Yesterday, I wrote about fresh hop beers and today the theme continues. It is, after all, fresh hop beer season in the Pacific Northwest.
This is a new one, a different approach. Crux Fermentation Project of Bend, Oregon collaborated with Bale Breaker Brewing of Yakima, Washington to create two interstate fresh hop beers.
Follow me on this one.
One day, the Bale Breaker crew got up bright and early to harvest hops in the Yakima Valley. Part of that harvest was delivered to their own brewery in Yakima while the other part of that harvest was driven immediately to Crux Fermentation Project’s brewery in Bend.
On the same day, the crew from Crux woke up bright and early to harvest hops in the Willamette Valley. Part of that harvest was delivered to their own brewery in Bend while the other part of that harvest was driven immediately to Bale Breaker in Yakima.
See where I’m going?
At both Bale Breaker Brewing and Crux Fermentation Project, at virtually the same time, a beer was brewed using these freshly harvested hops: Citra hops from the Yakima Valley and Mosaic hops from the Willamette Valley. Two different beers with the same fresh hops, brewed at two locations.
The result is Way Two Fresh, an Imperial IPA that is described as “double the trouble and downright delicious.” 8.5% ABV 65 IBU.
You’ll be able to taste both versions side by side and pick up 4-packs of 12-ounce cans for further evaluation at both brewery taprooms. More details are forthcoming, including information about events in Seattle and Portland for those who can’t make the trek over to the east side of the Cascades. Kegs and cans from both breweries will head out to their respective distributors and will be available at retail, as well.
More fresh hop news from Bale Breaker: “Bale Breaker Brewing Company is also proud to announce the release of two other fresh hop beers in celebration of the 2018 hop harvest bounty. Piled High Imperial Fresh Hop Ale [7.5% ABV 65 IBU] will be making a return appearance after six previous harvests as Bale Breaker’s signature fresh hop beer (2017 Fresh Hop Ale Festival: Best Imperial IPA). Piled High might be one of the freshest Fresh Hop Ales around. It takes just four minutes to get these wet Simcoe® hops out of the picking machine and into the brew kettle. Finally, it will be the fourth release of our award-winning Citra Slicker [6.9% ABV 70 IBU], a collaboration with Cloudburst Brewing. Heavily dry-hopped yet light in color and body, this beer is all about these fresh, farm-grown Citra® hops.”