It’s hard to believe it’s that time of year already—fresh hops season! This year’s a bit different with COVID-19; I don’t know about you, but since the pandemic hit and quarantine/shelter at home was initiated, we’ve been laying low and avoiding going out unless necessary. That also changes the dynamic of seeking out fresh hop beers this year, since many are only available on draft (as they should be).

But I’ll still keep this Fresh Hops Watch post updated with known Central Oregon beers and events, albeit from a pandemic perspective. Pick up beer to-go when possible to enjoy at home, and if you’re attending an event or sipping on a patio, keep that mask on and keep your distance.

I’m using the same conventions as last year: breweries are listed alphabetically, then the beers are listed as I learn about them and/or by date, along with what fresh hop varieties were used if possible. If there are dates next to the beers, that’s when they are available (or as close as I can figure). As always, beers and dates are subject to change, and some may run out quickly. Feel free to post any updates in the comments!

Beers (brewery, beer, variety, date available if known) (alphabetical by brewery)
     (those listed in blue also available in cans or bottles)

1. 10 Barrel Brewing – Fukton Fresh Hop Ale – Citra and Mosaic – September 27
2. Bend Brewing – Fresh Trop Fresh Hop IPA – Simcoe – September 18 (also in cans)
3. Bend Brewing – Fresh Trop Fresh Hop IPA – Mosaic – October 2 (also in cans)
4. Bend Brewing – Strata Fresh Pale Ale – Strata – September 18
5. Bevel Craft Brewing – Green Flag Fresh Hop IPA – Mosaic – October 9
6. Boss Rambler Beer Club – Cone Drips Fresh Hop IPA – Centennial – September 19 (also in cans the following week)
7. Bridge 99 Brewery – Fresh Cascade Hops IPA – Cascade – September 15
8. Cascade Lakes Brewing – Sizzle Juice Fresh Hop IPA – September 29
9. Crux Fermentation Project – Pert Near Fresh Hop IPA – Centennial – August 25 (also in cans)
10. Crux Fermentation Project – Sabro Fresh Hop Hazy IPA – Sabro – September 15 (also in cans)
11. Crux Fermentation Project – Off the Fence Fresh Hop NW Pale Ale – Cascade
12. Crux Fermentation Project – Way Two Fresh – September 18
13. Deschutes Brewery – Fresh C Fresh Hop IPA – Centennial – September 8
14. Deschutes Brewery – Fresh Hop Fresh Squeezed – Mosaic – October 5
15. Deschutes Brewery – Talus About It Fresh Hop Hazy IPA – Talus – October 5
16. Deschutes Brewery – BFR Nugget Fresh Hop IPL – Nugget – October 5
17. Deschutes Brewery – Old Bend Heirloom Fresh Hop Gose – Unknown heirloom hops
18. Deschutes Brewery – Fresh Hop Mirror Pond (Portland Pub) – Cascade – October 5
19. Deschutes Brewery – Chasin’ Freshies Fresh Hop IPA – El Dorado and Zappa – October 5 (also in cans)
20. GoodLife Brewing – 150 Hippies – Community donated hops – September 17 (also in limited cans)
21. Kobold Brewing/Wild Ride Brewing collaboration – Strata Falls Fresh Hop Red Ale – Strata – September 18
22. McMenamins Old St. Francis School – Thundercone Fresh Hop Ale – Citra (also in cans)
23. Ochoco Brewing – Hop & Steamy Fresh Hop Ale – Community donated hops – September 24
24. RiverBend Brewing – Millenials Hate Centennials Fresh Hop Hazy IPA – Centennial – September 15 (also in cans)
25. Silver Moon Brewing – Hydrosphere Fresh Hop IPA – Strata – September 15 (also in cans)
26. Sunriver Brewing – D’Kine Fresh Hop IPA – Mosaic – October 3(ish) (also in cans)
27. Sunriver Brewing – Green Initiative Fresh Hop IPA – Strata – September 11
28. Sunriver Brewing – Zero Hour Fresh Hop Hazy IPA – Citra, Cashmere – September 29 (also in cans)
29. Three Creeks Brewing – Cone Lick’r Fresh Hop IPA – Centennial – September 9 (also in cans)
30. Wild Ride Brewing – Journey to a New Strata-Sphere Fresh Hop IPA – Strata – September 15 (also in bottles)
31. Wild Ride Brewing – Triumphant Fresh Hop Pale Ale – Triumph – September 21
32. Worthy Brewing – Jungle Juice Fresh Hop IPA – Multiple estate-grown varieties – October 2

Events

• Worthy Estate Fresh Hop Harvest – September 8
• Hop-Pickin’ Party at Crux – September 18 “It feels a little strange not brewing Off The Fence this year but with the extremely dry, and smokey conditions, we have made the tough decision to not use the hops on our fence.“