Brewer Q & A (Issue 19)

93 Rating - Matt Brewing Co. - Legacy IPA

Responses are from Matt Brewing's quality and innovation manager, Rich Michaels.

BC: Who came up with this beer’s recipe? 
Rich: The recipe is based on an old IPA recipe from a little over 100 years ago. The old recipe listed domestic and imported hops. Based on what was used at the time, we deduced Cluster and Kent Goldings. We were able to source some old growth Cluster out west, we also procured some Kent Goldings. The ambiguity of the original recipe allowed for some modern interpretation with Citra, Centennial and Simcoe hops added to modernize the taste profile. We brewed it in our pilot brewery and quickly scaled up production.

BC: What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)?
Rich: The light color and low malt profile. The malt bill was based on the old recipe -- lager malt indicated a light color in the beer. The lower malt character allows the hops to come through nicely.

BC: Where does this beer’s name come from?
Rich: At Matt Brewing, beer is our Legacy. We have made craft beer in three different centuries. There are not may places in America where you can brew with that type of history. 

BC: Is this your “desert island beer?”
Rich: Cold and fresh is important. I am partial to the beers that come out of our pilot brewery, such as Legacy. We are doing some great things quality-wise and we are always working on interesting new products. If I had to pick one I don't make, it would probably be Founders Porter. I enjoyed it when I brewed there and still enjoy it years later. There are not many beers that you keep near the top of your list for 15+ years.

BC: Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
Rich: Hop-forward, golden, citrusy and piney.

BC: Do you know a story -- or have a personal story -- that revolves around this beer?
Rich: Not so much for the beer, but a funny story about asking for a job at Matt Brewing years ago. When I first started brewing school back in the early 1990's, I asked F.X Matt II for a job, and he turned me down. He said he appreciated my enthusiasm about craft beer, but the brewery was struggling and had employees to lay off. Things have definitely changed for the better over the last 20 years!