SMASHadelic

About This Beer

SMASHadelic came from a kit by League of Brewers in Nelson, designed specifically to showcase Superdelic — a new NZ hop variety that was generating significant interest at the time. The concept was simple: one grain, one hop, maximum hop focus.

6.3 kg of Maris Otter Pale Ale Malt provides a clean, biscuity base with good mouthfeel. All 250g of Superdelic (11.6% AA) is distributed across five additions: 60 minutes, 10 minutes, 5 minutes, a 15-minute whirlpool at 80°C, and a Day 7 dry hop. BRY-97, rehydrated before pitching (League of Brewers noted that dry pitching can lose up to 50% cell viability).

The recipe was built around a “light coloured and hoppy” water profile — sulfate pushed to 145 ppm against 36 ppm chloride for a sharp, hop-accentuating ratio of roughly 4:1 — with a clean 64.8 IBU coming entirely from Superdelic. On paper it targeted OG 1.065 and FG 1.015 for 6.6% ABV.

In the glass it ran drier than designed: OG came in at 1.058 and BRY-97 took it all the way down to 1.008 — around 86% apparent attenuation, well past the strain’s usual 75% — for 6.56% ABV. 23 litres bottled with 140g dextrose on 25 June 2023.