The largest fresh hop festival in the northwest (likely the world) held their annual awards judging in Yakima, Washington last Saturday and have announced the winners. The Yakima Fresh Hop Ale Festival did not take place in 2020, but the fresh hop beer competition did still take place.

The Fresh Hop Ale Festival (FHAF) was created by Allied Arts of Yakima in 2003.  Conceived as a fundraiser for the arts, the Yakima FHAF was an unlikely catalyst for the emerging craft beer explosion. At the festival’s inception, “wet hop” or “fresh hop” beers were almost unheard of.   The original lineup of beers included less than 10 breweries.

Today, the Fresh Hop Ale Festival continues to be held in downtown Yakima Washington hosting more than 60 breweries and seven thousand guests and is recognized by numerous beer publications as one of the nation’s best beer festivals. 

2020 Fresh Hop Ale Festival winners:

Best in Show

Stoup Brewing Simcoe Fresh Hop Fiend

Best IPA

Wander Brewing Fresh Cassette

Best Imperial IPA

Old Schoolhouse Brewing K'Poww IPA." (collaboration with Skookum)

Best Pale Ale

Georgetown Brewing Fresh Hop Johnny Utah

Yakima Fresh Hop Ale Festival organizers have announced a return to the festival format on October 2nd, 2021.