Broeders (Brothers) hop
In a short time, VandeStreek Bier has become one of the best craft brewers in the Netherlands. Not so strange considering the success of their alcohol-free Playground beers. It is hard to brew that well, so it is almost only logical that beers from this Utrecht brewery with alcohol are at minimum just as fantastic. Broeders (meaning Brothers) is a good example, with 3 hop varieties from Hollands Hophuis.
Broeders is brewed with 3 of the more traditional varieties from Germany: Magnum, Saphir and Hersbrucker Spät. Here you can read more about these hops and their role in VandeStreek Broeders.
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Magnum
The Alpha powerhouse. The percentage of alpha acid is always high, but varies per harvest. The one in 2021 was exceptional with a percentage of 16.9%. Magnum gives a crisp, clean bitter and is therefore widely used as a hop for bittering. The plant is highly resistant to disease and the hop cones are huge.
Saphir
Hops developed as an alternative to Hallertau Mittelfrüh, as is often the case in order to obtain a plant that is more resistant to disease. In addition, Saphir has a unique aroma reminiscent of orange blossom, fresh flowers and pepper. It is the star of perhaps the most famous Hopfenweisse: Tap 5 by Schneider Weisse. A banger of a Weizen-doublebock at 8.2%, generously hopped with Saphir, both in the kettle and dry-hop.
Hersbrucker Spät
The most traditional of the Broeders' hops, which are native to the Hersbruck region. Therefore we can call this a Landrace hop. Not crossed by humans, but originated by nature. At Hollands Hophuis, we love these varieties, which have been closely linked to the soil in which they grow for centuries. Hersbrucker Spät is a powerful hop, which is naturally resistant to diseases. Its aroma is subtle and complex, perfect for a beer like Broeders.
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Ronald (left) and Sander van de Streek, brothers and founders of VandeStreek Bier.
Broeders Wheat Blond
Wheat malt gives a nice full body to the beer, which creates a balance with the hops. Tasteful and refreshing in one, as you would expect from a blonde beer. Our German hops give a flowery and spicy aroma with a hint of citrus fruit. In the finish, Magnum delivers a clean, crisp bitterness. Broeders is recognisable as a blonde, but with its own character, which means that it is not a 1000-in-a-Dozen beer.
Broeders is part of VandeStreek's core range and is therefore widely available at several Dutch (online) beer shops and in the better supermarkets. You can also find it in the pubs and restaurants, especially in Utrecht (Netherlands) of course. Or you can order it (in cans) at VandeStreek, directly from the brewery! (Dutch).