Oregon Brewers & Hop Growers Advocate for Clean Water with Earth Month Collaborations
Pouring It Forward: Oregon Brewers Tap Into Clean Water Advocacy for Earth Month Breweries & Hop Growers Advocate for Clean Water & River Protections with Wild & Scenic Collaboration Series
Oregon’s brewing community knows better than anyone that “Great beer starts with clean water!”
Right now, we have a huge opportunity to secure the largest expansion of river protections in Oregon history says the Oregon Brewshed® Alliance. This effort would protect watersheds, critical fish and wildlife habitat, carbon-storing forests, and world-class recreation opportunities – not to mention the #1 ingredient in every single beer! So Oregon’s brewing community is stepping up to show their support for this historic campaign by releasing special Wild & Scenic Earth Month Collaborations throughout the month of April.
Senator Wyden’s River Democracy Act proposes a bold expansion of new river protections across Oregon. This historic legislation calls for protecting over 3,200 miles of Oregon’s waterways as federally designated and protected Wild & Scenic Rivers. The River Democracy Act is the result of a groundbreaking grassroots river nomination process, multi-years of vetting, and the work of hundreds of activists and river enthusiasts advocating for their backyard rivers, drinking watersheds, fishing holes, hiking trails, kayak routes, and love of the wildlands and rivers of Oregon. Over 15,000 river nominations were received from the public. Additionally, over 50 Oregon breweries sent a letter to Senator Wyden voicing their strong support for protecting Oregon’s rivers, creeks, and streams.
To keep the momentum going and help advance this historic proposal, more than a dozen Oregon Brewshed® Alliance partners are releasing Wild & Scenic Earth Day Collaboration Series beers during Earth Week in honor of their watersheds! Coleman Agriculture and Yakima Chief Hops have generously donated Citra®, Mosaic®, Simcoe® and Amarillo® hops to participating breweries who in turn brewed special beers to honor their respective brewsheds and raise awareness about the need to protect Oregon’s rivers.
Participating breweries are: pFriem Family Brewers, Sunriver Brewing Co., Deschutes Brewery, Cascade Lakes Brewing, Parallel 45 Brewing, Old Standby Brewing, Oak Union Brewing, 7 Devils Brewing, Coattails Brewery, Little Beast Brewing, Xicha Brewing, Grand Fir Brewing, Breakside Brewery, Silver Falls Brewing and Leikam Brewing.
“Seeing the snow-capped peaks just beyond the hop fields reminds us how lucky we are to have access to such pristine water. It is also a reminder that we have the responsibility to protect these river systems, not just for the next harvest but also for the next generation. We don’t just grow hops in the Pacific Northwest, we live and recreate here. Scenic and healthy waterways are an important part of our lives. We are thrilled to partner with our friends at Coleman Agriculture to support the environmental advocacy work of the Oregon Brewshed Alliance,” says Levi Wyatt, Yakima Chief Hops Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility.
“From growing, to processing and brewing; I think the central importance of water across the beer industry is a really cool connection point we all share and can enthusiastically get behind. We are thrilled to be working with Yakima Chief, the Brewshed® Alliance and even more breweries than last year on the Wild & Scenic Beer Series!” said Coleman Agriculture’s Program Manager Garrett Weaver.
“Supporting the passage of the River Democracy Act should be a top conservation priority for anyone who values clean water and Oregon’s amazing brewing community,” said Oregon Wild’s Jonathan Jelen.
About the Watersheds & the Beers They Inspired
Hood River Brewshed – The West Fork Hood River and Cold Springs Creek (Tamanawas Falls) are two of the waterways in this brewshed that stand to gain new protections via the River Democracy Act.
Oregon Wild IPA (available on draft and in cans), pFriem Family Brewers - Crafted with purpose, Earth Day IPA combines Salmon-Safe hops from Coleman Agriculture with malt from Admiral Maltings using Western Rivers Conservancy's eco-driven barley, resulting in a refreshing West Coast IPA. The barley was grown as part of WRC's efforts to preserve key riparian habitat along the John Day River. The result is a bright, fruit-forward and citrusy IPA!
“We always say, ‘You need great water to make great beer’. We are lucky to live in a watershed abundant with beautiful, clean, crisp water. Water is the primary ingredient in beer, and all brewers should be obsessed with protecting this irreplaceable natural resource.” - Rudy Kellner, CEO, pFriem
Tumalo Creek / Bridge Creek Brewsheds - The namesake Tumalo Creek as well as the headwater streams like Bridge Creek are some of the waterways in this brewshed that stand to gain new protections via the River Democracy Act.
Oregon Wild WC IPA (draft in Bend Public House), Deschutes Brewery – Big West Coast hop character from Simcoe, Mosaic, Amarillo and Citra hops.
