Fresh Hop Festivals
By Kendall Jones
Photo at right: These Hood River Hops Fest patrons are picture-perfect in their braids and dirndls. Photo by Ray Perkins Photography
The nation’s entire annual hop crop comes from the Pacific Northwest. In particular, America’s hops come from one of two places: the Yakima Valley in Washington or the Willamette Valley in Oregon.
No wonder people around here harbor an uncommon penchant for hoppy beers. And, it’s not surprising that our breweries excel at producing fresh hop ales—beers brewed using hops that are less than 24 hours off the bine (hops grow on bines and not vines).
Northwest breweries enjoy an advantage when it comes to acquiring fresh hops and we have two festivals focused entirely on fresh hop beers.
Hood River Hops Fest
There is plenty to do around Hood River, Ore., to entertain outdoor enthusiasts, but most of those things tend to be thirst-inducing. Perhaps that’s why the area evolved into one of the region’s top beer destinations.
Each year the Hood River Chamber of Commerce celebrates the community’s affection for beer with the Fresh Hop Fest, an event focused on fresh hop ales with more than two dozen local and hyperlocal breweries pouring their hoppiest creations.
The event takes place on the streets of downtown Hood River, offers lots of great live music, and welcomes children before 6 p.m.
Downtown Hood River, Ore.
Sept. 27: Noon – 9 p.m.
www.hoodriver.org/events-festivals/chamber-events/hops-fest
Yakima Fresh Hop Ale Festival
Yakima Fresh Hop Ale Festival homebrew winners. Photo by Brian R. Ford Photography
Along with farmers producing 75 percent of America’s hops and 25 percent of the world’s hops, some of the largest hop houses (hop brokerages and distributors) are located in Yakima Valley, Wash.
At this festival, you have the opportunity to drink fresh hop ales with the world’s foremost hop experts. A expert panel judges the beers,
and a medal won at this festival is a precious treasure for any brewery.
While the Hood River Hops Fest offers more beer, the Yakima Fresh Hop Ale Festival is an invitational event and the Festival Committee carefully selects which breweries to invite. Attendees are the real winners as the Festival offers more than enough beer to keep you entertained, great food vendors and live music with dancing into the night.
Millennium Arts Plaza, Yakima, Wash.
Oct. 4: 5 –10 p.m.
