It’s the time of year that excites hopheads: fresh hop beer season. Taplists at brewery taprooms and local bars across the Pacific Northwest are slowly filling up with fresh hop IPAs, Pale Ales, and other beers crafted using freshly picked hops. Below I share information about events that really take freshies to the highest level. I’m talking about fresh hop beer festivals, tap takeovers, and so on. This post is a living thing and will get updated as info comes in and more events are planned. Let me know what you know kjones @ washingtonbeerblog.com.
Beveridge Place Pub (West Seattle)
Thursday, September 26th The Beveridge Place Pub will dedicate 16 taps to fresh hop beers. The Fresh Hop Fest lasts through the weekend. Thereafter, the Bev will likely continue to have multiple fresh hop beers on tap at any given moment as the season rolls along. “Eighteen (18!) wet/fresh hop beers on tap all weekend long! Enjoy the freshest, wettest, hoppiest brews around from local breweries that love lupulin!”
Cosmic Bottles Fresh Hop Party and Mug-Holding Contest (Covington)
In Covington, Cosmic Bottles will combine Oktoberfest with fresh hop season. “Join us in celebrating the best time of the year for beer! Fresh Hops are in full swing! We will have multiple fresh hop options. food specials and a mug holding contest @8pm for a $50 dollar Cosmic Bottles gift card.” Details on social.
The 7th Annual, Growler Guys, Fresh Hop FRESHTIVAL (Seattle)
Currently underway and running through most of October. As the kegs roll in, you can expect 25 of the Growler Guys’ 60 taps to pour fres hop beers, with new kegs arriving daily. The Growler Guys is located at 8500 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115. The Growler Guys makes a pretty bold assertion and I have no reason to dispute it. “Yes, we DO tap more fresh hop beers than any single brewery or taphouse worldwide, so you can expect the freshest kegs from PNW breweries to be pouring through mid-October.” God bless ’em.
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The Beer Junction -Fresh Hop Fest 2024! (West Seattle)
In West Seattle, The Beer Junction already has six freshies on tap at the time I write this (9/18/2024), but there are a whole lot more coming soon. “We are happy to announce we will once again be hosting our annual Fresh Hop Fest from 10/9 – 10/20! A bunch of you have been asking about the dates and here they are!As always fresh hop season is a wild ride when it comes to scheduling so we’ve just now been able to nail down the right timeline for when everything will be here and fresh. Beers will come and go throughout the festival, so come back a few times to try it all!” Keep an eye on The Beer Junction’s social channels for updates. The online taplist is always up to date.
Yakima Fresh Hop Ale Festival (Yakima)
Saturday, October 5th. The Yakima Valley produces about 75 percent of the nation’s hop crop and about 25 percent of the world’s hop crop. Around Yakima, hops are a way of life, a vocation, and an industry that dates back 150 years. There is no better place to enjoy fresh hop beers, IMHO. Find all the important details on the event website.
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The O.G. fresh hop event. This is the 21st year for this festival, meaning it dates back to a time when most folks had yet to hear about fresh hop beer. Though they have yet to release a list of participating breweries this year, it will be impressive, I promise. This is a big festival with a lot of beer. It’s also a judged competition and winning an award at this one is quite an honor.
Imbibe Welcomes Freshies and Friends (Maple Valley)
It’s a tap-takeover event with a fresh hop twist. “Imbibe is excited to welcome back, Fort George Brewing from Astoria, OR!!! On Thursday, October 17th, starting at 6pm we’ll have a variety of their beers on tap and multiple raffles throughout the evening. This is a special event as Fort George will be bringing multiple Fresh Hop beers with them!!! Come by and sample some of the PNWs best Craft Beer… you might even leave with some Fort George gear!” Details on social.
And then they’ll do it again a week later with Stoup Brewing on Thursday, October 24th. “Imbibe is excited to welcome back, Stoup Brewing from Seattle, WA!!! On Thursday, October 24th, starting at 6pm we’ll have a variety of their beers on tap and multiple raffles throughout the evening. This is a special event as Stoup will be bringing multiple Fresh Hop beers with them!!! Come by and sample some of the Washingtons best Craft Beer… you might even leave with some Stoup gear!” Details on social.
Pybus Market Freshg Hop Fest (Wenatchee)
“Pybus Market Charitable Foundation is pleased to announce our 1st Annual FRESH HOP FESTIVAL – East vs West. We hope this fun east/west competition becomes an annual event celebrating the best seasonal craft brews (beer/cider/mead) in Washington State.” Ten Eastern Washington Breweries will face off again 10 Western Washington breweries for bragging rights. Get more details here. Festival Details — Date: October 19, 2024. Time: 12:00- 6:00 pm. VIP Access: 11:00am-12:00pm. Location: LocalTel Event Center and Patio
Yakima, Just Yakima
If brewers in the Northwest enjoy an advantage when it comes to fresh hop beers (and they do), then brewers in the Yakima area enjoy an extra-special advantage. Here are some suggestions.
Single Hill Brewing – In the coming weeks, throughout fresh hop season, Single Hill Brewing will have loads of fresh hop beers on tap. They always do. They call it Fresh Hop Rodeo and it involves collaboration beers made with all sorts of breweries. Many of which you’ve never heard. A lot of brewers from all over the world visit Yakima during hop harvest and Single Hill makes beer with some of ‘em.
Bale Breaker Brewing – I don’t know of another brewery located on the family hop farm, in the middle of a real, active, commercial hop field. Bale Breaker does not squander its unique advantage. You will find some good stuff at the taproom. Guaranteed.
Varietal Beer Company – The brewery is located in Sunnyside, but this year they’re doing a fresh hop pop-up at Schab’s Bier Den in Yakima. They’re calling it a Varietal Harvest Pop-Up Taproom. This brewery is known for its hoppy prowess and they go hogwild during fresh hop season. Schab’s Bier Den is located at 22 N 2nd St Suite 100, Yakima, WA 98901.
Other Events
Know of others? Email me kjones @ washingtonbeerblog.com. Or use the Event Submission Form.
Visit our Events page for information about other upcoming beer events.
