My latest article to appear in the Bulletin, out today, is not surprisingly on the topic of fresh hops. I review Three Creeks Brewing’s annual Cone Lick’r Fresh Hop Ale, and also talk about the Sisters Fresh Hop Festival coming up this Saturday. (See here for details and the beer list.)

Some 900 pounds of Centennial hops made their way into the beer, at a rate of 15 pounds per barrel (a total of 60 barrels were brewed). The brewery’s description notes, “The abundance of hop resins from the fresh Centennials create an additional spiciness along with the classic orange rind notes characteristic of Centennial hops.”

I picked up a bottle of Cone Lick’r — it was quite fresh, bottled only two weeks prior — and found it enjoyable and a great example of what a fresh hop beer can be. Those Centennial hops do indeed offer up a spicy presence. In the aroma, I found notes of zesty, spicy fresh greens (nettles and dandelion come to mind) along with green peppercorn.

It’s similarly spicy in flavor with an herbal, peppery impression, and a savory bite offering up some piney resin notes. A pleasant bitterness of fresh wild greens lingers into the aftertaste, shoring up a crisp, dry malt body.

Cone Lick’r is always a good fresh hop beer each year, and this year’s version is drinking well.

Go check out the article; there’s also info about Three Creeks’ other fresh hop beer, Comet Down.