34 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 8-14, 2024 www.montereycountyweekly.com CHILL Never heard of Nectaron hops? Join the club. It’s a newbie, developed by researchers in New Zealand and recently released to the craft beer market, joining a list of varieties that exceeds even the types of India Pale Ale out there. There’s regular old IPA, double and triple IPA, hazy, sour, West Coast, English—how much space do we have? What has brewmaster Jeffrey Vitalich of Hidden Hills Brewing & Blending in Carmel excited is the potential of this new hop for the IPA style. “It’s going to be real big,” he says. Vitalich has already introduced the hop to his lineup at Hidden Hills. Nimbus Nectar is a juicy IPA that showcases Nectaron’s unique qualities. Unlike the resinous bite that many hops bring, Nectaron is like becoming lost in a tropical paradise—full of pineapple, passionfruit, grapefruit and fresh stone fruit essence that it is eager to impart to beer. In other words, perfect for the citrus squirt of a juicy IPA. Juicy IPAs tend to be fruit-forward. Yet Vitalich has a deft hand. So in Nimbus Nectar, he steadies the bright fruits with a base of California barley and Waimea hops. The result is a smooth, easy balance, with a sharp peppercorn note, a dry and mellow malt and hints of sea breeze that calms the fruitiness, as the barley lends a silky mouthfeel to an otherwise light, effervescent IPA—one so cheerful it disguises its 6.5-percent belt of alcohol. There’s a lot going on in this clever, juicy beer. Hidden Hills Brewing & Blending, 3777 The Barnyard, Carmel. 250-7311, hiddenhillscarmel.com. Juicy Couture A new IPA from Hidden Hills showcases the fineries of hops and beer style. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@mcweekly.com DAVE FARIES Cornucopia Community Market offers quality nutritious and environmentally safe products, free of artificial additives and preservatives. CURATED FOOD FROM THE HEART Your Local Health Food Store OPEN MON-FRI 9AM-7PM SAT & SUN 10AM-6PM 831-625-1454 26135 Carmel Rancho Blvd, Carmel (at the mouth of Carmel Valley) •Natural, Organic Produce •Fresh Bakery and Deli •Olive Oil/Vinegar/ Local Honey •Wine, Beer, Juice, Coffee and Tea •Fresh, Organic Dairy Products •Healthy Snacks •Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements •All Natural Bath and Body Products •Gifts and Gift Basket Ideas THIN CRUST PIZZA SALADS & CALZONES TAKE-OUT TODAY SOURDOUGH PIZZA SEASIDE’S FINEST Tues – Sat 11am – 9pm Sunday 11am – 8pm 720 BROADWAY AVE. SEASIDE PASTA & SUBS BEER ON TAP DESSERTS Are you ready for some football and pizza? Super specials for game day. KANSAS CITY PIE Barbecue chicken, bacon, roasted red pepper on a thick crust SAN FRANCISCO PIE Rainbow chard, onion, tomato and lemon zest on sourdough. 831-899-1762 DELIVERY AVAILABLE DINE-IN TOO
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