Columbia Gorge's Fresh-Hop Fest Comes to Hood River Again for 16th Year

Published 08/29/2019 at 7:13 PM PDT
By OREGON TRAVEL DAILY STAFF

(Hood River, Oregon) – One of the Columbia River Gorge’s biggest and “beeriest” events returns on September 21, with the Hood River Hops Fest and its 40-some breweries from around the Pacific Northwest. The massive brewfest fills downtown Hood River for only one day – now in its 16th year.

Brewmasters from around the region debut their seasonal fresh-hop beers, with over 60 unique varieties available for tasting.

The 2019 brewery line-up will be announced at the beginning of September on the Hood River Hops Fest website. Numerous Hood River breweries, including pFriem Family Brewers, Double Mountain Brewery, Full Sail Brewing and Ferment Brewing Co. are participating in the festival and showcasing their 2019 fresh-hop ales, alongside other regional heavyweights. A small selection of local ciders will also be on tap, along with select wines from Naked Winery.

What are fresh-hop beers?

Just about every bottle of beer in the world uses dried hops, and this process gives beer its bitterness and other flavors and aromas, such as fruits, forests or even hints of flowers. Fresh hops, however, are never dried. They use the hops at peak ripeness, which means they can only be used in local breweries: they must travel quickly to their destination.

The end result is a whole other spectrum of aromas and fruity tastes – qualities starkly different from other beers.

“The Pacific Northwest is known for its fresh-hop beers, and Hood River Hops Fest is the perfect place for local and regional brewers to showcase their innovative, world-class fresh-hop beers,” said Kate Schroeder, Executive Director of the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce, host of the event. “Festival-goers can make a weekend of it, exploring everything else that makes our area so special, including great places to stay, wonderful places to eat and drink, hiking, biking, a downtown art walk and historic downtown shopping area, and the beautiful Hood River County Fruit Loop, where you can go apple picking, cider tasting and more, all with awesome Mount Hood views.”

Hood River Hops Fest features local cuisine, arts and crafts vendors, and live music. Children are welcome throughout the afternoon. The venue is open to adults only from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

2019 Hood River Hops Fest Details

WHEN
Saturday, September 21, 2019. Open to all ages from 12-5 p.m., and adults ages 21 and over from 5-8 p.m.

WHERE
Downtown Hood River, Oregon, in the Columbia Parking Lot (between Fifth and Seventh Streets and Cascade Avenue and Columbia Street)

TICKETS
• 21+ Entry-Only Ticket: $10
• 21+ Beer Garden Ticket: $15 presale; $20 day-of. Includes entry, commemorative glass mug and five 3.5oz. taste tokens
• Under 21: Free admission. Note: The venue is open to people 21 and older only from 5 p.m. until closing at 8 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at hoodriver.org/hops-fest, or at the entrance the day of the event.

MORE INFORMATION
Call the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce at (541) 386-2000 or visit the official Hood River Hops Fest website and Facebook page.