Fresh Hop Beers are here!

I realized I needed to get this thing up quick, especially sense the winter beers are starting to show up on the shelves already! Here are a few reviews of some fresh hop beers that I've been enjoying this fall and should be available to most everyone in the states.

Up first, a nationally available favorite of mine that I always look forward to...

Sierra Nevada: Estate Home Grown
This is the 3rd annual fall release from Sierra Nevada is brewed with their own hops and barley that are organically grown right next to the brewery in Chico. This wet hop ale is rich and flavorful with pungent herbal hops with undertones of floral and citrus. The malt presence is equally as rich and zesty which makes this beer a hearty and well balanced IPA. While the price is a bit steep ranging anywhere from ($8-$12), what sets it apart from the rest is the "homegrown" aspect. It's like paying a few extra bucks to get grass fed locally sourced beef or farm fresh vegetables. Those few extra dollars go a long way when you are going for quality over quantity!


For those of you down South, this was an interesting change of pace...

Terrapin's So Fresh & So Green, Green
This is the 2nd release of this annual fresh hop ale that I've deemed a hoppy amber (despite BA categorizing it as an IPA). With a transparent mahogany hue this thing is loaded with floral aromatics. It's got a fairly rich caramel malt back with undertones of citrus and a lingering sweet floral note probably due to the fact that it is a single hop beer using the Challenger hop variety. Amber ales pair great with pizza and I'm willing to bet this would be excellent with your favorite pie. Slightly higher on the bomber pricing on this one ($7 average).



Finally, this is a favorite pale of mine and is distributed widely throughout the states...

 Great Divide's Fresh Hop
With most breweries focused on using their allotted fresh hops for an IPA or overly hopped beer, Great Divide dials it back and showcases what fresh hops can do for the good ol' pale ale. Incredibly crisp yet oily, this fresh hop ale is so balanced and refreshing I wish it was offered in six packs. A grassy hop presence dominates the palate with hints of citrus/floral hops and a mild malt back and subdued bitterness in the finish. It certainly is a subtle beer and not only is it refreshing to the palate but it's also refreshing to know that American breweries can go back to their roots and producing a simply great tasting beer. On the more reasonable side of bomber pricing with an average of ($6).