I am sure that most of you, if you’re like me, have been getting your fill of seasonal pumpkin and winter beers over the last few weeks. But lest we forget, there are some fine fresh hop ales still lingering around. One of the better ones I have come across is the Cowiche Canyon Organic Fresh Hop Ale from Fremont Brewing. more ›

This is a special time of year for beer lovers. Octoberfest is approaching, bringing a bevy of great beer releases with it. But before Octoberfest, there is a celebration of a different sort for hops lovers, as the hops harvest rolls in and fresh hop ales are offered by brewers which take advantage of the bounty. more ›

Thankfully on Monday we had an opportunity to purge our system at Latona Pub. They were the tapping the Fremont Brewing Company’s Universale Pale. It felt great to support a local brewery and the event got us excited about our hop harvest. We’re hoping we have enough homegrown hops and coriander to brew a witbier. Growing hops has been a relatively easy process. If you’re interested in having your own hops next year ask your local homebrew supply store about rhizome availability for planting in spring. more ›

Two local techies, Chris Castillo and Joe Valvo, owners of the new Laughing Buddha brewery, follow the market price of hops with rapt attention. Five bucks a pound six months ago, a spike at $50, now settling down at a relatively affordable $20. Galena and Northern Brewer they buy for the bitterness in the brown ale, a Czech variety for the lager. So far, they've been getting what they need from other breweries. The grain comes from Larry's Brew Supply in Kent. The pandan? From Viet Wah, the Asian supermarket group. more ›

more ›

more ›

more ›

more ›