Yakima Valley Wine-5th Annual Fresh Hop Ale Festival

Dozens of Craft Beers• Commercial Brewers’ Fresh Hop Ale Awards: 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place and “Most Pours” • 2 wineries • Music by The Blue Tropics & The Shreds • Cigar Tent • Brewing Demos • Local Restaurants & more!

The Fresh Hop Ale Festival showcases beers produced with fresh hops from the Yakima Valley – which accounts for over 77% of the total United States hop crop. Approximately two-thirds of the hops produced in the Yakima Valley are exported to countries all over the globe. You will be able to sample brews, dance to live music, and enjoy the downtown Yakima ambiance, all in support of Allied Arts of Yakima Valley’s community arts programs.

Join us for the excitement of award-winning craft breweries, live music, homebrew demos, a cigar tent, fabulous raffle, special 5th year glassware, plus local food and wine. Among Washington beer festivals, the festival's premise is specific and unusual. Here's the deal: to create a "fresh hop ale" brewers must get "wet" Yakima hops (which provide aroma and flavor to beer) from the vine to the vat within 24 hours to create the headlining ale.

The Yakima Valley should be a priority stop for anyone interested in coming to beer's "source".