As fresh hop season enters it’s final days there are still a lot of great examples on the market, and even some brand new releases. Like our earlier tasting panel that profiled 15 different of the earliest seasonal releases, recently we got together to try a whopping 34 more. The goal was to create a guide, and perhaps aid in the language and evaluation of what to look for in fresh hop beers. Even then, our tasting panel that comprised Bill Night of It’s Pub Night, Michael Perozzo of North Bank Beer Week, and Neil Ferguson of the New School, could sometimes be greatly divided.

The following are the beers and our tasting notes, with added info like the fresh hop variety used in each beer. With fresh hops, it’s all about the balance between a clean and accomplished base beer and the grassy and floral fresh hops which can sometimes actually hurt the overall beer. Read to the bottom to find our TOP 5 that you should be looking out for right now.

REVIEWS

Machine House: Fresh Hop Bitter

Style: English-style Bitter Fresh Hop: Simcoe

“Notes of Orange blossom water, earthy herbs, with a grainy malt character and low carbonation, but this is cask. Overall pretty good.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“One of the more bitter beers from Machine House with a nice berry flavor from the Simcoe. Very different take on their normal styles and pretty wonderful if you like cask beer with a Northwest touch.” - Neil Ferguson

“I had this on tap at Machine House, and then brought a box back, which sat unopened in my fridge for a week before this tasting. Even though it was at a bit of a disadvantage, it had more fresh hop flavor than I remember when drinking it on site. It was very flat, had a bit of honeyish sweetness to it, and a long bitter finish. Despite its low ranking in this field, I would drink this again and again.” - Bill Night

Two Beers Brewing: Fresh Hop

Style: IPA Fresh Hop: Centennial

“Lemon and stone fruit flavors, but really bad compost greens, oxidized vegetables, and sweet aroma that ruins any positive qualities.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Spicy horseradish bite but also very refreshing. Somehow the vegetal fresh hop taste actually works well here and this is a very nice beer.” - Neil Ferguson

“Some years Two Beers really impresses with their fresh hops. Maybe this can is too early in the season, but it is a miss for me. Pleasant enough. A hint of corn -- but in a way I kind of like.” - Bill Night

Heathen Brewing: Fresh Hop of Couve-Air

Style: Hazy IPA Fresh Hop: ??

“This has a lightly dank marijuana and herbal aroma with some nice grapefruity and peppery hop flavor and bitterness. Would recommend.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Hazy with a little too much malt, nice tropical citrus notes from Citra but overall the malt overwhelms.” - Neil Ferguson

“beautiful floral nose, light fresh hop flavor. Hoppy but smooth.” - Bill Night

Heathen Brewing: Sultry Sabro

Style: IPA Fresh Hop: Sabro

“I detect a lot of minty, clove notes in the aroma. The flavor really leans on that Sabro thing of coconut suntan lotion, coconut milk, pineapple to offset those richer flavors, ending with a spicy oak flavor. Interesting, probably love or hate.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Pina colada in a chemical way with a green pepper bite and a throat numbing effect. Sabro completely dominates in an exotic kind of way, and its presence makes this definitely one of the weirder fresh hop beers taht will drive the Sabro lovers crazy.” - Neil Ferguson

“Pina colada and rosewater on the nose. Pleasant tropical flavors, missing the fresh hop flavors.” - Bill Night

Trap Door Brewing: Co-Hop

Style: IPA Fresh Hop: mixed variety backyard hops

“A muted yard debris aroma, an almost tangy leafy greens, mildew green hop flavor. Muddled.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Slightly bitter and a touch hazy. Definitely kind of a mishmash in hops that makes varietals hard to detect. Not a favorite but intriguing nonetheless.” - Neil Ferguson

“Pretty light body. Good expression of fresh hops gets it into the A category, but it is not my favorite beer.” - Bill Night

Trap Door Brewing: Fresh Hop Glowed Up

Style: Hazy IPA Fresh Hop: Amarillo

“Pungent juice and garden weeds in the nose, tangy OJ flavors, with melon and pineapple characters. Somewhat offset by the more funky onion and garlicky hop notes, I dig the interplay of flavors. This is a crowd pleaser if you love juicy Hazy and some of those more savory hops.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Lots of pineapple like you just popped a can of Dole. Little bit creamy mouthfeel and the subtle fresh hop flavor gives it a slight vegetal finish, which is a weird touch in such a juicy and sweet hazy beer.” - Neil Ferguson

