Amalgam Brewing 'Nectaron Cowboy' Single Hop Pale Ale, Colorado

One hop variety sets the direction for Amalgam Brewing 'Nectaron Cowboy' Single Hop Pale Ale. This 6.2% ABV American pale ale spotlights New Zealand’s Nectaron, a variety celebrated for tropical fruit, stone fruit, and citrus aromatics. It represents the hop-focused side of Amalgam’s evolving Denver brewing project, offering an opportunity to explore a distinctive ingredient through a single-hop beer.

Product Details:

• Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 6.2%.
• Hop Variety: Nectaron.
• Hop Origin: New Zealand.
• Hop Approach: Single-hop pale ale.
• Owners: Eric Schmidt and Phil Joyce.
• Brewer: Phil Joyce.

Sensory Description:

Nectaron’s aromatic signature provides the reference point for this single-hop release. The variety is known for pineapple and passionfruit, alongside peach and grapefruit, spanning tropical richness, stone-fruit sweetness and citrus lift. Nectaron Cowboy’s focused hop selection makes it an interesting pour for exploring how those characteristics appear in a pale ale, with attention to the relationship between aroma, malt and hop bitterness as the beer opens in the glass.

Brewer’s Background:

Eric Schmidt and Phil Joyce launched Amalgam in 2017 through an alternating proprietorship at Powder Keg Brewing Company. Their early work centered on barrel-aged and mixed-culture beers, drawing inspiration from food, farming, and wine. After establishing a Denver blendery, the partners broadened the project to include fresh hoppy ales and lagers, using production space at Bierstadt Lagerhaus. Joyce leads the brewing work, while the pair’s shared emphasis on experimentation keeps Amalgam open to different styles and approaches.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve around 44–50°F in a tulip or gently tapered beer glass to concentrate the hop aromas. Fish tacos with mango salsa, grilled shrimp with lime, ginger chicken and vegetable skewers offer useful pairings for a Nectaron-focused pale ale. For snacks, try lightly salted tortilla chips, roasted cashews or a mild cheddar. Keep refrigerated and enjoy fresh to preserve the hop character.