Dream Hop

The portrait

Dream Hop is a creation as bold as it is ephemeral, the result of an unexpected trans-European collaboration between La Nébuleuse and the Swedish brewery Beerbliotek. This "New Peruvian IPA" is distinguished by its signature ingredient: morado corn, the ancestral Peruvian purple corn that gives the beer a unique purple hue and a decidedly original character.

Visually, Dream Hop boasts a striking purple color that leaves no one indifferent. As tasters point out, it's "purple and hoppy." This experimental beer pushes the boundaries of the IPA style by integrating a traditional Andean grain into a modern, highly hopped recipe, creating a flavor bridge between two continents.

The generous hopping brings the characteristic notes of an IPA—citrus, resin, perhaps even exotic touches—while the purple corn adds a subtle cereal dimension and a light sweetness that balances the bitterness. This unique beer in the La Nébuleuse catalog is a testament to the spirit of exploration that drives the Vaud-based brewery and its desire to constantly push the boundaries of craft brewing.

The story

The story of Dream Hop is that of an imaginary trans-European encounter. As the poetic description of this beer evokes: "Sailing through tumultuous seas towards Gothenburg, blasting the Titanic soundtrack" – sailing through tumultuous seas towards Gothenburg, with the Titanic soundtrack playing in the background. La Nébuleuse's Zeppelin symbolically crossed the Baltic to join the friends of Beerbliotek, a renowned Swedish brewery, to create this unique Peruvian IPA.

This collaboration perfectly embodies La Nébuleuse's philosophy : brewing isn't just about technique, but also about building bridges between cultures, continents, and brewing traditions. The choice of morado corn, Peru's iconic grain traditionally used in drinks like chicha morada, demonstrates a curiosity that goes beyond the usual European and North American borders.

Dream Hop is one of those ephemeral beers that mark the history of a brewery with their audacity and uniqueness, even if their existence was brief.

Food and beer pairings

With its hoppy IPA profile and Peruvian purple corn base, Dream Hop called for creative pairings:

Latin American Cuisine : A Peruvian ceviche with citrus notes would have resonated perfectly with the hoppiness of the IPA and a nod to morado corn. Argentinian beef empanadas would also have worked well with this characterful beer.

Grilling : Like any good IPA, Dream Hop would have paired wonderfully with barbecued meats, where the bitterness of the hops contrasts with the smoky and caramelized flavors.

Cheeses : A hard-cooked cheese like aged Comté or a strong blue cheese (Stilton, Roquefort) would have stood up to the strong personality of this IPA.

Spicy cuisine : An Indian curry or a spicy Thai dish, where the hops bring freshness and counterbalance the heat of the spices.

The final word

Dream Hop will be remembered as one of La Nébuleuse's most daring collaborations—a purple IPA that dared to marry Peruvian tradition with European craftsmanship. Brewed in limited quantities in early 2018, it embodies the spirit of limitless experimentation that characterizes great craft breweries. For those who have had the privilege of tasting it, it remains a purple, hoppy memory, proof that in the world of craft beer, the only limits are those of the imagination.

Cheers! 🍻

The recipe