A perennial favorite hop to have in a fresh hop beer. Malissa says it’s got that mellow, classic, west coast ale flavor and aroma profile that works in most hop-forward beer styles, but especially shines in the fresh ones!
(📷: Yakima Chief Hops)
All tagged fresh hop ale guide
Sabro™
Sabro™ is a newer hop on the scene (released in 2018). Malissa is especially looking forward those Fresh Hopped beers this year, as there were several at last year’s Festival. Sabro™ has a distinct coconut and tropical fruit profile that somehow feels exotic to be sipping in the Yakima Valley in the fall. We would encourage everyone to seek out beers with this unique hop.
(📷: Yakima Chief Ranches)
Local Yakima breweries
We especially love our local breweries and the effort they put into their Fresh Hop beers each year. While at the Festival, look for Varietal, Single Hill, Cowiche Creek, and of course Bale Breaker.
(📷: Varietal Beer/IG)
Seasonal favorites
Two other northwest breweries that always hit their Fresh Hop beers out of the park are Cloudburst and Holy Mountain, both from Seattle. In fact, their collaboration Fresh Hop beer won Best in Show at the 2018 Festival.
(📷: Cloudburst/IG)
The Non-hop-forward beverages
If hops aren’t your thing, the Festival has your back. Local wineries and cideries will be pouring too, including Gilbert Cellars, Cote Bonneville, Fortuity Cellars, Tieton Cider Works, Treveri, and Naches Heights Vineyard. So even if you’re not a Hop Head, you’ll find something delicious to drink.
Fresh Hop Golf tournament
Apple Tree golf course hosts the Fresh Hop Golf Tournament *on Thursday, October 3. Scramble start, $150 for a two-person team. Registration at 11, lunch at 12, Tee off at 1pm.
9637, 8804 Occidental Rd, Yakima, WA 98903
(509) 966-5877 | website
(📷: Apple Tree Resort/IG)
*Brought to you by Mccown Crafted
Fresh Hop Party
Aside from the Festival itself, the Yakima Valley Hops Fresh Hop party on Friday October 4th is the hottest ticket in town – and one of the most fun. With three different bands playing outside YVH (the premier brewer supply shop) in Yakima’s historic warehouse district, you’re guaranteed to dance your butt off and have some of the freshest fresh hop beers around. Get tickets here.
702 N 1st Ave, Yakima, WA 98902
(208) 649-4677 | website
(📷: Yakima Valley Hops)
Pizza at Bron Yr Aur
Venture out to lovely little Naches for a glimpse at our side of the Cascades, beer (of course), and some of the best pizza in our neck of the woods. Bron Yr Aur makes their pizza dough and slider buns fresh with their Beaver Deceiver Cream Ale. Bron Yr Aur has a sweet, helpful staff who will be happy to help you pair your beer with pizza.
12160 US-12, Naches, WA 98937
(509) 653-1109 | website
(📷: Bron Yr Aur/IG)
Beer-focused restaurants
Second Street Grill has over 20 constantly-rotating tap handles and great Happy Hour with local Fresh Hops on tap; If you want to spot brewers out on the town or catch your favorite game, Sports Center is the place, and always a must during Fresh Hop Season (take a selfie in front of the coolest retro sign in all of Yakima); Provisions has growlers to go. They also have brunch if you’re in need of some hair of the dog. Also worth a stop-off: Public House and Bill’s Place.
Second Street Grill
28 N 2nd St, Yakima, WA 98901
(509) 469-1486 | website | more
Sports Center
214 E Yakima Ave, Yakima, WA 98901
(509) 453-4647 | website | more
Provisions
2710 Terrace Heights Dr, Yakima, WA 98901
(509) 452-8100 | website
Public House
5703 Tieton Dr, Yakima, WA 98908
(509) 426-2043 | website
Bill’s Place
206 S 3rd Ave, Yakima, WA 98902
(509) 575-9513 | so local, no website | more
(📷: Sports Center/IG)
Brewery Visits
We really do grow your beer – 75% of the hops in the US are grown right here in the Yakima Valley. You can get a beer smack dab in the center of a hop farm at Bale Breaker, drink in old-town downtown Yakima at relatively new (and delicious) Single Hill, head to adorable Naches for Bron Yr Aur, or check out the gorgeous view from Naches Heights at Cowiche Creek. These are just a few of our favorites for the variety in settings and beers for enjoying in our valley, but you can find even more here, including notable nano-breweries
Bale Breaker
1801 Birchfield Rd, Yakima, WA 98901
(509) 424-4000 | website
Single Hill
102 N Naches Ave, Yakima, WA 98901
(509) 367-6756 | website | more
Bron Yr Aur Brewing
12160 US-12, Naches, WA 98937
(509) 653-1109 | website
Cowiche Creek Brewing Company
514 Thompson Rd BLDG #2, Cowiche, WA 98923
(509) 678-0324 | website
Cowiche Canyon Conservancy (CCC)
Cowiche Canyon Conservancy owns and manages over 5,000 acres of land. With over 30 miles of trails, you can go for a hike, get on your mountain bike, or go birding within minutes from town. Check out their website for maps, tips, and trail information.
(📷: Jonathan Shipley/IG)
Seasons Performance Hall
What once was home to a church, the Seasons Performance Hall is Yakima’s main indoor concert venue. From jazz to the Seattle Rock Orchestra to Macklemore, the Seasons is known for its incredible acoustics and eclectic musical shows. While no shows are scheduled for Fresh Hop week, the weekend before, their Songwriter Sessions series kicks off with Jason McCue (Friday, September 27th). You can admire the building's architecture from across the street at Single Hill.
(📷: The Seasons)
Yakima Maker Space
Yakima Maker Space (YMS) was created in 2013 with the goal of "galvanizing our City's creative potential." The YMS founders led by example when they took an abandoned downtown building and created a shop where you can make almost anything. They host events like Drag Me Out to the Arts, various art groups, and tool demos. It will be open on the day of the Festival. Fill up with some coffee at Collab Cafe and head next door to YMS to get a tour and see what the makers are doing.
Yakima Maker Space
16 S 1st St, Yakima, WA 98901
(509) 571-1215 | website
Collab Coffee
18 S 1st St, Yakima, WA 98901
(509) 823-4018 | website