Ecliptic Brewing is keeping their next Cosmic Collaboration beer close to home, as they’ve paired with Portland’s Breakside Brewery to create a Nectarine Sour Ale. 

In celebration of Ecliptic’s fifth anniversary, the company is releasing a “5 Years/5 Beers” series, and the collaboration beer with Breakside is third in the launch. Ecliptic Brewing owner and Brewmaster, John Harris, worked with Breakside’s Brewmaster, Ben Edmunds, to create the recipe, and the result is a thirst-quenching beer that will help kick off the summer season. The ale is brewed with pale and Munich malts, wheat and oats, but what provides its unique, fruity flavor is both pureed and fresh nectarines. A touch of coriander and Ecliptic’s house lactobacillus strain add to the classic sour ale flavor profile.

Says Harris, “Ben and I are really stoked to do our first collab. We jumped right on the sour style, and Ben suggested Nectarines. It’s great to have such awesome friends in the craft beer industry”.

The Nectarine Sour Ale will also be released in both draft and 500ml bottles throughout Ecliptic Brewing’s distribution network.

About Ecliptic’s Cosmic Collaboration Nectarine Sour Ale

In celebration of Ecliptic Brewing’s fifth year of passage through this awesome star system we call home, they are teaming up with five esteemed breweries to brew five beers of cosmic significance. Space can feel a bit lonely, so here’s to making the journey with friends! Brewed with Breakside Brewmaster Ben Edmunds.

ABV 8.2%

IBU 10

About Ecliptic Brewing

Ecliptic Brewing is a venture from John Harris, an Oregon beer icon whose background is steeped in the state’s rich craft brewing history. The name Ecliptic unites Harris’ two passions: brewing and astronomy. As such, the brewery celebrates the Earth’s yearly journey around the sun through both its beer and restaurant menus. Harris’ signature beers include Starburst IPA, Orbiter IPA, Carina Peach Sour Ale and Capella Porter.

Ecliptic Brewery let me try some samples of the Nectarine Sour Ale. I love a good sour ale and can often be found checking out sour beers at Cascade Brewing, however, I found this beer VERY, very sour with only a slight nectarine fruit flavor. I would just call it a sour ale with a hint of nectarine.

Stone Head Cambodia Co Ltd. announces the next step on its mission to bring Cambodian Craft Beer to the domestic market.

With a range of 10 unique beers fusing locally inspired flavors and master brewing techniques, they have been brewing at their Craft brewery in Koh Kong since 2015.

Until now Stone Head has focused on establishing an export network to the more developed Thailand and Singapore markets; but with growing domestic demand in Craft Beer they are ideally placed to provide for international and Khmer enthusiasts alike the opportunity to take pride in supporting a local producer.

With an established national sales and distribution network and increasing penetration into the retail and trade sector, they hope that same day delivery will further grow the Craft Community and allow more consumers to enjoy Craft Beer in the comfort of their own home.

Selling mixed and whole cases, customers can order beer online before 9am to receive the same day anywhere in Phnom Penh; with plans to expand to other provinces to suit customer demand.

A spokesperson said ‘With the growth in demand for unique, quality Craft Beer in Cambodia reaching beyond the traditional expat and tourism market; Khmer beer lovers now have a greater opportunity to take pride in their choice to support a domestic Craft brewer. A Cambodian brand who shares their passion for quality beer and independence. Stone Head, with this launch, provides a range of 10 beers to enjoy whether they are at home, hosting a party or simply joining friends for an evening out.’

Established in 2015, Stone Head Cambodia is a rapidly growing craft brewery based out of Koh Kong, Cambodia. Stone Head Cambodia is committed to crafting high-quality, consistent brews and has garnered a loyal local and international following and a strong reputation for its unique beers. Since inception Stone Head Cambodia has also been brewing guest beers and helping small independent enthusiasts realise their potential. The brewery has won numerous awards including “World’s Best Beer 2017” by The World Beer Awards for its The Dark Side Stout. Stone Head Cambodia’s mission has always been that it is about more than beer, it’s community – and supporting the current craft movement.

