Celebrating 25 Years of Simcoe®
Hop Tribe: Celebrating 25 Years of Simcoe® with JW Lees, Sureshot Brewery & Yakima Chief
Some beers are brewed for the moment. Others are brewed for history. Hop Tribe, our latest release from The Boilerhouse at JW Lees, is a little of both; a vibrant, flavour-packed tribute to the 25th anniversary of the iconic Simcoe® hop.
This collaboration brought together three distinct forces in the beer world:
- The Boilerhouse, our craft inspired small-batch microbrewery at JW Lees.
- Sureshot Brewery, Manchester’s masters of hop-forward, flavour-driven beers.
- Yakima Chief Hops, the farmer-owned hop supplier behind Simcoe® and many of the world’s most beloved hops.
Together, we’ve created a beer that celebrates innovation, craftsmanship, and community.
The Boilerhouse: Tradition meets innovation
Behind a green door in the brewery yard lies The Boilerhouse, where JW Lees’ brewing heritage meets creative experimentation. Our main brewery dates back to 1828, but founded in 2018, The Boilerhouse allows us to push boundaries by playing with hop profiles, new yeast strains, and brewing methods, while still being rooted in nearly two centuries of brewing experience.
For Hop Tribe, our role was to create the perfect stage for Simcoe® to shine. We worked closely with Sureshot and Yakima Chief to design a recipe that showcased the hop’s trademark aromas; think bright citrus, passionfruit, pine, and a subtle earthy backbone.
Sureshot Brewery: Manchester’s Hop-Focused Powerhouse
Sureshot Brewery have made a name for themselves as one of the UK’s most exciting breweries, renowned for bold, hop-forward beers that balance creativity with drinkability.
For Hop Tribe, their expertise in extracting the most from a single hop variety was invaluable. They brought fresh ideas on late hopping and dry-hopping schedules, ensuring Simcoe® took centre stage without overpowering the beer’s balance. Their passion for hops is infectious, and their input ensured Hop Tribe delivers layers of flavour that evolve with every sip.
Yakima Chief Hops: The Farmers Behind the Flavour
Behind every great hop is a story, and Yakima Chief Hops have been telling that story for over 30 years. As a grower-owned hop supplier based in the Pacific Northwest, they connect brewers with the world’s finest hops while supporting sustainable farming practices.
Simcoe®, first released in 2000, quickly became a modern classic. Known for its complex yet approachable flavour profile, it’s been the backbone of countless legendary beers. Hop Tribe was brewed to honour 25 years since its release, and Yakima Chief’s insight into the hop’s history, growing conditions, and unique character was central to our process.
Hop Tribe: A Celebration in a Glass
The result of this three-way collaboration is Hop Tribe; a beer that’s as much about people as it is about hops. Pouring a golden straw hue with a bright white head, it bursts with aromas of ripe mango, zesty grapefruit, fresh pine, and subtle herbal undertones. On the palate, you’ll find a perfect balance between juicy fruit and clean bitterness, making it endlessly drinkable.
It’s a beer for hop lovers, but also for those who appreciate the craft, heritage, and innovation that make beers like this possible.
Three Breweries, One Tribe
At its heart, Hop Tribe is about coming together. The Boilerhouse brought the heritage and the kit, Sureshot brought the hop-forward creativity, and Yakima Chief brought the hops and the deep-rooted farming knowledge. Together, we’ve brewed something that celebrates not just 25 years of Simcoe®, but the spirit of collaboration that keeps the brewing world exciting.
Raise a glass with us to Simcoe®, to great beer, and to the people who make it happen.