“Protecting Oregon's rivers is paramount to our craft, our passion for the outdoors, and our home. Thanks for all the hard work Oregon Wild!“ - Robin Johnson, Head-brewer, Deschutes Public House
Blossom Bar Pale Ale (available on draft at Bend), Cascade Lakes Brewing - Classic American ale named for a notoriously tricky rapid on the Wild & Scenic Rogue River. Just enough Caramel and Victory Malt to support a 100% Simcoe hop bill. A balanced beer with a bright citrus, fruity and slightly piney aroma.
“Clean water is essential for life. Clean water is also essential for excellent beer. Some of us would argue that excellent beer is essential to an excellent life. Let’s all work together for clean water.” -Ryan Schmiege, Cascade Lakes Brewmaster
Upper Deschutes Brewshed – Fall River and key tributaries of the iconic Metolius River both stand to gain new protections via the River Democracy Act.
Alluvial IPA (draft), Sunriver Brewing Co. - A collaborative IPA brewed with Oregon Wild, along with our friends at Coleman Agriculture and Yakima Chief Hops. Hopped exclusively with Oregon-grown hops sourced directly from Coleman’s fields, this beer features the brightest varieties available to a brewer. Alluvial throws big notes of mixed berries, candied grapefruit, evergreen, and passionfruit.
"Great beer requires great water, and as such, we're obligated to promote stewardship and protection of our water sources. Ultimately, it's an investment into both beer quality and our natural resources." - Brett Thomas, Director of Brewing Operations, Sunriver Brewing
Bull Run Brewshed – Oregon Wild and partners helped to increase protections for Portland’s drinking water in 1996 and further protected it in 2001.
Third Stone From the Sun Pale Ale (available as draft at the brewery), Leikam Brewing - Mosaic, Simcoe and Amarillo hops shine through with a light and crisp malt bill.
“Water is essential to beer production and we have the best water in the world! The beautiful Bull Run watershed is perfect for making clean, crisp beers. We need to protect our water and make sure that we continue to have this incredible and vital resource.” -Sonia Marie Leikam, Owner, Leikam Brewing
Brewshed Alliance Pale Ale (draft only at Slabtown and Milwaukie), Breakside Brewery - Pale Ale featuring Amarillo Cryo, Mosaic Cryo, Citra, and Pomelo Euphorics.
“Continued access to the incredible Bull Run water is a huge reason why we can make great tasting beers. It is the perfect blank canvas to play of of and we are incredibly lucky to be able to use it.” - Dylan Norby, Brewer, Breakside Brewing
Good Prevails (draft), Grand Fir Brewing - Modern take on classic NW Pale Ale. Clean, light malt base with a kiss of honey sweetness. Bursting with the finest Coleman-grown Cryo Citra, Simcoe and Amarillo.
“The best beer starts with the best ingredients. We are so incredibly fortunate to be living in the beautiful and lush PNW where our drinking water is so pure. Like an artist, brewing beer with this pristine water is like having the best canvas which, in turn, provides the ultimate foundation in order to craft the perfect beer. I feel so lucky to be able to not only be using these waters for my craft, but to be supporting the conservation and protection of our Oregon’s rivers and watersheds.” - Whitney Burnside, Owner, Grand Fir Brewing
Clackamas Brewshed / Troutdale Sandstone Aquifer – The River Democracy Act calls for protecting the Oak Grove Fork, a critical tributary of the Clackamas River.
Oak Grove (cans and draft at accounts that carry Oak Union), Oak Union Brewing - A modern American Hefeweizen utilizing ingredients from the PNW. Pure Oregon Malt with Meridian and Luminosa hops.
“Whether it's clean air or clean water, Oak Union adopts an Earth first policy. Our home town sits along the Willamette and thus, we're surrounded by the life it supports. To not recognize the importance of our ecosystem is to be blind to life itself. From a pristine, clear pint of Oak Union's beer to the bald eagle that soars over our house on occasion, we value a healthy world. It's all connected and it all matters.” - Trevor Lauman, Owner/Brewer, Oak Union Brewing
North Santiam Brewshed - A 22+ mile stretch of the North Santiam River stands to get Wild & Scenic River protections as part of the River Democracy Act, as well as the Breitenbush River, Whitewater Creek, and French Creek, which all feed into the North Santiam River.
Tres Carlos (Draft & cans at Little Beast, Xicha on draft), Xicha Brewing and Little Beast collab - This was a double collab Extra Pale Ale, brewed twice, once at each respective brewery. Each used a different German Pilsner malt, rolled oats and the same hop bill (Chinook, Amarillo and El Dorado)
“Beer is mostly water, great water makes great beer. Water also grows the rest of the ingredients in beer and is essential for human existence.” - Little Beast & Xicha Brewing
Chehalem Creek Brewshed - Consisting largely of state and private forestlands, the Chehalem Creek brewshed in Yamhill County benefits from the Private Forest Accord, which Oregon Wild and partners helped advance to significantly improve and modernize forest management practices across ten million acres of private forestlands.
Newberg-based Coattails Brewing will be launching a “Brewshed Alliance” series of various styles of beer in 2025. Watch for them around the Willamette Valley, particularly in wine country.