“Chivy nose. Smooth, full mouthfeel, but an oddly savory flavor and I'm not getting the fresh hops.” - Bill Night

Loowit Brewing: Lando Hoprissian

Style: IPA Fresh Hop: Centennial

“A bit oxidized and DMS, aka cooked or canned vegetables. Canned cocktail of peach and pineapple juice flavors, a little thin and green.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Chemical cleaning fluid taste that overwhelms everything and lingers. We popped another one just to make sure and it wasn't as bad but still was not a winner.” - Neil Ferguson

“In fairness, we opened a second can of this which was a decent IPA that would get a Low B from me. But the first can we opened had a terrible cleaning solvent nose and taste, and was a low C. I can't recommend that you play Russian roulette with this one.” - Bill Night

Double Mountain Brewing: Killer Red

Style: India Red Ale Fresh Hop: Centennial

“A lot like the classic Double Mountain IRA beer with caramel malts, grapefruity hop bitterness, but with more floral, earthy and spicy fresh hops piled on top.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Malty and bitter in classic red ale fashion with very little detectable fresh hop flavor.” - Neil Ferguson

“Some years, this one blows me away. Disappointing this year. Lagery nose. Metallic, Dull flavor.” - Bill Night

Barelic Brewing: Fresh Hop Eastside Pilsner

Style: Oatmeal Pilsner Fresh Hop: Liberty

“You can almost imagine eating some steel cut oats while drinking this otherwise light but creamy Pilsner with plenty of hop bitterness. It has a long lemon an dberry finish, with a super floral hop note like potpourri. The only complaint is that it doesn’t taste particularly like fresh hops.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Finally a lager! Sweet grass and a kiss of bitterness that makes this excellent overall. The use of Liberty hops gives it an old school touch.” - Neil Ferguson 

“Nice fresh hop flavor. Crisp yet smooth. A very drinkable beer. You don't see Liberty hops used that often in fresh hop beers, but I remember enjoying a Widmer fresh hop lager with Liberty a few years ago.” - Bill Night

Swift Cider: El Dorado Fresh Hop

Style: Pineapple Cider Fresh Hop: El Dorado

“You can really taste and smell every ingredient in this cider. Check the box: fresh cut pineapple, green apple juice, pungent hops, super tangy grapefruit juice and plenty of bitterness. Must try for hopheads that don’t normally dig into cider.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“The combination of pineapple and fresh hops makes it almost a hazy IPA. El Dorado layers on the tropicality of the pineapple to make for one of the more unique cider offerings you will come across.” - Neil Ferguson

“Some years I am blown away by a fresh hop cider. This doesn't do that, but it is a pretty good one, and showcases the hops well. They go well with the pineapple.” - Bill Night

Boss Rambler Beer Club: The Fresh Fresh

Style: IPA Fresh Hop: Centennial

“This has that sort of old fading fruity melon flavor from age and oxidation. It ends up with a decomposing greens flavor, like fresh basil leaves that are beginning to melt into that wet slimy mess as it degrades.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“This is hoppy water with little detectable fresh hop greenness. Dirty and funky and overall blah.” - Neil Ferguson

“Beautiful clear appearance. Light, crisp, and drinkable. Fresh hops with a hint of orange.” - Bill Night

Stormbreaker Brewing: Fresh Hop Triple Double IPA

Style: Double IPA Fresh Hop: Mosaic

“Weeds, garlic, pepper, a little bit dank, a little bit piney. You can tell it’s got a little heavier boozier body. Good beer, would order.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“12 lbs of each different hop were used to make for a beer that is overall very tasty but not as exciting as Stormbreaker's lesser ABV releases.” - Neil Ferguson

“I expected and wanted this one to floor me, since it is a beloved mainstay plus fresh hops. But it disappointed. Strangely gamey or savory. I usually can enjoy a bit of vegetal flavor in a fresh hop beer, but not this time.” - Bill Night

Ecliptic Brewing: Altair

Style: Pale Ale Fresh Hop: Strata, Centennial

“Hard to say anything bad about this, but it just doesn’t stand out from other solid Pale Ales you could order year-round. It has a light but balanced body, with some lemony and grassy hop notes. You wouldn’t be disappointed in it, but you wouldn’t be lining up for another 6-pack either.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Good introduction beer that’s accessible for someone who has never tried or might be skeptical of fresh hop, but as a whole not super exciting.” - Neil Ferguson

