Zoiglhaus Brewery releases Oktoberfresh and Fresh Hop Kölsch

Outer southeast Portland’s Zoiglhaus Brewing Co. has released acclaimed annual seasonals Fresh Hop Kölsch and Oktoberfresh. Calling on their German influence, Zoiglhaus has made PNW influenced fresh hop versions of two classic German styles. Both beers use fresh German hop varieties that are grown locally, and both have previously won medals in the fresh hop categories at the Oregon Beer Awards.

Oktoberfresh ™

Oktoberfresh ™ has become so popular that the brewery doesn’t even bother making any other fest biers and has went so far as to trademark the name. You can tell why it’s so popular after tasting it, and the critics agree too because it won a Gold medal in the Fresh Hop category at the Oregon Beer Awards.

Description: Marrying German malts and yeast with freshly picked US grown Hallertauer hops (called Abiqua in honor of the Native American name of a local river), Oktoberfresh TM is a once-a-year labor of love for the Zoiglhaus brewers.

Deep orange in color from the Munich malt, which provides a rich and distinctive aroma, Oktoberfresh starts malty, but ends crisp and refreshing. The wet Abiqua hops lend a mild spiciness and delicate floral note to this Autumn brew.

Oktoberfresh is now available on draft and in 16oz cans at the brewery or via Maletis Beverage and should be around for the full season. It’s 5.5% ABV and 17 IBU.

Fresh Hop Kölsch

Fresh Hop Kölsch was a bit of a surprise hit when it debuted last year. The New School was an early fan, we named it one of the best of the bunch in our fresh hop tasting panels conducted last fall. It was no surprise that it went on to win a Silver in the Fresh Hop category at the Oregon Beer Awards last year.

Description: During Zoiglhaus brewmaster Alan Taylor’s studies in Berlin, he and his fellow braumeisters-to-be took a bus tour to visit too many German breweries to count. (Oh the stories!) The Kolsch beers that he had in Cologne were a true inspiration on that trip.

Zoiglhaus Fresh Hop Kolsch is brewed the same as in Cologne, with all-German malts and yeast. This Fresh Hop version has a massive blast of whirlpool Tettnanger hops from their friends at Goschie Farms in Silverton, Oregon. Zoiglhaus brewers ferment it slow and cool with the authentic Kolsch yeast strain brought back from Taylor’s studies in Germany. Crisp with lightly fruity aromas, and that oh-so-special aroma and flavor of Fresh Hops! A year-round sessionable German-style ale with that once-a-year freshly harvested hop experience.

Unfortunately the Zoiglhaus Fresh Hop Kolsch will still be hard to find this year, the brewery itself only has 2 kegs to pour and the entire batch has already been canned up. Snag it asap and stay fresh! 4.9 %ABV and 20 IBU.