Occidental Brewing Co. Releases Fresh Hop Pilsner
The first fresh hop beer of the 2019 hop harvest has hit the Portland market as of today. Occidental Brewing released its 2019 edition of Fresh Hop Pilsner today at its brewery in Portland’s Cathedral Park neighborhood.
At the beginning of the week Occidental Brewing made a trek south of Portland to Goschie Farms in Silverton, Oregon. Once there, Occidental Brewing picked up freshly harvested Hallertauer Mittelfrüh noble hop cones and then drove them back to Portland. Upon returning to the brewery, these Hallertauer Mittelfrüh hops were then added to the brite tank with Occidental’s Pilsner.
This version of Occidental Pilsner is an ode to Oregon hop farmers in a refreshing brew for the end of summer that sits at 4.8% and 55 IBU. Flavor and aroma notes include a balance of spice, fruit, and fresh flowers.
Fresh Hop Pilsner is currently on tap in Occidental’s Portland taproom. The fresh hop beer is also available through Maletis Beverage in 16oz cans as well as half barrels.
About The Author
DJ
D.J. is a Portland, Oregon based writer that spent his formative years in the Midwest. With over 25 years under his belt of drinking beer at festivals across America and the world, he has developed a strong appreciation and understanding of craft beer and the industry that surrounds it. He can be found in any of the great breweries or beer bars that make Portland the best beer city in the world. His writing can also be found in the archives of Northwest Brewing News and can be followed on Twitter and Instagram at @hopapalooza.
The photo makes me smile! I haven’t seen that many hops in a while and wish I could have been there as well. I love how, in the past decade, craft beer has grown! When I was young we had a ranch on the Santiam River in Linn County Oregon, not too far from Lebanon. Orchards beyond belief and folks couldn’t sell anything as..everyone had the same trees. Too bad no one thought of growing hops then!
Trish might never see this, but I’m thinking farmers grew what was usually common or profitable at the time.
Because breweries were not nearly as common before the 2010s, there is no way anybody could have predicted the explosive growth and decided to plant hops.
The brewing bubble is popping and more places are closing. That doesn’t mean microbrewers will cease to exist.
Try predicting what will be popular in 10-20 years and grow that now. My point is, you can’t, because nobody knows.