“John Harris really set the standard in the early 2000's for fresh hop beers while at Full Sail. I'd count this as an off year. Not much fresh hop character in this, but it is beautifully balanced and an easy drinker. Looks pretty, cloudy and pale.” - Bill Night

Matchless Brewing: Easy Being Green

Style: Hazy IPA Fresh Hop: Strata

“This is one of the most green veggie beers I have had. It’s not very hoppy, but it has lots of garden greens like string beans in there. If you want a garden gruit then you might enjoy.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Green like a veggie bomb - not totally bad but very backyard garden with lots of late summer vibes.” - Neil Ferguson

“Nice flowery scent. Drinkable, soft hops are pleasant but not green enough.” - Bill Night

Public Coast Brewing: Fresh Hop & Honey NW Red Ale

Style: NW Red Fresh Hop: Lorien

“We know this is a honey beer in advance, but it also has some real cherry cough syrup notes that come off sweet, but then it dries astringently. Perhaps it’s the thin body caused from extra fermentable honey? The hops are earthy, but otherwise this just isn’t what I am looking for in this kind of beer.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Flavors of berry and honey shine through but not a ton of detectable fresh hop. This is a fun and malty beer that would like taste the same without the addition of fresh hops.” - Neil Ferguson

“Herbal, waxy nose. It's fun to have a maltier fresh hop. I like the caramelly, marshmallowy flavor of this one, with just a hint of fresh hop goodness as it warms up.” - Bill Night

Everyone’s Brewing: Head Stash

Style: IPA Fresh Hop: Simcoe

“This is very drinkable with a balanced malt to hop flavor ratio with fresh hops reminiscent to a mown lawn.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Super dank and green tasting with strong citrus notes make this an amazing offering.” - Neil Ferguson

“Too vegetal even for me, and no fresh hop flavor to make up for it. Disappointing, because here is a flagship with fresh hops. Maybe next year.” - Bill Night

Hopworks: Fresh Hop Ace of Spades

Style: Double IPA Fresh Hop: Strata

“This is just a really good but standard West Coast Imperial IPA with all the classic San Diego character of big grapefruit and piney notes. Hard to say what the fresh hops contribute though.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Big hoppy base but nothing special.” - Neil Ferguson

“Just enough fresh hop character to squeak into the A group. A lot of it is covered up by the alcohol bite. I might like the regular version a little better than this one.” - Bill Night

Coldfire Brewing: Fresh Perspective IPA

Style: IPA Fresh Hop: Amarillo

“Maltier than the norm these days for an IPA, this leans into the weedy hash, the seeds at the bottom of a jar of buds. Earthy and vivid, your mileage may vary based on what you think of dank pot and crystal malts” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Nice West Coast IPA where the hops add that intriguing vegetal taste.” - Neil Ferguson

“Clean and crisp, I could almost pull out the fresh hops, but in the end I couldn't find them. Even so, more enjoyable than many of the A beers.” - Bill Night

Oakshire Brewing: Hop Harvest

Style: Hazy IPA Fresh Hop: Simcoe, Strata

“I am really impressed with the fruity fresh, bright and juicy hop notes that remind me of a starburst candy. This is a top 10 for me, maybe top 5” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Vibrant and fruity but overall not super clean.” - Neil Ferguson

“Floral hop nose, good green flavor. Interesting mouthfeel, a little chalky, but not in an unpleasant way.” - Bill Night

Old town Brewing: From Cone to Cup

Style: Pale Ale Fresh Hop: Centennial

“This is just easy to drink with a balanced body and malt to hop flavor, pretty clean compared to many fresh hop beers and well executed. The only problem is there is not a lot of fresh hop flavor and the hop aromatics are lacking.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Malty and bitter and not super memorable.” - Neil Ferguson

“This has a fantastic polleny green fresh hop flavor. Notes of orange. Looks and tastes so clean. Old Town is an often overlooked brewery that turns out dependable beer. This beer tastes like it was made with extra care, and it really shows off what I'm looking for at this time of year.” - Bill Night

