Kent Ball, the Director of Quality Control at Big Grove Brewery of Solon, Iowa, gave us some added insight into their recent Hoover project. Kent was a home brewer for 15 years before he continued his passion at Big Grove for the last eight years. He was able to give us a better understanding of Thirty-One, the special beer brewed for Herbert Hoover’s 150th birthday, available exclusively during Hoover’s Hometown Days.
It is important to first note Herbert Hoover’s connection with Belgium. People in Northern France and Belgium were starving at the onset of World War I. Herbert Hoover, in a feat of humanitarian accomplishment, found a way to feed 9.5 million people daily for four years.
Herbert Hoover overseeing relief effort work.
This story inspired the creation of a Belgian-style wheat ale with a touch of honey and hint of citrus. Kent wanted to note that the prominent beer notes were created through the brewing process and not with any addition of actual honey and citrus, though those can sometimes be used during the brewing process. The type of hops used creates the citrus note, and the malt adds a bit of honey.
Kent says this is a style of beer that has fallen out of vogue. As he put it, “People all want the new exciting stuff. Let the beer taste like beer.” He said he gravitates toward taking to make beer; make it shine. With Thirty-One, he says the flavor comes through nicely, not heavy.
We did a taste test to get our own impressions of this limited-edition beer. It was unanimous that this is a great summer offering.
“It’s a nice, refreshing summer beer. Great for festivals.” -Casey Winders, Marketing and Communications Intern, Hoover Presidential Foundation
“The summer beer you didn’t know you were missing.” -Ryan Johnson, Finance Manager, Hoover Presidential Foundation
“The citrus really comes through. It’s a terrific summer beer.” -David Ancelet, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications, Hoover Presidential Foundation
You can get your pour of Thirty-One at the Hoover Beer Tent near the entrance of Downey and Main at Hoover’s Hometown Days on Saturday, August 10. Cheers!
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