Crux Fermentation: The Art Of Fresh Hop Beer

From Crux:

Ahh, the fresh hop… It’s that time of year that we clap and clamor for those little green beauties that bring us so much joy. With our brewery just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Oregon and Washington hop fields, we always try to be first in line to hold out our burlap sacks for our favorite farmers to fill with precious and delicate fresh hop cones.

From Bine to Brew Kettle:

The heart of fresh hop beer lies in its primary ingredient: the hop cone. Hops are the flowers of the hop plant (Humulus Lupulus) and are responsible for imparting bitterness, flavor, and aroma to beer. What sets fresh hop beers apart are the hops harvested within hours of being added to the hopback. Unlike traditional dried hops, which are used year-round and can be stored for months, fresh hops must be used directly after harvest to capture their unique qualities.

This year, we are thrilled to offer four distinct limited-edition brews that celebrate the art and flavor of freshly harvested hops straight from the bine, but grab them quick; their availability is short-lived.

Do you like the flavor and aroma of your beer turned all the way up? Cool, us too. Read on to see what beers we’re bringing back this year and a special new brew, too!

Pert Near – Fresh Hop IPA

First up, we’re brewing Pert Near Fresh Hop IPA with Centennial hops from our friends at Goschie Farms.

If you remember, we brewed this beer with McKenzie hops last year, but this time, we’re highlighting Centennials for a bold citrus take.

Limited-release 16oz cans and on tap

Look for it everywhere around Labor Day weekend!

6.9% ABV | 50 IBU 

Strataday – Fresh Hop IPA

Strataday Fresh Hop IPA is brewed at our Bend Tasting Room, starring multiple doses of Strata hops from Crosby Farms. Strataday serves up a combination of Crosby’s experimental CGX™ fresh hop lupulin product along with their famed whole cone fresh hops- this single hop wonder delivers notes of melon, pineapple, and green tropical fruit with a subtle dankness.

Limited-release 16oz cans and on draft

This one will only be available at our Bend Tasting Room & Portland Pub in mid-September!

6.5% ABV | 60 IBU

New Favorite – Fresh Hop Hazy IPA

New Favorite is brewed with, you guessed it, our new favorite experimental hop; this year, it’s the #586 in all its unfiltered glory. This intensely tropical hop explodes with mango, guava, lychee, and orange flavors with a slightly peppery finish and smooth mouthfeel. 

Limited-release 16oz cans and on draft

Look for it everywhere in late September!

6.5% ABV | 45 IBU

NØ MØ Fresh Hop IPA – Non-Alcoholic

We brewed this freshest installment of our NØ MØ lineup with Fresh Amarillo Hops. Because there’s just no substitute for the bright, ripe flavors of just off-the-bine hops, we’ve crafted this limited edition NØ MØ using only traditional brewing methods to capture all the fresh goodness of our favorite season with none of the alcohol.

Limited-release six-pack cans will be available in our Bend Tasting Room & Portland Pub and online in late September!

Contains less than 0.5% alc/vol

Fresh hop beer is a celebration of nature’s bounty, innovation in brewing, and the artistry of creating exceptional flavors. It’s a reminder that beer is a product of time, place, and craftsmanship. Join us in raising a glass to the harmonious symphony of flavors that only fresh hops can create. Cheers!