Oregon is widely known for their hops; they down right love ’em. In fact, in the not to distant past Oregon was the world’s leasing hop producer. Craft brewing starlet the Cascade hop was even bred in a hop breeding program at Oregon State University. So, with that love of hops in mind, The Oregon Hop Commission has announced a series of Fresh Hop Festivals (or deftly named TASTIVALS) to run through October.
This year’s fresh-hop fests will be held across the state every Saturday in October, from noon to 9 p.m. (except Oct. 27, when festivities will conclude at 7 p.m.). On Oct. 6, the Tastival will be a part of the Hood River Hops Fest on Columbia Street across from the Full Sail Brewery in Portland, OR. McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale hosts the hops Oct. 13. A week later, the beer will flow at Ninkasi Brewing, 272 Van Buren St., Eugene. On Oct. 27, Deschutes Brewery, 901 S.W. Simpson Ave., Bend, will offer drysiders a taste of the fresh-hop ales.
If you’re lucky enough to live within striking distance of any of these “Tastivals”, do yourself a favor and check one out; there’s nothing a beer lover can compare to fresh hops, it’s like a kid in a candy shop. Enjoy.
