The Best Early Season Fresh Hop Beers so far
Recently a handful of fresh hop fanatics gathered to taste the first of the seasons bounty of Fresh Hop beers and determine their favorites. Myself, New School writer Neil Ferguson, longtime infrequent contributor Bill Night and local author and fellow blogger Jeff Alworth of Beervana met up for a socially distant driveway tasting of 14 different fresh hop beers that were among the first available in bottles or cans.
Judging fresh hop beers is especially difficult because you are looking for not just the overall quality of the beer but also the way it showcases the use of fresh hops rather than dried hops. Great fresh hop beers succeed at both, an absence of off-flavors and exceptional balance while still making the use of undried hops apparent in flavor and aroma.
Some fresh hop beers lean towards more grassy or even vegetal flavors that can veer from appealing to unpleasant, and can be love or hate for some tasters. But favorites do emerge and out of our first 14 we came to a relative consensus on a top 5 of these 14 which are highlighted at the bottom of the story.
“The best way to succeed with a fresh hop beer is to take one of your classics, and add fresh hops,” asserts taster Bill Night.
The following is our tasting notes on each of the 14 fresh hop beers assembled for our panel. Many more have since came out and we plan to taste through the lot of them and offer another update on our favorites.
Crux Fermentation Project: Pert Near
“Astringent, tannic scent, yet sweet and malty palate. Not a lot of hop character period, let alone fresh hop.” - Jeff Alworth.
“It's a bit worty, but to me that helps pump up the melony fresh hop flavor. I love this.” - Bill Night.
“It’s hard to identify this as an IPA, let alone a fresh hop beer. All of the hops have drowned in a sea of sweet maltiness.” - Neil Ferguson.
“Very fruity and vegetal. I get melon, decomposing fruit, mulled cider. It’s an interesting melange of flavors but it’s doesn’t do it for me as far as a fresh hop IPA.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough.
Baerlic Brewing: Fresh Hop Eastside Oatmeal Pilsner
“Very light aroma. Flavor is slightly more pronounced, but still difficult to identify as "fresh hop." Just a hint of astringency from the chlorophyl” - Jeff Alworth/Beervana.
“Nice crisp summer slammer. Baerlic often makes lager-y ales and ale-y lagers, and this is a good example of the former. But not enough fresh hop flavor, even on draft.” - Bill Night.
“The creaminess of the oatmeal and the crispness of the lager actually work in tandem with the bright fresh hop flavor from Santiam (list flavor traits), elevating this Baerlic classic into a nice riff on a West Coast pils.” - Neil Ferguson.
“Bready, lemon, fresh cut grass and weeds, toasty malts. I like this beer a lot, it’s not a big punch of hops but it’s definitely there and this is an enjoyable beer.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough.
Migration Brewing: Fresh Outta Portland
“Weedy astringency in both the nose and on the palate, though the flavor is fuller, with a dank, orangey quality. The fresh hops are zesty.” - Jeff Alworth.
“This shows the fresh hops pretty well, but they almost get clobbered by the intense bitterness. Don't get me wrong, I would have this again.” - Bill Night.
“Not much of a departure from the normal version. Dank, malty and a touch sweet, but the bitterness overwhelms the subtle fresh hops.” - Neil Ferguson.
“I guess I am the dissenting opinion on this beer because I quite enjoy it. This is pretty dank and seedy, earthy and rich hop flavor and bitterness with grapefruit overtones. This is a hopheads beer with a mouth coating bitterness. It’s true you might not know it’s fresh hop necessarily but I do think I get a zesty fresh cut herb quality out of this and it hits the spot.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough.
Hopworks Urban Brewery: Singing Bird Fresh Hop Hazy IPA
“Rich aroma, with citrus, black tea, and flower blossoms. Lovely full fresh hop flavor, limned with a subtle tannic/spicy note.” - Jeff Alworth.
“This beer smells great! And it is pretty good, but if you want a hazy fresh hop, go for the Sasquatch this year instead.” - Bill Night.
