Craft beer has been gaining popularity in recent years, with beer enthusiasts constantly on the lookout for new and exciting brews to try. One organization that has had a significant impact on the craft beer industry is the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI). While many may not be familiar with the BTI, its influence is undeniable when it comes to recognizing and celebrating top-quality beers.
Established in 1981 as an international wine competition, the BTI expanded its scope in 1994 to include beer, spirits, cider, and sake. The organization’s mission evolved to encompass ongoing product evaluation based on ASTM standards, setting it apart from traditional competitions. The BTI employs a sensory panel of experts who apply a scientific methodology to evaluate beverages, with some panelists even holding scientific backgrounds. This approach ensures that the evaluations are thorough and objective, leading to consistent and reliable results.
Unlike other competitions that have annual winners, the BTI maintains a constantly updated list on its website featuring the top-scoring beverages each month. With scores that can reach up to 100, achieving perfection is rare in the eyes of the BTI experts. However, some exceptional brews come close to this ideal, such as the Hazy IPA from Fremont Brewing that wowed the tasters with a score of 98 points.
Fremont Brewing, a highly-regarded craft brewery based in Seattle, WA, captured the attention of the BTI with its Hazy IPA from the Head Full of Dynomite series. The Version 33 of this hazy offering impressed the tasters with its complex flavor profile, described as “Hazy light gold color. Aromas of orange oil, pineapple, mango, cannabis, and apricot.” This exceptional brew received high praise from the BTI, marking it as their top-scoring IPA and one of the few beverages to achieve such recognition.
Following the success of Version 33, Fremont Brewing continued to innovate and release new iterations of the Head Full of Dynomite series. While each version features a unique hops and malt profile, they all maintain the signature characteristics that made Version 33 a standout. The brewery’s commitment to quality and consistency is evident in each release, ensuring that beer enthusiasts can enjoy a diverse range of high-quality brews from Fremont Brewing.
Despite the limited availability of certain versions of the Head Full of Dynomite series, Fremont Brewing remains committed to providing craft beer lovers with access to their innovative creations. The release of Version 56, with its distinctive flavors and comparable mouthfeel to its predecessor, demonstrates the brewery’s dedication to evolving and expanding their product offerings. With 4-packs of Version 56 readily available at an affordable price, craft beer enthusiasts can continue to experience the excellence and creativity of Fremont Brewing.
The Beverage Testing Institute plays a crucial role in recognizing and celebrating exceptional craft beers like Fremont Brewing’s Hazy IPA. With its rigorous evaluation process and commitment to ongoing recognition, the BTI contributes to the growth and diversification of the craft beer industry. Craft breweries like Fremont Brewing benefit from the feedback and validation provided by the BTI, allowing them to continue producing innovative and high-quality brews for beer enthusiasts to enjoy.