Crux Fermentation Project always has an interesting, solid lineup of fresh hop beers for the season, thanks in no small part to the experience of founder and brewmaster Larry Sidor. In addition to a decades-long career in the brewing industry, Sidor spent nearly seven years with S.S. Steiner, a Yakima-based hop dealer; he knows his hops!

Yesterday the Bend, Oregon-based brewery released details about this year’s fresh hop beer lineup and activities. Let’s start with Pert Near Fresh Hop IPA:

In anticipation of the first Centennial hops coming off the bine, we got a head start and brewed this brand new IPA so it would be “wet-hop” ready as soon as we got the call from Gayle at Goschie Farms. It’s pert near the first fresh hop beer you’ll enjoy this season while waiting for us to brew up a few more. Draft only. Available right now! 6.9% ABV 50 IBUs

I started with Pert Near as it is already available, and was on tap in Portland since last Friday or so I believe. It’s on tap at the Bend tasting room now as well.

Next up, Way Two Fresh, a fresh hop imperial IPA, this year became what sounds like a collaboration brew with Yakima’s Bale Breaker Brewing:

This is a Washington and Oregon fresh hop interstate love affair. To craft this fresh hop tour de force, Bale Breaker Brewing Company and Crux Fermentation Project teamed up to simultaneously harvest fresh hops from two valleys in two states on the same morning, combining them into each other’s kettle that very afternoon. A wild-eyed concept born from a shared love for fresh hops came to fruition after the seed was planted between these two brewers. This flavorful combination of fresh Willamette Valley Mosaic® and Yakima Valley Simcoe® hops is an Imperial IPA that’s double the trouble and downright delicious.

How delicious, you ask? Find out for yourself by going to one of the brewery’s tasting rooms at the end of the month where you’ll be able to taste both versions side by side and pick up 4 packs of 12 ounce cans for further evaluation. Details to come once the beer has been brewed, along with information on events we have planned in Seattle and Portland for those who can’t make the trek over to the east side of the Cascades. Kegs and cans from both breweries will head out to their respective distributors and will be available at retail, as well. 8.5% ABV 65 IBUs

So if I’m understanding this correctly, Crux delivered fresh Willamette Valley hops to its brewery as well as Bale Breaker’s in Yakima, while Bale Breaker used Yakima hops locally and delivered a load to Crux in Bend. I think. I remember this beer was quite nice last year so this is one to look forward to. And there will be tasting events coming up that are currently TBD but I’ll keep an eye out for them.

Also coming up, the return of Dr. Jack Fresh Hop IPA:

Named for hop pioneer Dr. Jack Horner – creator of the Cascade hop – this timely IPA features freshly harvested Oregon-grown Cascade hops, added to the kettle the very same day they’re picked in order to maximize all the floral and citrusy goodness this legendary hop has to offer. Inspiring as our brewery’s view of the Cascade Mountains at sunset, this fresh expression of their namesake hop is one we know would make Dr. Jack proud. Available once again in 4 packs of 12 ounce cans and draft at the end of the month. 6.9% ABV 50 IBUs

And finally, coming up on Monday, September 10, is Crux’s annual Hop Pickin’ Party to harvest Cascade hops off the brewpub’s own hop bines for Off the Fence Fresh Hop NWPA:

And last, but certainly not least, we invite you to join us for an annual tradition we look forward to every fall – pickin’ estate grown hops for the Fresh Hop NWPA we call Off the Fence! These Cascade hops will go straight into the kettle when we’re done, then about three weeks later we all get to drink the beer brewed with the hops we harvested with our own two hands. We’ll be starting early on Monday morning, September 10th, with coffee and breakfast provided, so come on down and lend a hand.

There you have it! Of course I will be updating my Fresh Hops Watch post with release dates as they come available, and I will note the tasting event dates and locations for Way Two Fresh once those are posted as well.