Meet Scuttlebutt’s new brut IPA and the woman who brewed it

Female brewers around the world celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8 by brewing collaboration brews in what’s come to be known as Pink Boots Collaboration Brew Day.

For Amber Rogers, it was just like any other brew day.

The Scuttlebutt assistant brewer recently took on a special assignment from head brewer Eric Nord: Brew a brut IPA. Curious about the new style, Nord told Rogers to research recipes and brew a couple of batches on the brewery’s two-barrel pilot system.

“My initial thought was that it’s a strange thing: an IPA without even a hint of bitterness,” Rogers said. “After researching a bit, I got excited that there aren’t a lot of rules because it’s such new style. With so few rules, there were so many possibilities.”

The Scuttlebutt brew team liked one of Rogers’ pilot batches so much they decided to make the brut IPA Scuttlebutt’s spring seasonal release. Cashmere Dreams is a brut IPA made with two-row barley and flaked rice and Cashmere and Mosaic hops.

“We’re really happy with it,” Nord said. “Cashmere hops are a delicate hop and the light body really helps them express.”

Since the first hops weren’t added until after the boil, the beer has a big aroma and flavor of hops without the bitterness. Rogers used amylase enzyme in the boil and in fermentation to break down all the starch and complex sugars into glucose, helping the beer finish with a gravity of zero and giving the beer a dry flavor profile with a hint of fruit.

“I’m happy with how it turned out,” Rogers said. “It’s totally dry, but the flavor and aroma are so fruity that it gives the impression of sweetness. … I think we nailed it.”

Cashmere Dreams was Rogers’ final beer at Scuttlebutt. She moved to Tennessee when her husband, Wayne, who is in the Navy, was stationed a Millington Navy Base near Memphis.

“I hope to find a place that I love as much as Scuttlebutt here,” she said.

“Scuttlebutt was like a beautiful, magical dream for me,” Rogers continued. “I had responsibility for plenty of typical, essential tasks, but still so much freedom to collaborate with my colleagues and be creative.”

Nord continues to experiment on the brewery’s pilot system. Scuttlebutt is releasing the Cashmere Dreams pilot batches in four packs of 16-ounce cans as part of its Bright Program. The brewery also recently released Lemon Drop Pale Ale and Orange Ginger Cream Ale. Next month, Nord anticipates releasing Scuttlebutt’s barrel-aged Scotch ale in cans.

The Bright Program cans are available in the taproom and restaurant, as well as select bottleshops like Toggle’s Bottleshop and Special Brews.

DRINK THIS

Cashmere Dreams

Scuttlebutt Brewing, Everett

Style: Brut IPA

Stats: 7.2 percent ABV, 15 IBU

Available: In 12-ounce cans and on draft at both Scuttlebutt locations, and in select taprooms and bottleshops.

From the brewery: “This Brut IPA is crisp and clean, with an aroma that jumps out of the glass. Brewed with tons of Cashmere and Mosaic hops, Cashmere Dream boasts heavy flavors of passion fruit, apricot and tangerine.”

Taster tray

Dance Epidemic, Skookum Brewery/Wander Brewing: This easy drinking spring IPA is a made with oats, wheat and spelt, and hopped with Sabro, Nelson and Idaho 7, creating layers of lime, vanilla, white grape and citrus. Available on tap at the brewery.

Hysteria Hazy, Sumerian Brewing: Brewed with loads of Mosaic hops, this aromatic hop bomb has loads of tropical and juicy flavors. Available on tap at the brewery.

Taster tray

Dance Epidemic, Skookum Brewery/Wander Brewing: This easy drinking spring IPA is a made with oats, wheat and spelt, and hopped with Sabro, Nelson and Idaho 7, creating layers of lime, vanilla, white grape and citrus. Available on tap at the brewery.

Hysteria Hazy, Sumerian Brewing: Brewed with loads of Mosaic hops, this aromatic hop bomb has loads of tropical and juicy flavors. Available on tap at the brewery.