Happy Hop Harvest!
Yakima, it was a trip!
Fall is here, and you know what that means: hop harvest! Carey and Steph recently made the trek down to Yakima to check out this year’s harvest and to select hops from this year’s harvest! Thank you to the fine folks at Hollinbery & Son Hops and Marc Desmarais Farm for having us and to all to all of the incredibly hard-working people who make each year’s harvest happen!
So how do you “select hops?”
Hop selection is the process of going through different lots of the same hop varietal and selecting specific hops for desirable aromas. Each lot is from a different farm, and farms in Washington, Idaho and Oregon may all be growing the same varietal of hop. Just like wine is known for terroir, growing the same hop in different areas will instill slightly different characteristics in the hop.
One of our most commonly used hops is one called Citra (used in Aroma Dome IPA, along with a hop called El Dorado). Citra is known for smelling, well… citrusy. We want Aroma Dome IPA to continue to be a juicy but easy-drinking IPA, so when smell different lots of Citra, we’re looking for one that’s not too zesty or pithy not overly juicy (think a Clementine that’s about past its prime). This year, one lot that we really liked had a uniquely strawberry-mango peel aroma. We really liked it, but is that what Aroma Dome IPA smells or tastes like? No. That said, we selected a more classically citrusy hop that will mesh great with our existing recipe.
Once we’ve selected our desired lot(s) of each hop, the hop company uses that information and our notes one each lot to combine similar lots before they’re pelletized, packaged and sent out. Harvest is still underway, so in all likelihood, we’ll begin using the hops we selected this year sometime in the second half of next year.
Cheers to another great hop harvest, and we hope you’ll come share a pint with us soon!
BHA Talk This Wednesday
Thinking about hunting season? Have we got a talk for you! This Wednesday, September 30 at 6PM, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers will be hosting a new talk in our side room titled “Copper Bullets, Wildlife Benefits & Free Ammo.” This talk will discuss the dangers of lead ammo to eagles and other scavengers, as well as the Copper Ammo Challenge. Get more info and RSVP at the link below.
Trivia Returns Next Week
Start flexing those thinking muscles. Trivia Night returns next Wednesday, October 7 at 6PM! You know that Jack & Donald will have some fresh brain busters ready for you and that Meg’s Eats & Treats will be on-hand with the goods. $5 per person to play (door prize drawing for all paid players), max 4 people per team and fun prizes await!
Make Your Reservations Now!
Winter’s a’comin’, so don’t delay in making your party plans for the season! We’re now accepting reservations for room rentals for this fall and winter! Our rental room easiliy seats 40+ and includes use of our projector, microphone and more. Got something cool in mind? Let’s chat about it!
September Food Trucks & Events
October calendar coming soon! Stay tuned!
