Our recent trip to Yakima, Washington, the heart of hop production in the U.S., was nothing short of extraordinary. The Yakima Valley plays a pivotal role in the global brewing industry, especially for craft beers, and we had the incredible opportunity to be right in the thick of it. We were on a mission to hand-select the finest hops — Amarillo, Citra, Mosaic, Centennial, Columbus and Chinook, to name a few — for brewers across the UK and EU markets. The experience was intense yet incredibly rewarding.
Celebrating the Hop Harvest with Fellow Brewers
One of the most rewarding aspects of the Yakima Harvest Tour is the opportunity to share it with our valued customers — some of the most innovative breweries from the UK and EU markets. This unique tour offers a firsthand look at the heart of hop production, and we were thrilled to be joined by breweries Sureshot Brewing, Williams Bros Brewing Co., Tartarus Beers, Brasserie Grand Paris, The Malt Miller, The Foxes Rock, Baltic Brewing Supplies, Browar Ziemia Obiecana and Brasserie Galibier.
For these brewers, the Yakima Harvest Tour is more than just a trip; it’s an immersive learning experience. By engaging directly with hop farmers, producers, and fellow brewers, they gain invaluable insights into the entire hop-growing process, from field to pellet. This knowledge will undoubtedly enhance their future brews and bring a new level of expertise back to their home breweries.
The tour also serves as an excellent networking opportunity. It’s a rare chance for brewers to connect not only with the local hop-growing community but also with each other, exchanging ideas and experiences that can help strengthen the craft beer industry across Europe. Watching these passionate brewers come together, share stories, and build relationships that will benefit their brewing practices was truly inspiring.
The Art and Science of Hop Selection in Yakima Valley
Hop selection is no easy task. It requires keen sensory skills, patience, and a deep understanding of what makes a hop truly stand out. From evaluating aroma profiles to assessing hop cones for quality, the process is both art and science. But the end result? Ensuring that only the best hop varieties make their way into our brewers' hands. Each of the varieties we selected — Amarillo, Citra, Mosaic, Centennial, Columbus and Chinook — is revered for its unique contributions to craft beer, and we're excited to see them shine in future brews.
A Big Thank You to John I. Haas and Their Innovations
A massive thank you goes out to our wonderful hosts at John I. Haas for their unparalleled hospitality. Their dedication to the hop-growing community is unmatched, and they generously shared their expertise with our team and customers. One of the highlights of our visit was the tour of the Yakima Golding Farm, where Michael Ferguson offered deep insights into the HBC breeding programme. It was particularly exciting to experience fresh hops like HBC1019, KRUSH, and Citra straight off the bine. The aroma was absolutely mesmerizing — a sensory experience that’s hard to put into words.
In addition, we had the incredible opportunity to visit Haas’ newly established Longmire Ranch in the Wenas Valley. This state-of-the-art hop farm and processing facility, named after the historic Longmire home on the property, represents a significant leap forward in hop production. The cutting-edge picking technology used at Longmire Ranch is designed to enhance hop quality preservation while improving operational efficiencies. As one of Haas' strategic long-term investments, this new facility not only complements their existing operations but also sets a new standard for sustainability and innovation in hop cultivation. It was exciting to witness the first harvest from this pioneering site and gain insight into the future of hop production.
We were also thoroughly impressed with Haas' pellet plant and Flavor Factory. Seeing the care and precision that goes into processing hops — from the field to the final pellet — gave us a new appreciation for the journey hops take before they land in a brewery. It's clear that Haas' commitment to delivering top-tier hops, grown right in the Yakima Valley, is unwavering.
The Passion of CLS Farms and El Dorado Hops
Another highlight of our journey was the visit to CLS Farms, home of the famed El Dorado hops. The family behind CLS Farms are true masters of their craft, and their dedication to hop growing was evident in every aspect of the farm. El Dorado hops have become a staple for many brewers, known for their bold tropical fruit notes and incredible versatility. The passion of the growers at CLS Farms was inspiring and reminded us just how much hard work and love goes into every hop harvested. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Eric, Shelley, and Claire for their hospitality and for sharing their expertise with us during our visit.
Incredible Hospitality from Local Craft Breweries
Throughout our journey, we were welcomed by some of the finest craft breweries in Portland and Yakima. We want to give a heartfelt thank you to Natalie from Wayfinder Beer, Chris and John from Varietal Beer Co., Mike from Grains of Wrath, and Nate from Wandering Hop for their incredible hospitality, insightful brewery tours, and sharing their unique brewing philosophies. Of course, their outstanding beers were a highlight, especially the fresh hop brews of the season, each offering a remarkable depth of nuanced flavors and aromas that truly showcased the harvest. The creativity and craftsmanship coming out of these breweries is second to none, and their beers were the perfect accompaniment to our Harvest Tour.
A Night to Remember with Yakima Valley Hops
Finally, a special shout-out goes to Yakima Valley Hops for hosting an epic karaoke night that we’ll be talking about for years to come. It’s not every day you get to let loose with some of the best hop growers and brewers in the industry, all while belting out classic tunes. Performances of note include:
• Will Longmate performing Rick Astley: "Never Gonna Give You Up"
• Jeremy Ragonese performing Luke Combs: "Beer Never Broke My Heart"
• Joanne Love performing Little Big Town: "Day Drinking"
• Morten Virkus performing The Bloodhound Gang: "The Bad Touch"
• Sean Forde performing David Gray: "Babylon"
• Alex Millhouse-Smith performing Weezer: "Buddy Holly"
• HAAS x Yakima Valley Hops team performing Nickelback: "How You Remind Me"
It was the perfect way to celebrate the end of a busy and productive trip.
Looking Ahead to the Next Hop Harvest
As we reflect on our time in Yakima, we’re incredibly grateful to all the hop farmers and industry professionals we met along the way. The dedication and hard work that goes into every harvest is awe-inspiring, and it’s because of this commitment that the brewing industry continues to thrive. To all the hop farmers, we wish you a safe and bountiful remainder of the harvest season. We can’t wait to see the results of your hard work in next year’s brews, and we’re already looking forward to our next trip to Yakima.
Cheers to the hops, the brewers, and everyone who makes this incredible industry what it is!
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