First let me give you a few recommendations from what I've tried so far. Last year when I boastfully listed all the fresh-hop beers I had tried, Jeff Alworth asked a very reasonable question: "Which ones were good?". Now, almost every one of them on my list was a beer I would have again. Some of them were fantastic. However, many of them -- even some fantastic ones -- failed to really show off the distinctive flavor of green un-dried hops. This year I want to lump the beers into three categories: those that nailed the fresh-hop flavor and must be tried immediately; those that have a nice fresh-hop flavor but won't knock you out of your chair; and those that should not be allowed to distract you during this holy time of year.
Must try:
- Deschutes Fresh-Hopped Mirror Pond
- Full Sail Lupulin (right now it's the First Gold variant)
- Rock Bottom Hop Harvest
- Bridgeport Hop Harvest
- Oakshire Harvest Ale (oops, all dried hops)
- Sierra Nevada 2010 Harvest Ale
- Hale's Harvest Ale (all dried hops)
- Hopworks Gayle's Pale (all dried hops)
- Deschutes King Cone
I usually am not very impressed by Sierra Nevada's Harvest, but I think they did a good job capturing the fresh flavor this year. And yes, it uses un-dried hops, unlike their Southern Hemisphere Harvest, and unfortunately unlike Hale's Harvest Ale, which the brewery has told me uses "FRESH dried" hops. I feel an Honest Fresh-Hop Project coming on. Nevertheless, Hale's is a robust, malty, hoppy delight, and it comes in six-packs. Good thing to have in the fridge this time of year.
Anyway, this is a work in progress. Next week I hope to have more recommendations as more beers come out [Update: click here for the second report]. And remember to check the Fresh Hop Map for where to find stuff.
I like the category breakdown.
ReplyDeletePity you didn't like that Hopworks--I assume it's an homage to Gayle Goschie of Goschie Farms. Which is very cool. I love that now even hop farmers can become celebrities. We do love our beer!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was cool that Bridgeport featured Gayle at their Hop Harvest party. As a total beer groupie, I had to walk up and drunkenly bend her ear for a while.
ReplyDeleteLast year Deschutes named one of their fresh-hop beers Goschie's Sterling.
I know you clarified with me on harvest, but let me set it straight for those reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteHarvest Ale-fall seasonal with dried German Hallertau pellets-bottle and draft
Wet Hop Harvest-same beer BUT with wet American Hallertau-draft only
Locavore-Pale ale with wet Eugene Grown Organic Chinooks. In my humble opinion, the better of the two we did.
Thanks!
Matt
Thanks, Matt!
ReplyDeleteThe confusion was mine -- you guys never labeled or promoted Harvest as a fresh-hop beer. I can't wait to try the fresh-hop ones you mentioned.
Thanks for leaving a comment! I will delete spam and long stupid comments. Comments that are smart or short will survive.
Please tag anonymous comments with your name, initials, or CB handle so that people can respond to you.