Grains of Wrath: Fresh Hop Grave Dancer IPA

Style: IPA Fresh Hop: Mosaic

“A catty, orange, onion and dank classic West Coast IPA.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“This beer is proof that GoW doesn't make nearly enough fresh hop beers. Straightforward West Coast IPA with lots of tropical flavors and lovely interplay between fresh Simcoe hops and good old Mosaic.” - Neil Ferguson

“Dried stonefruit, mango and pine. A little catty on the nose. More herbaceous than expected. Clean, crispy and easy to drink.” - Michael Perozzo

Wolves & People Farmhouse Brewery: Keep Oregon Green

Style: Oak fermented Farmhouse IPA Fresh Hop: Centennial

"Like chewing bubble gum while walking through an Oregon forest after a spring rain. No seriously it is that, but also banana, parsley and fruit. Delivers on a phenolic Belgian blended with a woodsy pacific northwest vibe. This is unique and fun.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Some years the fresh hop show is stolen by an unexpectedly good fresh hop farmhouse ale. I can remember my first taste of Logsdon's Fresh Hop Seizeon like it was yesterday -- it was something completely different and wonderful; similarly the first fresh hop offerings from the Commons and Little Beast were real revelations. This one from Wolves and People fills that role. I hardly know how to describe it, but it has a very green fresh hop flavor, mixing well with a pronounced tartness that still manages to be a little bready.” - Bill Night

“Rustic and earthy. A touch of smokey pine. Sweet, but with a hard right turn into a dry finish. Peppery, minty and yeasty. Complex, to be sure.” - Michael Perozzo

Zoiglhaus Brewery: Fresh Hop Pilsner

Style: Pilsner Fresh Hop: Sterling

“Some classic fresh grainy lager notes with a sourdough (but not sour) bread flavor that I find very pleasant. This finishes with a long spicy German hop flavor if you dig that very distinct flavor. Easy to recommend for classic German lager fans.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Just a hint of fresh hop flavor puts this into the A group. I probably prefer Zoiglhaus' Fresh Hop Kolsch, but this is very drinkable.” - Bill Night

“Grassy, floral and bready. A very good pilsner with a nice hop character. A fresh hop worth drinking a lot of.” - Michael Perozzo

Fort George Brewery: Rock, Paper, Centennial

Style: Pale Ale Fresh Hop: Centennial

“The first sip wasn't great, but it grew on me. Grassy and leafy.” - Bill Night

“Floral and tea-like in a good way. Don’t listen to what Ezra says.” - Michael Perozzo

“I’m sorry but the astringent whole leaf black tea flavors just really throw me off in this one. Don’t listen to Perozzo.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

Cascade Lakes Brewing: Koosah

Style: IPA Fresh Hop: Centennial

“Wet poultry herbs is what this reminds me of, a little bit of decomposition and an earthy hop finish. Classic old school fresh hop beer.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

"Maybe too vegetal for some people, but it has a lot of what I look for this time of year.” - Bill Night

“Dry and chalky. Vegetable and decomposition of said vegetables.” - Michael Perozzo

Baerlic Brewing: Stay Fresh

Style: IPA Fresh Hop: Simcoe

"Bold juicy hop flavors and aromatics, surprisingly light but sweet body. I taste apricot, grapefruit, pine, and just a little dankness to the big fresh hop pop. Definitely top 10 for me.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

"Baerlic is taking a lot of shots on the fresh hop goal, but this one hit the crossbar. I'll still clap for it. If you like Baerlic IPAs, this is a good one.” - Bill Night

“Floral and bright! Crisp with a dry finish.” - Michael Perozzo

Ferment Brewing: Fresh Hop Chinook

Style: IPA Fresh Hop: Chinook

"An approachable but middle of the road fresh hop beer that shows off that greenness with some leafy and bell pepper notes that sit in the shadows but are unmistakably present.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

"Nice bitterness to it, pleasantly grainy. Not enough fresh hop flavor.” - Bill Night

“Fragrant and resinous. Bright, clean and crisp. Really enjoy the nose on this one.” - Michael Perozzo

Bale Breaker Brewing: Homegrown IPA No. 8

Style: IPA Fresh Hop: Simcoe

"Just OK, not much fresh hop flavor. Reminds me of the milk at the end of the cereal bowl.” - Bill Night

“Big oily fresh hops with notes of berry and grapefruit peel!” - Michael Perozzo

Pono Brewing: Fresh Hop Cuzzi-Companion

Style: Rice Lager Fresh Hop: Cascade

"Crispy, with a sticky and fried rice flavor, toasty, nutty and actually kind of bitter with a slightly burnt spicy finish. Solid, but doesn’t deliver on fresh hops.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

