More Hops in IPAs May Mean More Health Benefits for Craft Beer Drinkers

    PORTLAND, Ore., April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- As the newest beer offering
from Widmer Brothers Brewing, Broken Halo India Pale Ale is gaining a fan
base among craft beer enthusiasts. While the well-reputed taste is what's
reeling craft beer drinkers in, newly discovered health benefits of hops in
IPAs may serve as an added bonus. Inspired by a centuries-old IPA recipe
containing higher amounts of hops than traditional beers, Broken Halo IPA
ingredients are rich in "flavonoids," micronutrients that have proven to
help prevent certain cancers as well as cardiovascular disease.
    Although hops have been prescribed as effective treatments against
anxiety, insomnia and restlessness since the 9th century, new findings give
craft beer drinkers another reason to celebrate. IPA's origins trace back
to the 19th Century when British troops stationed in India requested beer
from their homeland, but the beer's delicate balance was spoiled by the
time it reached Indian shores. British brewers bent the rules so the beer
could survive the journey; they developed a recipe requiring higher levels
of beer's natural preservatives -- hops and alcohol -- and with IPA, a new
style and flavor was born. Broken Halo pays homage to the IPA brewmasters
who challenged centuries of tradition for the betterment of beer's future.
    One of the recent studies was conducted by Fred Stevens at Linus
Pauling Institute of Oregon State University, who presented his findings in
late 2005, stating that xanthohumol, a powerful antioxidant found in
flavonoids in hops, "clearly has some interesting cancer chemo-preventive
properties, and the only way people are getting any of it right now is
through beer consumption." Furthermore, he states, "Flavonoids have aroused
considerable interest because of their potential beneficial effects on
human health. They have been reported to have antiviral, anti-allergic,
anti-platelet, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and antioxidant activities ...
certain flavonoids found in hops and beer confer surprisingly potent
antioxidant activity exceeding that of red wine, tea, or soy."
    These findings bode well for frequent Pale Ale and IPA drinkers, who
make up about a quarter of all craft beer consumers. "Rob and I are really
proud of the Broken Halo IPA recipe's taste," said Widmer Brothers Brewing
co-founder Kurt Widmer. "The fact that Broken Halo's recipe is rich in hops
and can potentially offer health benefits is purely an added bonus."
    Broken Halo uses Cascade and Columbus hops for balanced bitterness,
flavor and aroma. Bitterness is 45 IBU, alcohol by volume is 6% and
original gravity is 14.25 degrees plato. For more info on Broken Halo and
Widmer Brothers Brewing, please visit the website at
http://www.widmer.com/.
    About Widmer Brothers Brewing:
    After exploring and successfully experimenting with properties of fine
European beers in the 1970s, brothers Kurt and Rob Widmer developed a
mission to create American interpretations of authentic European beer
styles. They began brewing beer for themselves, then their friends, until
they founded Widmer Brothers Brewing in 1984 in Portland, Oregon. Over the
past two decades, brewmasters at Widmer have created deliciously original
beers and overseen the entire brewing process from fresh grains to finished
beers. Brewers of Widmer Hefeweizen, the most popular wheat beer in the
nation, the company is one of the leading breweries in the Pacific
Northwest. As the appreciation for high quality, fresh tasting,
hand-crafted beer continues to grow, so does the availability of Widmer
Brothers beers; Widmer Brothers beers are brewed in Oregon, and are
distributed across the nation at finer bars, taverns and grocers.

SOURCE Widmer Brothers Brewing