High Hops Beer: Where To Buy And Enjoy

Hops are an essential ingredient in beer, and there are many places to buy them. If you're looking to buy hops online, there are plenty of reputable beer brewing equipment experts on Amazon. There are also specialist sites such as Hops Direct, Hopsteiner, and Northern Brewer. If you'd rather buy in person, you can find a local specialty beer brewing shop.

Online: Amazon or hops specialists like Hops Direct and Hopsteiner

If you're looking to buy hops online, there are a few options to consider. Amazon is a well-known e-commerce platform that offers a wide range of products, including hops. As a large retailer, they may have a variety of hops available, but their selection might be more general and not as specialised as dedicated hops retailers.

For a more specialised option, you can explore online hops specialists such as Hops Direct and Hopsteiner. These companies are specifically focused on providing hops for brewing and offer a diverse range of hop varieties. Hops Direct, for example, sources their hops from the Puterbaugh Farms, a fifth-generation hop-farming family based in the Yakima Valley of Washington State. They offer a range of domestic and imported hop pellets with different alpha acid levels and aroma profiles, including citrusy and floral options.

Hopsteiner, on the other hand, is a global hops supplier with over 170 years of experience. They are a vertically integrated company, involved in hop growing, breeding, trading, and processing. Their website offers an online shop with a selection of aroma hops, hop oils, and other hop-related products. With a strong focus on agricultural practices and sustainability, Hopsteiner provides unique hop varieties and innovative hop products to breweries of all sizes.

Both Hops Direct and Hopsteiner offer detailed descriptions of their hop products, including alpha acid percentages and aroma characteristics, making it easier for brewers to select the right hops for their specific beer styles. Whether you choose a general retailer like Amazon or a specialised provider, online options provide convenience and a wide selection for your high hops beer needs.

In-person: Local speciality beer brewing shops

If you're looking to buy hops in person, your best bet is to find a local speciality beer brewing shop. You can try searching for these shops on Google or asking your friends and colleagues, especially those who are homebrewers. Local speciality beer brewing shops will be able to provide you with a range of hops varieties and other beer brewing equipment.

For example, in the US, you can find hops at Northern Brewer, which offers a wide variety of hops for different flavours and aromas, including floral, citrus, spicy, and fruity varieties. They also provide resources for growing your own hop rhizomes. Another option is Hops Direct, which offers a range of discounted hops, including the popular Amarillo variety, known for its floral, citrus, and peach notes.

If you're located in Washington State, you can check out Puterbaugh Farms, a fifth-generation hop farming family that has been growing hops in the Yakima Valley since the 1930s. They offer a range of hop pellets with unique aroma and flavour profiles, such as the Altus variety, known for its spicy, dank, and resinous aromas with hints of tangerine and herbal notes.

Additionally, if you're looking for a specific type of hop, you can try searching for local breweries that use that particular hop in their beer. For instance, if you're interested in trying beers made with the popular Cascade hop, you might visit the High Hops Brewery in Windsor, CO. They have a wide selection of beers on tap and often feature new flavours, so you can explore the different tastes and aromas that different hops impart to the beer.

Yakima Valley, Washington State: Puterbaugh Farms

If you're looking to buy hops for brewing beer, then Puterbaugh Farms in Yakima Valley, Washington State, is the place to go. This fifth-generation hop-farming family has been growing hops in the fertile soil of Yakima Valley since the early 1930s, and today, the family takes pride in knowing that four generations have worked to grow and harvest only the highest-quality crops.

The story of Puterbaugh Farms began when Noel Charvet, a French immigrant, moved his family from Canada to Yakima Valley, Washington, in 1932. The family settled in Mabton, Wa, and planted their first hop farm. Over the years, the farm has expanded, adding more acreage and machinery, and today, Stacy Puterbaugh, his brother, sisters, and two sons work the 1,200-acre hop farm. The family grows 19 different hop varieties, including unique varieties like Belma®, which imparts strawberry, citrus, melon, and grapefruit notes, and offers them for sale directly to brewers.

The farm has a strong focus on quality and takes every step necessary to ensure their hops meet their high standards. The hops are dried at precise temperatures, handled with care, and kept in cold storage year-round until delivery. Puterbaugh Farms also offers farm and facility tours by reservation during the Hop Harvest season, which runs from early August through late September.

In addition to Puterbaugh Farms, there are other options for purchasing high-quality hops for brewing beer. One such option is High Hops Brewery in Windsor, CO, which started as a small home brew shop and tasting room and has now expanded into a full-blown 40-tap brewery. They offer a variety of beers on tap, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Windsor, CO: High Hops Brewery

High Hops Brewery in Windsor, CO, is an adult-only (21+) brewery that offers a wide range of beers to cater to different tastes. With 40 taps, the brewery guarantees something for everyone. They also have a distillery, The Heart Distillery, under the same roof.

The brewery is located at 6461 Highway 392, Windsor, CO 80550, and is open from Tuesday to Sunday. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, it is open from 12 pm to 5 pm, on Fridays from 12 pm to 7 pm, on Saturdays from 10 am to 7 pm, and on Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm.

High Hops Brewery has come a long way since its early days as a home brew shop with a small tasting room. It now boasts a full-blown 40-tap brewery with an additional 30-barrel brew system. The owners and staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming, creating a relaxed atmosphere for patrons to enjoy their drinks.

The brewery also offers a variety of food options, including pizza, pretzels, and chips and salsa. They also have live music on Fridays and food trucks, ensuring a fun and unique experience for visitors.

However, it is important to note that High Hops Brewery has a strict no-children policy, which has been a point of contention for some customers. While some prefer the adult-only environment, others have expressed disappointment and frustration with not being able to bring their families.

Germany: Noble hops

Germany is well-known for its beer and has a long history of hop cultivation and brewing. German hops are often associated with noble hops, which are considered to be the highest quality and most aromatic hops available. These hops are characterised by their delicate and complex aromas, which can include floral, spicy, and fruity notes.

The four main types of noble hops are Tettnang, Spalt, Hallertauer, and Saaz. Tettnang hops are named after the German town of Tettnang, located in the south of the country, and are known for their distinctive spicy and fruity aroma and flavour. They are commonly used in lager and wheat beer. Spalt hops, originating from the town of Spalt in Bavaria, are often described as having a delicate and refined aroma with a hint of spice. Hallertauer hops, also from Bavaria, have a mild, slightly fruity and spicy flavour with floral notes. Finally, Saaz hops, which are closely associated with lager brewing, have a delicate floral aroma.

Noble hops are traditionally used in pilsner beers, which originated in the Czech Republic. However, these hops are also used in a variety of other beer styles, including lager, wheat beer, and English ales. German hops are sought after by brewers worldwide for their ability to impart unique flavours and aromas to beer.

When buying hops, it is important to consider the type of beer you want to brew and the specific flavour and aroma profile you are aiming for. Many online retailers offer a wide range of hops, and you can also find them in specialty beer brewing shops.

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