Happy New Year! For those of you who don’t know. I’ve been working on re-launching an idea of mine from a few years ago, Hop Hands. A way to carry a growler of beer – classical glass, Hydroflasks, 50/50 growers, along with wine bottles and “bombers” (22 oz. beer bottles) – six different ways on a bicycle. As I gear up for 2019, I thought I would share a little update.

As one of my favorite 90s singers once said, “It is a growing process.  You can’t just like beer. You have to start somewhere and learn the different flavors.”  (If you are wondering who that singer was – it’s Isaac Hanson, of Mmmbop fame.)

Like learning to like beer, learning to run a business and navigate life is a growing process.  For those of you who don’t know, in the fall of 2017, I moved to Phnom Penh, Cambodia to work for a local non-government organization (NGO) working with victims who have been rescued from human trafficking.  At the same time, Emily was transitioning out of her role at Bridgetown Inc. Emily and her husband were looking for a new adventure. A few signatures later and I’ve become the sole owner of Hop Hands.

Most of 2018, was spent adjusting to a new culture, my new job and learning Khmer.  (Fun fact: the Khmer alphabet is the longest alphabet in the world, consisting of 74 letters.)  I was able to continue to ideate and network for relationships for Hop Hands here in Cambodia. In early 2018, I was connected to another local Cambodian NGO that works with polio victims and disadvantaged women to teach sewing skills.

VillageWorks creates more than just handicrafts.  They are really building the lives of the villagers they work with.  Behind each product they produce, you help support the whole person (or people) who helped create an amazing item.  You support their family and build up lives. This allows villagers to break free from their poverty cycle and find hope in life.

In case you were wondering, it is estimated that 26% of the adult population of Cambodia is illiterate.  18.6% of the population lives below the international poverty life of $1.25/day (USD). 31.4% of children in Cambodia received inadequate care and 36.1% of children are working in child labor.  Cambodia is also a source, transit and destination country for human trafficking.

Partnering with an organization like VillageWorks makes sense, not only for the amazing professionalism they encompass here in Cambodia but how encouraging they are to their teams to create amazing products and support one another.

On top of that in 2016, VillageWorks secured guaranteed membership from the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO).  WFTO is a global network of over 400 organizations and individuals in over 70 countries across the world.  They represent millions of artisans and farmers, most of whom are indigenous people, physically-challenged persons and women.  WFTO prescribes 10 Principles that all Fair Trade Organizations must follow in their day-to-day work and carries out monitoring to ensure these principles are upheld:

1. Creating Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers
2. Transparency and Accountability
3. Fair Trading Practices
4. Payment of a Fair Price
5. Ensuring no Child Labor and Forced Labor
6. Commitment to Non Discrimination, Gender Equality and Freedom of Association
7. Ensuring Good Working Conditions
8. Providing Capacity Building
9. Promoting Fair Trade
10. Respect for the Environment

When it comes to respecting the environment, the newest version of Hop Hands does not disappoint.  Made from 85% recycled and upcycled products (basically everything but the buckles is recycled). It features the classic southeast Asian recycled fish food or cement bags that offer a little homage from the place of its creation.  Just like before the outside is made of a durable black canvas, although this canvas is sourced from scrap materials left over from larger factories in the area.

Examples of products used in the newest version of the Hop Hands.  Sample version of the Hop Hands, ethically sourced and made in Cambodia.

2019 is shaping up to be a good year for Hop Hands, but I need your help!

1. Sign up here to be a beta tester.  Since growlers are in (expensive) limited supply here in Cambodia and hardly no one rides bikes in the city of Phnom Penh.  I need some amazing beta testers to help me with the next round of product testing. This means you’ll get access to the latest Hop Hands available in early 2019.
2. Invite friends to like our Facebook and Instagram channels.  As we get ready to roll out our newest launch.  We need your help getting more beer and bike enthusiast interested in learning more about Hop Hands.
3. Got questions?  Email me directly.  I’d love to chat about Cambodia, Hop Hands, ethical sourcing and more with you.

Once again, thank you for following the Hop Hands journey.  I hope you had an amazing holiday season and hope 2019 is just as exciting for you as it is for Hop Hands.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Cheers!

Jenna Forstrom

Hop Hands Founder

jenna@hophands.com