Present Time: When Tradition Meets Modern Hop Breeding
Can a brand-new American hop create a world-class pilsner without losing the elegance of a traditional noble variety?
That was the question behind Present Time, a collaboration between Indie Hops and Amalgam Brewing, brewed at Bierstadt Lagerhaus using 100% Lórien®, one of Indie Hops' newest cultivars.
Lórien wasn't chosen to imitate Saaz or Hallertau. It was selected because it shares many of the qualities brewers love about noble hops—soft bitterness, refined aromatics, and exceptional drinkability, while bringing a subtle modern twist.
The beer was brewed using classic German lager techniques, including decoction mashing, flotation, low-temperature fermentation with 34/70 yeast, and eight weeks of lagering. The result was a Contemporary American Pilsner that showcased Lórien's unique personality without sacrificing the clean, elegant profile expected from the style.
According to the brewers, Lórien delivered:
- Bright Meyer lemon zest
- Honeysuckle and delicate floral notes
- White tea
- A subtle hint of underripe melon
- A remarkably soft, noble-like bitterness
One of the most interesting observations came from the way Lórien integrated into the beer. Rather than dominating the aroma, it complemented the malt and fermentation character, enhancing drinkability instead of competing for attention. As the brewers described it, the hop was "there, but in such a complimentary way that it just integrates with the present moment", the inspiration behind the beer's name.
The project also highlights a broader trend in hop breeding. Instead of replacing classic European noble varieties, modern cultivars like Lórien are being developed to build on their strengths, offering brewers new agronomic advantages while preserving the elegance and balance that make traditional lagers so compelling.
For brewers, that's an exciting prospect. It proves that innovation doesn't always mean chasing bigger tropical aromas or higher oil content. Sometimes, innovation means creating a hop that respects tradition while offering new possibilities in the brewhouse.
Projects like Present Time are a reminder that the future of brewing isn't about choosing between old and new, it's about finding the right place where both can coexist.
Curious about how Lórien performed in the brewhouse and what the brewers learned from the project? Read the full story on the Indie Hops website and discover why Present Time is such an exciting look at the future of contemporary pilsners.