Fresh Hop 2020

Discussion in 'Northwest' started by BBThunderbolt, Aug 11, 2020.

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  1. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It's almost time! Here's the catch-all FH thread for the NW this year.

    I've mentioned that I'm a bit skeptical how FH season is gonna play out this year (can shortage, lid shortage, oh hey, a world-wide pandemic that's hitting the area where hops are grown pretty hard.....), and on my FB feed today a couple brewers were talking about it. One generally makes 3 different FH brews, and is only doing one this year, and the other, because he is now the only person in his brewery (had to lay-off his staff), he doesn't package, and with retail accounts still not moving lots of draft yet, is going to not make any.

    Post up facts, thoughts, wishes, rumors, and results!
     
    #1 BBThunderbolt, Aug 11, 2020
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  2. Orca

    Orca Grand Pooh-Bah (4,710) Sep 18, 2010 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Well as I think you’ve also mentioned, most fresh hop beers are draft only, which means limited access if breweries are outdoor/curbside service only. I generally look forward to Cowiche Canyon and anything else is gravy, but I’ll be looking forward to any opportunity to support the growers and brewers that bring us the true best of the Northwest, especially this year. Really craving some fresh alpha acids now.
     
    #2 Orca, Aug 11, 2020
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  3. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    #3 BBThunderbolt, Aug 11, 2020
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  4. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Just to confirm what I had already expected, Hood River has cancelled their annual September Fresh Hop festival. Have not seen any word about any of the PDX events, but would expect them to likely do the same.
     
    #4 John_M, Aug 11, 2020
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  5. derftron

    derftron Pooh-Bah (1,663) Feb 8, 2012 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah

    If Laurelwood makes FH Workhorse and Fremont makes Cowiche Canyon, ill be happy. Im definitely prepared for a much less robust FH beer season this year
     
    #5 derftron, Aug 11, 2020
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  6. jason_nwx

    jason_nwx Pooh-Bah (2,571) Sep 12, 2012 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Breakside is canning Fresh Hop beers this year, according to the newsletter I just got. The image showed a can with four variations (different colored backgrounds, same art), though it doesn't indicate if that's four different fresh hop beers or not.
     
    #6 jason_nwx, Aug 11, 2020
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  7. jakecattleco

    jakecattleco Grand Pooh-Bah (3,749) Sep 3, 2008 California
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    FH Pallet Jack in cans...please, please, pretty please!
     
    #7 jakecattleco, Aug 11, 2020
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  8. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Are the growers giving any indication how the harvest is going? They gotta be starting to get pretty busy about now
     
    #8 unlikelyspiderperson, Aug 11, 2020
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  9. distantmantra

    distantmantra Pooh-Bah (2,954) May 23, 2011 Washington
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I haven't seen comments from the growers, but Varietal (a brewery in Sunnyside) had an IG post with some shots of the fields and they said it was just a week or two before they could start the fresh hop harvest with the early varietals.

    Two Beers already got all their Centennials from Yakima for their initial FH like ever year.
     
    #9 distantmantra, Aug 12, 2020
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  10. jason_nwx

    jason_nwx Pooh-Bah (2,571) Sep 12, 2012 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah

    #10 jason_nwx, Aug 12, 2020
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  11. SeaAle

    SeaAle Maven (1,381) Jun 24, 2012 Oregon

    I don't get too excited over fresh hop lagers. In past years Eliot IPA has been their first fresh hop.
     
    #11 SeaAle, Aug 12, 2020
  12. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I don't remember ever having a fresh hop pilsner but I could see the extra "grassiness" that I get from many fresh hops working well with the style
     
    #12 unlikelyspiderperson, Aug 13, 2020
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  13. vurt

    vurt Grand Pooh-Bah (4,504) Apr 11, 2004 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Occidental Brewing made 2 fresh-hop pilsners last year: one with fresh Centennial hops and one with fresh Hallertauer Mittelfruh hops. Both were delicious.
     
    #13 vurt, Aug 13, 2020
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  14. Reidrover

    Reidrover Grand Pooh-Bah (4,886) Jan 14, 2003 Oregon
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Dunno but saw some ads practically begging for help..jobs. Last week..as much OT as you can handle.
     
    #14 Reidrover, Aug 13, 2020
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  15. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I wonder how the crisis has affected the supply of migrant labor? I have a good friend that's pretty entrenched in the at scene in Yakima (apples, not hops) may have to give him a ring and see what inside info hes got.

    I do know there was an outbreak at the apple packing house his mom works at back in June and they were struggling to replace packers that were out sick
     
    #15 unlikelyspiderperson, Aug 13, 2020
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  16. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'd love to try the hallertau version. I wish more us brewers did interesting thing with noble hops. I'm still dreaming of an all noble hop neipa
     
    #16 unlikelyspiderperson, Aug 13, 2020
  17. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yeah, that's gonna be an issue. They grow everything over there, and while it seems they've leveled off their Civid issues, it's still gonna be an issue. Let us know what ya hear.
     
    #17 BBThunderbolt, Aug 13, 2020
  18. afrokaze

    afrokaze Pooh-Bah (1,962) Jun 12, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Breakside is still going big as ever for fresh Hop season this year. At least 8 beers planned, including a collab with La Cumbre being brewed next week and a small batch of... FH Wanderjack. You heard it here first.
     
    #18 afrokaze, Aug 14, 2020
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  19. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader


    Holy lord almighty... you just made my day!
     
    #19 John_M, Aug 14, 2020
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  20. sharpski

    sharpski Grand Pooh-Bah (3,100) Oct 11, 2010 Oregon
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Is it called Wandervated? Elelust? You guys are now all portmanteaus all the time? Fine, just take my money.
     
    #20 sharpski, Aug 15, 2020
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