Fresh Hops
At Yakima Chief Hops, we celebrate the agricultural roots of craft beer by telling the stories of the small, independent hop farms that supply your hops. For us, this is the joy of being grower owned – having the unique ability to connect multigenerational family farms with the world’s finest brewers. And what better way to share their legacy than by supplying hops in their purest form to create seasonal fresh hop ales. Untouched by any aspect of the production process, fresh hops allow brewers to experience the quality of our hops straight from the bine.
For brewers, fresh hops are the most exciting and unpredictable form of hops. They endow each harvest with a distinct flavor and layer fresh hop beers with multidimensional aromatic qualities. Fresh Hops are harvested as whole, wet cones at farms throughout the Yakima Valley, and are delivered to breweries in less than 36 hours. The entire process is full of logistical challenges, but all agree, the taste of the resulting beer is worth it.
Flat Rate Shipping
* FOR U.S. CUSTOMERS ONLY
All orders ship from YCH in Yakima, WA 98902 via UPS Next Day Air (NDA) services. Delivery times are as follows: Early AM 8:00AM to 11:30AM, Standard 10:30AM to 12PM, and Saver 3:00PM to 4:30PM. Early AM and Saver options may not be available in all locations. YCH reserves the right to arrange NDA Standard shipping if the selected option is unavailable. Rural and/or residential addresses may experience delayed delivery times. Payment for all Fresh Hops product and associated shipping charges is due August 17, 2020. *Hawaii customers, please allow an additional 24 hours for delivery.
Zone 44: Metro Alaska/Hawaii
Zone 45: Puerto Rico
Zone 46: Extended Alaska/Hawaii
N/A = this particular service is not available in these zones
Rates are quoted per 10 lb box (20 x 12 x 18). FREIGHT ORDERS CALL FOR CUSTOM QUOTE, FOB YAKIMA, WA
AROMA
Fresh Hop aromas are unique, varying slightly from year to year and are predominantly described as fresh and grassy. The unadulterated characteristic of these hops is enticing for consumers but the unpredictable nature can be challenging for brewers when compared to more traditional forms of hops of the same variety. Producing a quality, aromatic fresh hop ale is a testament to a brewer’s craft and creativity.
TIMING & AVAILABILITY
Due to varying maturity dates for multiple varieties, scheduling a fresh hop beer can require some logistical flexibility and determination from brewers. Factors such as weather and location all play a role and affect when a variety is ready to harvest. Brewers participating in the Fresh Hops program should be aware that while Yakima Chief Hops’ staff makes every effort to actively communicate anticipated harvest dates, mother nature is the ultimate decision maker. It is important to plan your brewing schedule accordingly to accommodate fresh hop season.
QUANTITY
Wet hop recipes require 3 to 6 times more hops than traditional whole leaf hops or hop pellets. This ratio can vary, but should always be greater than 1 : 1 due to water retention.
EVAPORATION
From the moment Fresh Hops are harvested, water loss begins to occur. As a result, shipments are susceptible to small fluctuations in weight.
SHIPPING
To ensure quality and freshness, Fresh Hops must be shipped via an overnight service. This results in increased costs but allows brewers to have fresh Yakima Valley hops in their kettle less than 36 hours after harvest!
FLEXIBILITY
Flexibility is the name of the game with Fresh Hops. The logistical challenges are many, but we promise, the hops are fresh! Please be patient and know that we will communicate with you as soon as we can, and as often as we can regarding potential harvest and shipment dates.
FRESH HOP ORDERS HAVE CONCLUDED FOR 2020.
Farm Pick Up
* By selecting the Farm Pick-up method, your order WILL NOT BE SHIPPED and WILL require physical pick up at a specific farm in Yakima Valley. If you need to have your hops shipped, click “To Be Shipped” tab above.
If you’d like to schedule your hops to be picked up AT THE FARM, please place your order below. Your pick-up date will be determined by the hop variety, farm location and availability.
After placing your order, please allow 4-6 weeks for a member of our team to contact you with detailed pick-instructions.
Please note: fresh hops have a very short shelf life and MUST be added to the kettle within 36 hours of picking to ensure maximum quality beer. If you are travelling to pick up your fresh hops, please consider all timing factors for your brew.
AROMA
Fresh Hop aromas are unique, varying slightly from year to year and are predominantly described as fresh and grassy. The unadulterated characteristic of these hops is enticing for consumers but the unpredictable nature can be challenging for brewers when compared to more traditional forms of hops of the same variety. Producing a quality, aromatic fresh hop ale is a testament to a brewer’s craft and creativity.
TIMING & AVAILABILITY
Due to varying maturity dates for multiple varieties, scheduling a fresh hop beer can require some logistical flexibility and determination from brewers. Factors such as weather and location all play a role and affect when a variety is ready to harvest. Brewers participating in the Fresh Hops program should be aware that while Yakima Chief Hops’ staff makes every effort to actively communicate anticipated harvest dates, mother nature is the ultimate decision maker. It is important to plan your brewing schedule accordingly to accommodate fresh hop season.
QUANTITY
Wet hop recipes require 3 to 6 times more hops than traditional whole leaf hops or hop pellets. This ratio can vary, but should always be greater than 1 : 1 due to water retention.
EVAPORATION
From the moment Fresh Hops are harvested, water loss begins to occur. As a result, shipments are susceptible to small fluctuations in weight.
FLEXIBILITY
Flexibility is the name of the game with Fresh Hops. The logistical challenges are many, but we promise, the hops are fresh! Please be patient and know that we will communicate with you as soon as we can, and as often as we can regarding potential harvest and shipment dates.
