A hop blend to raise awareness and support
Every year, the folks at Yakima Chief Hops (YCH) team up with the Pink Boots Society to create a new hop product–a carefully designed blend of particular hops. The goal is to raise funds for and awareness of the Pink Boots Society’s important work. The non-profit organization aims to assist, inspire, and encourage women and non-binary individuals working in the adult beverage industry.
YCH says the 9th annual Pink Boots Blend selection process marked a return to chapter-driven involvement, and it was a powerful and inspiring experience for the participants. The Boston chapter of the Pink Boots Society hosted the hands-on hop selection event, bringing together about 30 members, including Pink Boots members from New Hampshire, Maine, New York, Connecticut, Washington, DC, and Washington state.
ASIDE: Teri Fahrendorf, founder of the Pink Boots Society, and a longtime industry pioneer and champion, was just nominated for the American Craft Beer Hall of Fame.
In the end, the participants selected the following varieties for the blend: Centennial, Mosaic®, Ekuanot®, and HBC 638. Here is the press release introducing this year’s Pink Boots Blend.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Yakima, WA: Yakima Chief Hops (YCH) in partnership with the Pink Boots Society (PBS), is proud to release the latest Pink Boots Blend, created to support women and non-binary individuals in the fermentation industry through education and professional support.
The 9th Annual Pink Boots Blend will be comprised of Ekuanot®, Centennial, HBC 638, and Mosaic®! This year’s blend combines tropical citrus and stone fruit notes with herbal and woody accents for a vibrant fruit medley complemented by a soft undertone of white tea and cedar. “By offering both expressive citrus and grounding base characteristics, the blend empowers brewers to explore flavor in ways that feel both approachable and innovative,” says YCH Sensory Coordinator Dominic Wise. “There’s a soft, delicate aspect to this year’s blend that we’re excited about and think brewers will too.”
YCH will donate $1 from every pound of the blend sold directly to PBS, funding scholarships, training, and professional opportunities for all members. “As the industry shifts, the Pink Boots Blend gives producers of every size a way to stay creative and stay connected. It’s not about the scale of participation, it’s about the commitment to keep innovating together”, says PBS Executive Director, Georgina Solis. “Its impact reaches far beyond flavor; it strengthens the entire industry and contributes to professional development for women and non-binary talent.”
With over two thousand members across 31 countries, the Pink Boots Society’s mission is clear: support women and non-binary individuals in the rapidly growing fermentation and alcoholic beverage industry to advance their careers through education. The Pink Boots Blend directly supports this mission and gives brewers (and other makers) a high-quality product that opens the door to creative possibilities! Learn more about the Pink Boots Blend at www.yakimachief.com/commercial/hop-wire/9th-annual-pink-boots-blend. For general inquiries about the blend or YCH, please contact us at hops@yakimachief.com.
