At Eight Arch Brewing, we’re always keen to explore the diversity that single-hop beers can bring to the craft beer world. Our Pendulum Series is exactly that, we want to offer you the chance to experience unique hop profiles in their single form. This time, we’re excited to unveil Pendulum Audacia, the latest release in the series featuring a bold, new hop from Oregon’s Indie Hops.
Audacia: A Bold New Chapter in Hop Innovation
Audacia is an exciting hop that emerged from the Indie Hops Flavour Project, an initiative that aims to push the boundaries of what hops can bring to beer. Part of their 2023 harvest, Audacia is one of the first hops bred specifically for its striking balance between modern fruity flavors and noble-style characteristics. This makes it not just a new hop, but shows how craft beer is continuing to evolve and where hop breeding is headed—bold, complex, yet balanced enough to suit a wide range of beer styles.
The Sassy Noble Hop: Audacia’s Flavor Profile
What makes Audacia stand out? It’s often described as a “sassy noble hop,” a nod to its blend of traditional and innovative qualities. The hop’s aroma and flavor are complex, offering a fresh, fruity nose with notes of red berries, strawberries, and red currants, layered with a gentle floral backbone. The result is a beer that feels both familiar but also new. In many ways, it bridges the gap between the noble hops used in classic European styles and the fruit-forward hops we are all now used to in modern craft brewing.
What also sets Audacia apart is its mild bitterness. This means the beer stays sessionable and light, while the fruity, floral, and herbal flavors keep vibrant and balanced. For Pendulum Audacia, this translates into a brew that has moreish flavours of lingonberry and pomegranate mingle with the soft malt base and bitterness.
Brewing with Audacia: The Inspiration Behind Pendulum Audacia
When we decided to feature Audacia in our Pendulum Series, we knew we were tapping into something special. At Eight Arch, we’re always looking for hops that bring something new to the table, and Audacia certainly delivers. By using it in a single-hop beer, we’re able to fully showcase the hop’s character without any distractions. It’s the star of the show, allowing you to experience its bright fruitiness, soft floral notes, and refined bitterness in every sip.
Audacia’s complexity also gave us the opportunity to experiment with the brewing process, finding the perfect balance between its vibrant fruity elements and clean crispness. The result is Pendulum Audacia, a beer that highlights the hop’s multi-layered character in all its glory.
Tasting Notes: What to Expect from Pendulum Audacia
Pendulum Audacia pours with a bright golden hue and a light, creamy head, with a rich aroma. On the nose, you’ll pick up those signature red berry notes—think strawberries and red currants—blended with subtle floral hints that evoke the noble hops of classic European beers. Take a sip, and the fruity flavors burst forth of lingonberry and pomegranate, balanced by a mild herbal bitterness and soft malt base that cleanses the palate with each sip.
The mouthfeel is smooth and light, with just enough bitterness to give the beer structure without overwhelming the fruity and floral elements. The finish is crisp and clean, making Pendulum Audacia a highly drinkable beer that’s perfect for both casual sipping and pairing with food.
The Future of Single-Hop Beers: Why Audacia Matters
As hop breeding continues to evolve, beers like Pendulum Audacia showcase the potential for hops to be more than just background bitterness in beer. Audacia represents a new direction in hop development—one where the flavours are complex yet balanced, modern yet rooted in tradition. Indie Hops has crafted something pretty special with this hop, and we’re proud to be among the first UK breweries to showcase it.
The Pendulum Series is all about discovery, if you’re a fan of complex yet balanced beers, Pendulum Audacia offers something truly unique—a beer that feels both familiar and new, with every sip revealing something different.
Join Us at the Taproom for the First Pour
Want to be among the first to try Pendulum Audacia? Join us at our taproom for the first pour of this exciting new release. We’re proud to introduce this beer to the Eight Arch , and we can’t wait to hear what you think.
Cheers to great hops, great beer, and the endless possibilities ahead with the Pendulum Series!