This week I received a fresh hop beer from Hood River’s Double Mountain Brewery, the new Iowa Bar Fight Fresh Hop IPA, a collaboration with Solera Brewery of nearby Parkdale. Iowa Bar Fight joins Double Mountain’s fresh hop Killers lineup, brewed with fresh Strata hops sourced from Crosby Hops. Killer Red and Killer Green, the other two returning bottled beers, were brewed with fresh Centennial.

No Killer Juicy in bottles this year, however; that one is draft only along with Mishegoss IPL which you can find at the brewery’s various locations.

Here’s the press release the brewery issued the week before with all the details:

As the 2023 hop harvest season kicks into high gear, Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery is once again leading the charge, bringing the farm-fresh goodness straight to your beer glass. The brewery is excited to announce the launch of its highly-anticipated fresh hop beer collection, including the fan-favorites Killer Red and Killer Green, both available as of today, and introducing Fresh Hop Iowa Bar Fight IPA, a collaboration with Solera Brewery. The brewery will also offer two draft only fresh hop beers this season, Killer Juicy IPA and Mishegoss IPL, which will also be released later this month.

This year’s fresh hops are all sourced from Crosby Hops in the Willamette Valley. Crosby Hops boasts a long-standing six-hundred-acre family hop farm. This picturesque farm, nestled between the majestic Cascade Mountains and the pristine Oregon Coast, benefits from the region’s temperate climate, making it an ideal hop growing environment. It’s no wonder that the Willamette Valley is renowned for producing some of the finest aroma hops on earth!

Every year, as the cones reach their peak, Double Mountain hops into action. Once the go ahead is given by the farm, we dispatch the reefer truck straight to the farm, where the freshest hops are plucked right off the bine. In a race against time, these hops are swiftly transported back to the brewery to create some truly killer beers within hours of picking.

Crafting the perfect beer is an art, and at Double Mountain, we believe that music plays a crucial role in enhancing the flavor, aroma, and overall ambiance of the tasting experience. To that end, Double Mountain has curated three individual Spotify playlists that harmonizes with each beer in our fresh hop lineup. Whether you’re sipping on the rich and ruby hued Killer Red, indulging in the crisp and refreshing Killer Green, or savoring the bold flavors of Fresh Hop Iowa Bar Fight, there’s a musical accompaniment to suit every palate.

Beer aficionados have two great options to savor these exceptional brews. Visit one of Double Mountain’s three inviting taprooms to enjoy these beers in person, where you can soak in the ambiance and connect with fellow beer lovers. Alternatively, take the taste of the hop fields home with you by picking up a refillable 500ML bottle of Killer Red, Killer Green, or Fresh Hop Iowa Bar Fight at any three of our Taproom locations.

Anecdotally, I’ve noticed what seems to be a lot more fresh hop beers this season brewed with Strata hops than many others (Centennial is always an early contender too). I don’t know if it’s simply more popular to brew “fresh” with or that’s just how the growing and harvest season timed out.

I’ll have thoughts on Iowa Bar Fight soon!