a green hop beer.
What is a green hop beer, please?
This is a beer in which the fresh, green, i.e. undried hops are added to the brew.
Above all, time often plays a crucial role here.
If you wait too long, you can forget all the beer.
Sounds dramatic.
Why is time so important in this case?
The hops have to move from the field to the brew as quickly as possible - really within a few hours.
Because the fresh hops degrade extremely quickly - once harvested.
It loses its aroma and taste, and it quickly becomes scruffy if you don't dry it.
Properly dried hops naturally last an extremely long time, but only marginally.
When does time still play an important role in green hop beer?
The fresh hops must not remain in the brew for too long, otherwise the beer will end up too bitter.
So we only added the cones at the very end, until the brew had cooled down.
This can be compared a bit to making tea - if you let it steep for too long, it becomes bitter and loses its aroma.
How long then does the beer have to be stored before it is bottled?
Four to five weeks.
By then, all fermentation by-products that could cause headaches, for example, have been broken down.
A star chef can simply try something in between when he creates new recipes.
How are you doing?
Trying in between is not an option.
For other beers, we made at least one test brew, and if it was perfect, we implemented the recipe in the large brewery and had it bottled for the shops.
But with green hop beer, the result is a total surprise in the end.
Uh, that sounds exciting - and risky.
A test brew is not possible - otherwise the hops would no longer be fresh.
So is green hop beer always a little surprise box?
A little (laughs).
It's like with wine.
The hops are exposed to different weather and different conditions every year.
And that in turn affects the taste.
Sounds like there are more uncomplicated beers to make.
Why did you still want to brew a green hop beer, where did the idea come from?
We had the idea together in Fondi - Dachau's twin town.
At that time we were totally enthusiastic about the region, the incredible freshness of the many different foods that grow there, and their flavors.
We wanted to get that in a beer.
That fresh aroma of hops when they are still hanging in the field.
This is where the name comes from - "Green Amore?"
I agree.
It is a declaration of love for the hops.
And the idea for it came to us in Italy.
We stole a bit from Grande Amore (laughs again).
And where do the hops for your new beer come from?
He's from Wolznach.
Georg Thalmaier's business has been in the family for generations.
Now to the essentials: How does your “Green Amore” taste?
Ok, actually you really have to try it yourself, but I'll give it a try: So it's very slim and super fresh, the taste really reminds of the smell of fresh hops.
It's like a mild beer.
Real beer lovers might say: It could be more bitter.
Is the beer more for experts who like to experiment or for the general public?
It's a super drinkable beer, definitely, and our testers said: It's also a super women's beer - so fruity and fresh.
The beer can be kept for a year.
You could pick up a bottle and compare it with the green hop beer of 2021 to see: How has the taste of the hops changed?
No, I wouldn't recommend that.
I have an important tip for the green hops beer: You should drink it really soon - even if it can be kept for a year without any problems.
Because: the longer it is stored, the more the special aroma of the fresh hops is lost.
These are the Amperbräu boys
Amperbräu is a young regional beer brewing project from the Dachau region.
The founders are Matthias Bachhuber, Thomas Böswirth, Andreas Eberl, Daniel Gall and Michael Schmid.
The five boys are not only connected by a friendship, but also by a love of beer brewing.
You are always looking for new and interesting recipes.
Its aim is to interpret classic varieties in a unique way.
Where to buy Amperbräu beers can be found on the website www.amperbraeu.de.
