Brewing with fresh hops requires a bit of planning AND flexibility. Because fresh hops degrade quickly, it’s important to brew with them before they begin to compost. That’s why we encourage farm pick-ups for those that are within driving distance, and why we only ship fresh hops to markets that have direct air cargo flights that ensure our hops reach the end destination still COOL and FRESH to be brewed with that same day.

Please note that hops are an agricultural product, and that the approximate harvest dates that we have listed below will MOST LIKELY CHANGE! Various factors (weather, equipment, how quickly or slowly other varieties are harvested, etc) impact harvest dates, so please plan some flexibility into your brew schedule. We will email updated harvest windows as they are determined. And one day prior to pick-up, we will send updates via text and email.

All Indie Hops varieties are $4.35/lb, plus freight if applicable, and sold in 35 pound increments. This year’s fresh hop offerings are listed below.

1. FARM PICK-UP of fresh Indie Hops varieties — Strata, Audacia, Lórien and Luminosa.

A quick note: many of you aren’t familiar with Audacia. This is the second year that we’ll be offering our newest release as a fresh hop! Audacia is a versatile hop that will punch flavors of juicy berries and lilac/rose floral into hop-driven beers. Please reach out to us if you have any questions about this hop. We’d love to help you plan your fresh hop brew!

Estimated harvest dates are:

Strata: August 24-27
Lórien: August 25
Luminosa: August 27-28
Audacia: August 27th & 29th

2. SAME-DAY AIR CARGO of fresh Strata.

We’re offering this option to contract customers in the following markets: Sacramento, Bay Area (Oakland), Burbank, Orange County, San Diego, Phoenix and Denver. We pack these hops at 4AM when they’re nice and cool, then hustle them to the Portland airport to catch direct morning flights. These hops arrive still cool, and are whisked away to brewhouses for brewing that same day the hops were harvested. Please fill out the order form below to get on the list, and we’ll confirm pickup location.

Estimated dates for this program will be August 25-26.
PLEASE NOTE: Orders for this option close on August 15.

3. SAME-DAY DELIVERY of fresh Strata to Seattle markets.

We’ve teamed up with the crew at Coleman Ag to offer a fresh hop delivery of Strata to the Seattle market. Picked and packed early at Coleman Ag, and then driven via reefer truck straight up I-5 to Reuben’s Brewing. We’ll aim to arrive mid-morning to accommodate same day brewing.

Estimated dates for this program will be the fourth week of August.
PLEASE NOTE: Orders for this option close on August 15.

4. SAME-DAY AIR CARGO of fresh Luminosa.
For the first time, we’re excited to offer our “liquid sunshine” hop via Air Cargo! Luminosa transports you to the white sands of a Caribbean beach with its bright, fresh tropical fruit flavors of peach-mango lemonade, candied orange peel, boysenberry, papaya and guava. Unlike most “punchy” hops, Luminosa is almost completely void of the resinous/piney character that usually comes along for the ride — allowing for versatility in the brewing process. Perfect flavors for a FH summer crusher!

Estimated dates for this program will be the last week of August.

5. SAME-DAY AIR CARGO of fresh Chinook.

You asked, we listened! We’re once again offering this option to contract customers in the following markets: Sacramento, Bay Area (Oakland), Burbank, Orange County, Phoenix and San Diego. We pack these hops at 4AM when they’re nice and cool, then hustle them to the Portland airport to catch direct morning flights. These hops arrive still cool, and are whisked away to brewhouses for brewing that same day the hops were harvested. Please fill out the order form below to get on the list, and we’ll confirm pickup location.

Estimated date for this program will be September 2nd.

6. FARM PICK-UP of fresh Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, Crystal, US Fuggle, Mt. Hood, Sterling, US Tettnang and Willamette.

We’re happy to help you get set up directly with a farm for these varieties. Once you’re set up, you can communicate with the farm(s) for harvest dates and purchase from the farm upon pick-up. Please contact Matt if you’re interested in these public varieties that Indie Hops offers.

Estimated harvest dates are:

US Fuggle/Tettnang: August 18-19
Centennial: August 20-23
Willamette: August 28-29, Sept 2
Chinook: September 1-2
Sterling: September 3
Cascade: September 4-5
Mt. Hood: September 3
Crystal: September 8-9