Fresh Hop Brewing

Pagosa Brewing Co. - (Pagosa Springs, Colorado)

Hop 'N Fresh Ale - (100% Cascade Hop) - ABV 5.6%

Our wet-hopped, Hop 'N Fresh is an American Strong Pale Ale. We used fresh, hand-picked Cascade hops from our friends at San Juan Hop Farms in Montrose. The four of us (myself, Julie, Matt & Alicia) camped out Saturday night in the hop fields and had a great outdoor BBQ with the Ska & Steamworks picking teams. We picked hops all day Sunday and quenched our thirst with the help of many beer bearers (thank you Holly & Crew). Then Sunday evening, we drove the four hours back to Pagosa Springs, milled-in, and brewed with them first thing on Monday morning...less than 24 hours after picking!

For those interested in the brewing process, we used our freshly picked Cascade hops in the mash, first wort, hopback, and then later dry hopped with them too. The challenge in using wet hops is that bitterness is calculated on a "dry hop" weight. Wet hops weigh considerably more. So, after a bit of research, we opted for a 4:1 ratio.

And, we're very happy with the results of this unique 100% Cascade hop beer. You can smell and taste the "Greenness" of the wet hops in Hop 'N Fresh Ale, making it both a very tasty and extremely quaffable beer. And, it's as fresh as you can get! Visit www.pagosabrewing.com

-Tony-