Topic Archives: Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion Series
Firestone Walker releases two new IPAs, & a new Luponic Distortion
This week, Paso Robles, California based Firestone Walker Brewing Company has released three new IPAs, including a new edition of Luponic Distortion.
The first two IPAs – El Dorado, and Motueka, were both born in Firestone Walker’s Propagator pilot brewery in Marina Del Ray. Both pilot beers are simply named for the spotlighted hop in each IPA.
- El Dorado IPA – West Coast IPA with a next-generation hop variety from the Pacific Northwest that offers soft stone fruit flavors with notes of tropical melon and pear. (5.6% ABV)
- Motueka IPA – Hazy IPA with a New Zealand-grown hop that delivers punchy flavors of tropical fruit, white grape, and lemon zest. (5.6% ABV)
The latest Luponic Distortion IPA is the 15th entry in the ongoing series. This edition features emerging hops hand-selected by Firestone Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. Per Brynildson, Luponic Distortion #15 “offers explosive fruit flavors of kiwi, lychee, and feijoa.”
Pay attention, because where to find these IPAs gets a little complicated (and we are pretty sure this is correct):
Motueka IPA is available exclusively in Firestone Walkers ‘Crafted Thru Hops’ mixed CAN packs, alongside Mind Haze, and Union Jack.
El Dorado IPA can be found in the ‘Craft Thru Hops’ mixed BOTTLE packs, with Easy Jack IPA, Luponic #15, and Union Jack.
Luponic Distortion #15 is available in 12-ounce cans, 12-ounce bottles, and draft for a limited time.
Style: IPA
Hops: Varied By Beer
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Limited Time Release.
Debut: Late February 2020
Firestone Walker grew custom hops for Luponic Distortion 13
Instead of simply selecting certain hops for the next Luponic Distortion releases, Firestone Walker went another way. Custom grown hops.
Three years ago, Firestone Walker’s brewmaster Matt Brynildson secured a deal with Hop Breeding Company’s breeders Jason Perrault and Michael Ferguson. Three acres of a special new hop cultivar was planted. According to Brynildson, it was all worth the wait.
“The tropical aspect of this hop is really crazy. It adds a distinctive dimension to the aroma profile of the beer.”
This new hop is supported by five additional hops, creating a beer that boasts “unique profile of piña colada, key lime, and nectarine.”
Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion 13 starts shipping to all of the brewery’s markets this week.
Style: IPA
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Rotating release.
Debut: Mid-June 2019
?? ABV
Image: Firestone Walker
Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion 004 features South African hops
Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion 004 is the next revolution in the ongoing series from the Paso Robles, CA based brewery. Firestone Walker, releases a new beer in the Luponic Distortion series about every 90 days, each designed to highlight a new and complex experimental hop blend.
Luponic Distortion 004 features a unique origin of hops, South Africa. While it’s not the first place that comes to mind when you think “hop farm,” when brewmaster Matt Brynildson came across these varieties he couldn’t say no. Therefore, this next release in the series is a South African forward hop profile boasting strong tropical notes.
“South Africa is a bit outside the ideal growing belt, yet these hops presented these super explosive tropical qualities—every bit as interesting as what we’ve going on here. I was saying to myself, ‘Who’s the genius down there, I’ve got to find out.'” – Matt Brynildson
Within the 7 hop blend that makes Luponic Distortion 004, 4 distinct hops from South Africa take the lead. Boasting more tropical fruit notes are two experimental hops, which also bring a bit of floral and white grape properties. The third and fourth hops bring a passion fruit note and more classically noble profile respectively.
Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion 004 will be available throughout the next 3 months nationally in cans and on draft.
Style: American IPA
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Release: November, 2016
5.9% ABV
Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion 003 debuts
Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion 003, the third edition in the brewery’s hop focused series, is now available.
Earlier this year, the Paso Robles, California bssed brewery debuted the Distortion Series, something brewer Matt Brynildson has always wanted. Something very hoppy. Experimental. No restraints. Plus, the beer changes every 90 days.
Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion 003 is a blend of nine different hops, with characteristics of the first two releases, plus something new.
Brynildson found a new German hop on a Hallertau trip to Germany. It’s so new, it doesn’t have a name yet. It boasts a juicy Mandarin orange flavor, while still being very distinctly German.
“It probably wasn’t supposed to be shared for brewing on a commercial scale, but they knew we were excited about it.”
Hailing from the Pacific Northwest is another hop – Comet. This hop rose out of the wave that brought Centennial and Cascade hops into use.
Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion 003 boasts a strong juicy and fruity flavor, 100% derived from hops. Available in 12 ounce cans for the next three months.
Style: American IPA
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Release: September, 2016
5.9% ABV
Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion 002, aka evolution #2
Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion 002 marks the second iteration of the brewery’s new for 2016 “Luponic” series. The beer changes or as the brewery puts it – “evolves” every 90 days.
Firestone Luponic Distortion started as a specialty draft release. Firestone Walker’s brewer Matt Brynildson was setting the stage for a beer he’s always wanted. Something very hoppy. No restraints.
The first edition, a.k.a. Revolution 001, dropped in March. Revolution 002 hops have been “remixed” to give the beer a new twist.
What twist? Luponic 002 leads with a new hop from the Pacific Northwest. Per Brynildson, the hops boast peachy and tropical/papaya notes. Additionally, he used German and New Zealand hops. All in all, three hops Firestone Walker has never used before.
“The southern hemisphere hops add these bright Sauvignon Blanc-like accents of grapefruit and gooseberry, and there’s this new variety out of Europe that ties everything together with honeydew aromas and an underlying herbal pine quality.” – Matt Brynildson
Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion 002 is available in 12 ounce cans for the next 90 days. Then – expect Revolution 003.
Style: American IPA
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Release: July, 2016
5.9% ABV