“This is a nice and mellow hazy with pleasant notes of dried fruit. Not a ton of fresh hop presence but balanced and drinkable overall.” - Neil Ferguson.
“Smells like taking a hit from a bong but tastes like a creamy tangerine creamsicle with a spicy and grassy hop finish. I dig it.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough.
Hopworks Urban Brewery: Fresh Hop Ace of Spades Imperial IPA
“Kind of stinky/dank on the nose. Intense beer, well-made, with a hint of fresh hopping. It illustrates how bigger is not always better with fresh hops--the other flavors tend to overwhelm.” - Jeff Alworth.
“Intense, but packed with the green flavor I want.” - Bill Night.
“Super bitter and dank for a beer on the hazy side, but fresh hops add a brightness to smooth out the bite.” - Neil Ferguson.
“This is a big kind of old school Double IPA that will please fans of the San Diego-style pioneers. I dont think any clear beer hopheads will be disappointed but it’s doesnt stand out as far as fresh hops goes.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough.
Occidental Brewing: Fresh Hop Pilsner
“Quite an unusual beer. The aroma and flavor both have a raspberry/Red Zinger tea note, but the flavor is quite herbal and zesty. A flavorful beer that doesn't taste like anything I've encountered.” - Jeff Alworth.
“Decent effort, enough fresh hops to make it worthwhile.” - Bill Night.
“Pilsners sometimes tone down the presence of fresh hops, but not in this case. The fresh hops are remarkably pungent and herbal on the nose, resulting in one of the most strangely delicious pilsners out there right now.” - Neil Ferguson.
“A really interesting and strange bouquet in this one. I pick up meadowfoam honey, flowers, berries, cereal and minty noble hop aroma. It’s hard to pull out a clear fresh hop note.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough.
Zoiglhaus Brewing: Oktoberfresh
“Fresh hop note exists, but just. Mostly it's a malty, toasty, tasty lager.” - Jeff Alworth.
“Light in color but classic malty Oktoberfest. Were the fresh hops wasted on this? Or did they sacrifice themselves to make a fantastic beer? This is really good.” - Bill Night.
“This is actually a fantastically crushable and balanced riff on the style, except the fresh hops are basically undetectable save for a little on the aftertaste. Level should keep making this beer, but save the fresh hops for more appropriate styles.” - Neil Ferguson.
“Molasses, clove, nuts and even some bay leaves and basil notes out of this toasty Oktoberfest.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough.
Hopworks Urban Brewery: Fresh Hop Abominable Ale
“A green tea/wood aroma. Bitter chlorophyll palate. An old-school example recalling the fresh hop beers of a decade ago made exclusively with fresh hops.” - Jeff Alworth.
“I am usually disappointed in dark fresh hop beers, but this is a winner.” - Bill Night.
“Citrusy Centennial hops work surprisingly well with the malty bitterness of this Northwest classic. The big body of Abominable might drown out that green fresh hop flavor, but the brewers have struck a surprising balance. “ - Neil Ferguson.
“The winter ale flavors dominate with lots of caramel and toasted nuts. But as it warms you really start to notice the ripe apricot and herbal notes from the fresh hops. An interesting take.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough.
Baerlic Brewing: Fresh Hop Punk Rock Time IPA
“Pungent aroma, dry and sharp, with intense ripe-fruit aromas. These continue on the tongue, with bright tropicality. Fresh hop is layered and unusual. Great beer.” - Jeff Alworth.
“I love Baerlic IPAs. And this is a good'un. But it's not bringing the fresh hops. I'll go try it on draft and see if it has what I want.” - Bill Night.
“This is a solid IPA all around but doesn’t deviate much from the original version. This is a perfectly enjoyable beer, but in terms of fresh hops it left me wanting just a little more.” - Neil Ferguson.
“Pithy fruit, citrus zest and juice, kumquat, lots of great bright west coast ipa flavors and aromas. Great beer, hard to pull out the fresh hop character versus just great hop character.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough.
