Ground Breaker Brewing Announces 2015 Fresh Hop Meridian Pale Ale Release

Last weekend Ground Breaker made their annual trek to Goschie Farms in Silverton, Oregon to pick up 150 pounds of fresh Meridian hops. Most of the brewery crew cut their Labor Day weekend short to take advantage of this once a year opportunity, and we thank them.

The fresh hop version of Ground Breaker’s Pale Ale is unlike anything else the brewery offers. Fresh Meridian hops add an herbal character and brings their lemon-candy characteristic forward in a far different way from brewing with kilned hops.

Fresh Hop Meridian Pale Ale will be available in bottles and on draft Wednesday, September 16th, in the Ground Breaker Gastropub. Bottles and a few kegs will be headed to retailers in Oregon and Washington later the same week.

About Goschie Farms

Goschie Farms, nestled within the hills of the Pacific Northwest’s scenic Willamette Valley, has been a fixture in the Oregon farming community for 130 years. In addition to growing over 550 acres of hops and 150 acres of wine grapes, Goschie Farms also grows 300+ acres of other crops including grass seed and corn. The farm’s current location was established by Herman and Vernice Goschie. It is now managed year-round by three of their children: Gordon, Gayle, and Glenn in addition to a cadre of wonderful team members. Frequently cited as an example for sustainable farming practices, Goschie Farms was the first hop farm in the nation to be certified as Salmon-Safe and now grows all of its crops in accordance with salmon-safe guidelines. The farm is also a notable colloborator with industry research, having worked with scientists and researchers from Oregon State University, USDA, and the NRCS (in addition to a number of other organizations) to improve the health of Oregon crops and expand the amount of information available to other growers and industry partners.