"Drinkable, but completely misses the fresh hops.” - Bill Night

“Under carbonated, Uber-lite and a delicate grassy fresh hop character. Very enjoyable rice lager.” - Michael Perozzo

Fremont Brewing: Field to Ferment

Style: Pale Ale Fresh Hop: Centennial, Simcoe

"Dang, I wante to like this a lot more but it has that tea leaves like fresh hop flavor that is not overpowering but is too tough for me to ignore and throws the whole thing off for me.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

"I had this at the brewery and now in the can. It's OK, but I don't get the fresh hops.” - Bill Night

"Grassy, earthy, dank and bitter. Not enjoyable.” - Michael Perozzo

TOP 5

it’s very difficult to agree on a top 5, but these were the highest ranked fresh hop beers by average in our 34 beer tasting session.

Breakside Brewery: What Fresh Beast

Style: Hazy IPA Fresh Hop: Mosaic

“The Breakside fresh hop beers are always very good to great, the only problem I come upon is where the base beer ends and the fresh hops begin. With What Fresh Beast it seems like the fresh hops are really perfectly whipped on top with a tropical wiff of hoppy perfume, a melange of pink grapefruit and smooth and bright hops with a semi-sweet spray of tropicana.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Terrific fresh hop flavor. Juicy fruit, slightly grainy.” - Bill Night

“One of the best of the tasting. Juicy pink grapefruit, floral and honey.” - Michael Perozzo

Rueben’s Brews: Hazealicious

Style: Hazy IPA Fresh Hop: Strata

“Passion fruit, mandarin orange, creamsicle! All great flavors you would strive for in a really good Hazy IPA. Now add some zesty, aromatic but still mouth coating fresh hops to the aromatics and long hoppy finish and you have a home run.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Gorgeous fresh hop flavor right on the nose, a proper hazy with plenty of fruitiness and a little bit of green onion from the fresh hops that strangely works well.” - Neil Ferguson

"A week before, I had this and another Reubens fresh hop at the pub in Ballard. The other one, a collaboration with Single Hill, was fantastic. The Hazealicious is OK, about the same tonight as it was on draft. Not enough fresh hop flavor, but very drinkable. Long bitter finish.” - Bill Night

Baerlic Brewing: Fresh Hop Pioneer ESB

Style: Extra Special Bitter Fresh Hop: Mt. Hood

“I love an ESB like this one that can remind me of seeded rye bread, lightly nutty, like sunflower seeds and spicy hops. The hops dont overpower the malts and yeast flavor which keeps it still tasting like a fairly authentic ESB. Some may want more hops, but the hop flavors that are there are a nice compliment that shows restraint in not overpowering the base beer.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“For lovers of bitter ales, this is simply perfection. Light and jammy with a slight melon note and the exact amount of bitterness.” - Neil Ferguson

“I have some cans of this at home that didn't impress me. But at this tasting, it was spot on, and the best of the night. Incredible green fresh hop flavor, notes of honeydew, with a soft, slight bitterness” - Bill Night

Stormbreaker Brewing: To Be Fairrrrr

Style: North Coast IPA Fresh Hop: Citra

“Wow this is dank, who lit up? Deep herbs and buds aroma, with a more piney, earthy, grassy flavor with almost a hint of smokiness. This beer really pops with hop flavor and aroma.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Tropical dankness and the Citra really shines here. Once again, Stormbreaker knocks it out of the park.” - Neil Ferguson

“Resinous but not too bitter. It has the right fresh hop flavor. Smells great!” - Bill Night

Bend Brewing: Grove Pale Ale

Style: Pale Ale Fresh Hop: Strata

“Melon, mandarin soft fruit flavors like a fruit salad. It does have some of that composty, yard debris character I don’t like too much of, but it’s offset by wonderful fruit, berries and grassy notes. Complex, fresh hop tasting, and easy drinking.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough

“Cannabis herbality balances out a nice malty sweetness and fruity hop flavor. This is a classic Northwest pale ale that shows the exact right way to brew with fresh hops.” - Neil Ferguson

“Nicely balanced. There is a pithy orange flavor, with a touch of the fresh hop flavor I'm looking for.” - Bill Night