THE TOP 5
Sasquatch Brewing: Fresh Hop Mouth Pillow Hazy IPA
“Something like Hopworks with the Strata fresh hop. Soft and gentle beer with a little green hoppiness.” - Jeff Alworth.
”This is the highest that a hazy got on my list. Kind of like the Crux for me, in that the sweet smoothness of it really brought out the fresh hops. Nice work.” - Bill Night.
“Fresh hops on the nose and the dankness of Strata lends itself well to the pineapple juiciness of this hazy IPA with the sweetness getting kicked up a notch by milk sugar.” - Neil Ferguson.
“I am not a big hazy IPA guy but this one is great as both a standout of the style and as a fresh hop iteration. I get passion fruit, mandarin oranges, melons and a floral bitter finish. Everything you would hope for in a fresh hop hazy IPA.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough.
Little Beast Brewing: Green Keeper Fresh Hop Pale Ale
“Really lovely pale ale, with loads of saturated hopping, yet the fresh hop character is a bit obscured by the overall hoppiness.” - Jeff Alworth.
“Lovely. Not enough fresh hops for me.” - Bill Night.
“Simple, hoppy and almost lager-like in its crispness. Centennial hops add a touch of bitter citrus, making this a refreshing beer.” - Neil Ferguson.
“I love this one. It has all the green grassy fresh hop flavors without being vegetal. The herbs are strong with notes of tarragon, marjoram and fresh sliced citrus.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough.
Zoiglhaus Brewing: Fresh Hop Kolsch
“A lush, zesty aroma--not intense but unmistakable fresh hopping. On the palate, the hops are zesty and herbal, quite different from the character of German hops, but very nice in a kolsch.” - Jeff Alworth.
“Kolsch is a great way to stand back and let the hops shine. They play nicely with the fruity kolsch character.” - Bill Night.
“Honey, can I crush this one? There is a honey, biscuity sweetness that hits you right out of the can. You might not expect the vegetal, floral notes of the Tettnanger hops to work with the profile, but they are highly complimentary as a counterpart to the sweetness.” - Neil Ferguson.
“It’s refreshing and snappy but the fresh hops do reveal a little bit of green vegetal character and more pleasant grassy and lemony flavors.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough.
Ex Novo Brewing: Fresh Hop Eliot IPA
“Now we're talking! A blast of intense fresh green-ness leaning into lemony citrus. Saturated fresh hop flavors continue on the palate. Just perfect.” - Jeff Alworth, Beevana.
“Some years, this is my favorite. A couple weeks ago, I was unimpressed with this in cans. But today I thought it was pretty good. I wish I could have it on draft.” - Bill Night.
“Fresh and fruity straight out of the can. This is always a shining star of fresh hop season, and it’s exactly what I would open for someone who had never experienced the joy of fresh hop beer.” - Neil Ferguson.
“This is pretty much the epitome of a fresh hop IPA brewed with Centennial hops. I get strong dank weedy notes but also chlorophyll and vegetables in there but not overwhelming the straight up west coast IPA hop bitterness and flavor. Leaves you wanting more.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough.
Breakside Brewery: Fresh Guy IPA
“Has a dank, sharp aroma, pungent and woody. The freshness is evident in the flavor, though the hops are so strong it isn't dominant. A nice, hoppy beer.” - Jeff Alworth
“Best I've had this year.” - Bill Night.
“Dank, tropical and oh so clean. In true Breakside fashion, this is a beer all about balance while letting the fresh hops take the spotlight.” - Neil Ferguson.
“The perfect intersection of great base beer and great fresh hop showcase converging into an excellent clear IPA. You get that kind of pine cone, fresh cut grass, citrus and herbs that you only get when you stick your nose into a bag full of fresh hops. There is a sturdy malt base for which the hops pithily stand on, but it’s the bright yellow lupulin and lush green hop petals that push through and pop in the aroma and final sips to make this among the best of the best showcases of the hop harvest.” - Ezra Johnson-Greenough.