:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Where-to-Drink-in-the-Hops-Capital-of-the-US-FT-BLOG0924-Bale-Breaker-01-55c9f67407844343bf76c297dca94e96.jpg)
Centrally located in Washington state, the Yakima Valley produces an abundance of apples, cherries, and pears. Perhaps more importantly for beer lovers, it’s also a critical agricultural area for growing hops. Farmers in the valley grow and harvest 75% of the United States’ hops, which are used as a flavoring agent to bring balance to great beers.
A visit to hop country is the ideal trip for a beer lover any time of year, but the very best time to visit is fresh hop season which, depending on harvest schedules, typically runs from late August through September and into early October. Some local breweries grow their own hops for use in their beers, while others are able to go pick up fresh hops right down the road to incorporate into their annual fresh hop beers, without wasting any time. Here’s how to plan the ultimate tour to experience Yakima’s hop country.
Bale Breaker Brewing Company
Courtesy of Bale Breaker Brewing Company
Bale Breaker’s tagline is “fresh off the farm” and they mean it. Three siblings opened the brewery on a corner of the family’s hop farm in 2013. Their great grandparents started farming hops in the early 1930s, and the family still runs two hop farms today. Visit to see just what a hop field looks like, with tall wooden poles holding lush bines filled with hops, then sample beers that have been crafted with the crop grown just steps from the front door. Grab a seat inside or head outside for open, grassy seating to take in the sights and smells of a hop harvest.
Cowiche Creek Brewing Company
Courtesy of Cowiche Creek Brewing Company
Cowiche Creek’s Home 40 Taproom sits on 40 acres with some of the best views in the valley. You’ll see rolling hills in the distance and a view of the hops on-site from the edge of the taproom’s large outdoor space. The brewery uses estate-grown hops in its lineup of seven beers and serves a full food menu on-site with a focus on farm-grown and locally sourced ingredients to pair with your brew.
Single Hill Brewing
Courtesy of Craft Beverage Yakima
Single Hill Brewing opened in 2018 to serve as a much-needed hub for the community in Yakima’s downtown. The taproom takes up a large corner block, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, lawn games, and hop bines growing next to a sidewalk. The brewery aims to highlight the many types of hops grown throughout the Yakima Valley, whether those are staples, such as Citra and Strata, or experimental hops. There are 24 beers on tap including fresh hop brews, hoppy IPAs, lagers, and fruited sours. Bring a picnic to pair with a pint, or try a new dish from an on-site food vendor.
The Public House of Yakima
Courtesy of Public House of Yakima
With two locations in Yakima that serve as community watering holes, Public House of Yakima has 120 taps of variety. Try beers and ciders from eight Yakima-area producers, including fresh hop offerings when available. Plenty of other Pacific Northwest breweries are available on tap as well, and a food menu features pub fare and absolutely giant Bavarian pretzels with beer cheese and beer mustard.
Tieton Cider Works
Kieraraephotography / Courtesy of Tieton Cider Works
Tieton Cider Works has been embracing the agricultural bounty of the area for 15 years. The Yakima taproom serves hard ciders made from apples grown in nearby Tieton, Washington. Try a glass of fresh hopped cider to celebrate the season, or choose a flight to sample six of the signature ciders including Blueberry, Huckleberry, and Bourbon Barrel Peach. Both indoor and outdoor seating are available, with frequent food trucks on site offering lunch or dinner to pair with a glass.
HopTown Wood-Fired Pizza
Courtesy of Hoptown Pizza
Stop for pizza at HopTown between brewery visits. One of the owners is a hop farmer’s daughter, who grew up fully immersed in the agriculture of the area. That love for local is evident on the creative pies with toppings like Italian sausage, red onions, black olives, and fresh mozzarella. During hop season in September, you can try a special with hops sprinkled right on top of the finished pie. Pair it with a fresh hop beer from a local brewery for the ultimate experience.