EHOP: Deschutes & Harpoon Collaboration Release at Great American Beer Festival

The Corner Office in Denver Colorado
The Corner Office in Denver Colorado

Initiating the 2015 Great American Beer Festival festivities this afternoon, Deschutes Brewery, Harpoon Brewery, Odell Brewing, Left Hand Brewing, and New Belgium Brewing came together to celebrate employee ownership. The event was held at The Corner Office Bar and Restaurant in Denver and showcased a wide range of beers from the five breweries. Each brewery brought a unique beer to the event ranging from Deschutes Black Butte XXII to Odell’s Rum Barrel Aged Stout.

Deschutes EHOP at The Corner Office in Denver at GABF
Deschutes EHOP at The Corner Office in Denver at GABF
Harpoon EHOP Tap Handle
Harpoon EHOP Tap Handle

Specifically of note was the Deschutes/Harpoon collaboration beer; EHOP, an amber ale brewed with thyme and sage. Both Harpoon and Deschutes are set to release individual interpretations of the style, with the Deschutes version gaining west coast distribution. The beer is an interesting take on the fall seasonal style with a culinary twist. EHOP is almost reminiscent of a pumpkin ale, with baking spices replaced by cooking herbs.

Harpoon Brewing's Dan Kenary with Deschutes Brewery's Jason Randles at The Corner Office Bar during GABF
Harpoon Brewing’s Dan Kenary with Deschutes Brewery’s Jason Randles at The Corner Office Bar during GABF

The EHOP designation is derived from the employee stock ownership program or ESOP, which both Deschutes and more recently Harpoon has adopted for their employees. Both Gary Fish of Deschutes and Dan Kenary of Harpoon were in attendance discussing the importance of employee owned corporations. A notable topic in an environment where brewery buy outs are becoming regular news.

Deschutes and Harpoon EHOP Amber Ale

Harpoon Take 5
Cans of Harpoon Take 5 at The Corner Office Bar in Denver during GABF.
Left Hand Good JUJU
Left Hand Good JUJU at The Corner Office Bar in Denver during GABF.