“I have been collecting spring water from Sunset Springs of of Hwy 26 on the way to the coast. I bring stacks of stainless drums and it takes over an hour to fill up about 250 gallons. It makes the world of dif erence especially since our well water at the farm isn't the tastiest in its untreated form.” - Nathan Etzel, Owner, Coattails Brewing
Luckiamute River Brewshed - Consisting largely of state and private forestlands, this brewshed benefits from the Private Forest Accord, which Oregon Wild and partners helped advance to improve forest management practices across ten million acres of private forestlands.
Three Wild & Scenic Guys (draft) Parallel 45 Brewing - A collaboration brew with Old Standby Brewing. This is a big, hazy IPA featuring Coleman-grown Simcoe, Amarillo, and Mosaic hops.
Abiqua & Silver Creek Brewshed - Consisting largely of state and private forestlands, the Abiqua and Silver Creek brewsheds benefit from Oregon Wild’s work to advance the Private Forest Accord as well as work to secure Habitat Conservation Plans for the Santiam forest that safeguards waterways with larger buffers and upland protections.
Locally Sourced (draft only, found in multiple places around Oregon), Silver Falls Brewing - A Double Dry Hopped West Coast IPA featuring Coleman Hops. Simcoe, Cryo Mosaic & Cryo Amarillo.
“Water is one of, if not the largest part of brewing. With great water comes great beer.” - Jacob Hutter, Brewer, Silver Falls Brewing
Coos River Brewshed - Consisting largely of state and private forestlands, the Coos River brewshed in southwest Oregon benefits from both the aforementioned Private Forest Accord as well as the Habitat Conservation Plan that helps safeguard the Elliott State Forest.
Trillium IPA (Draft only at both coastal locations), 7 Devils Brewing Co.- Trillium IPA highlights Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe hop varieties with help from Coleman Agriculture's generous donation of hops for the Oregon Brewshed Alliance Earth Day beer. This clean IPA will bring subtle sweetness to a refreshing hop crispness that celebrates the renewal of Spring embodied by the appearance of the Trillium flower in our natural forests.
“Oregon’s watersheds connect all life and landscapes across our beautiful state. Protecting and caring for these vital systems is essential to maintaining the delicate balance between land, sea, and all who depend on them. As brewers, our dedication to clean water is not just fundamental to our craft—it’s a responsibility that extends far beyond the brew floor. It starts at the source.
Water’s great cycle begins and ends in the ocean, and as a coastal brewery, we are fortunate to witness its full journey. This connection deepens our commitment to stewardship, ensuring that the water we rely on today remains pure for generations to come. From the beer we brew to the food we enjoy, protecting clean water sustains the quality of life we cherish." -Carmen Matthew, Co-owner, 7 Devils Brewing Co.
About the Oregon Brewshed® Alliance / Coleman Agriculture / Yakima Chief Hops
Launched by Oregon Wild in 2015, the is a coalition of brewing businesses, brewing community partners, and conservationists who understand the value of clean water and protected forest watersheds. The Oregon Brewshed® Alliance supports Oregon Wild’s conservation work to protect and restore the wild lands, wildlife, and waters that make our state a great place to live, work, and enjoy great beer. Great beer doesn’t start at the tap – great beer begins with clean water. Beer is over 90% water, after all, and that water is a product of the land that it flows through.
Coleman Agriculture has been a proud member of the Oregon Brewshed® Alliance for the last five years. As hop growers, the Oregon watershed is crucial to our day-to-day operations. As a seventh generation family farm, maintaining the Oregon watershed is crucial to the sustainability of the farm for the next generation. We are hyper-conscious not only of the water we use for irrigation, but also the effect we have on the watersheds via our management practices. This is why we take measures to limit our water inputs via drip irrigation, minimize runoff and erosion with cover cropping and participate in sustainability certification programs such as Salmon Safe to limit our use of inputs that might negatively affect watersheds.
Hops require a significant amount of irrigation to grow, and the quality of that water directly affects the yield and health of the plants. Elevated alkalinity levels in irrigation water can lead to an increase in the soil pH, which can make certain nutrients like zinc, manganese, and iron less available for uptake.
Coleman has experienced firsthand the need to treat irrigation water due to poor quality and understand the very real business and environmental costs associated. By designating more river coastlines as Wild & Scenic via the River Democracy Act, we protect our watershed from potential industry related contaminants that could compromise the water quality we depend on to grow our hops.
Yakima Chief Hops - Land use change and water availability are the greatest environmental risks facing the hop industry. Working in partnership with conservation organizations such as Oregon Wild, YCH is helping to invest in watershed protection and restoration programs in hop producing regions to ensure access to clean water for growers, brewers and recreationalists alike. These agroforestry efforts also benefit freshwater ecosystems as well as our communities. Since its inception in 1988, YCH has been rooted in environmental stewardship, with the firm understanding that healthy hops require healthy waterways. YCH values the opportunity to expand our reach by partnering with Oregon Wild on initiatives such as the River Democracy Act, which actively advocates on behalf of our local landscapes and stakeholders.