Wet-Hopped Beers: The Last True Seasonal?

Fall is a great time for beer.  Of all the “drinking festivals”, Oktoberfest is probably the most beer-friendly (at least “good-beer”-friendly).  Millions the world over raise liter after liter of strong, hearty lager to toast Prince Ludwig.  Pumpkin ales are among the most heavily-anticipated seasonal beers of the year – who doesn’t love that warming, spicy note to prepare us for cool weather?

Lately, though, it’s become clear to beer lovers that the “seasonal” moniker is being applied more liberally than ever before.  Brewers & distributors seem to be in a race to get their time-sensitive beers on the shelves, a mixed blessing of what’s become a very competitive market.  We at the House are certainly not absolved of this practice, having tapped our first pumpkin ale on August 1^st.  Beermakers & sellers definitely play fast & loose with the definition of “season”, to the frustration of some – Sixpoint Brewing decried this year’s early appearance of pumpkin beers.  Many brewers use frozen pumpkins or puree, making a harvest-time irrelevant.  And thanks to temperature control technology, Oktoberfests no longer have to be stored in caves over the summer, & saisons (French for “season”) can be brewed year-round.  Like most foods, beer styles are pretty much available all the time, whenever the craving strikes.

And we at the House have no problem with that!  We’re all for having a broad selection of styles & taste available to the thirsty faithful.  However, there is a big exception when it comes to this whatever-whenever availability, & one that’s especially exciting to those in the know.  This time of year is when hopyards harvest their cones.  Many are shredded & turned into pellets or just frozen whole, but lucky are those that get picked & immediately sent to the brewery for used in the freshest of the hoppy beers: the wet-hopped harvest ales!  Using fresh, or “wet” hops even before they are air-dried, gives pale ales & IPAs a fresh, bright, inviting aroma & flavor.  Southern Tier & Great Divide make some great examples, & Sierra Nevada even brews fresh-hopped beers for each of the Northern & Southern Hemisphere harvests.  As the hops have to be used as freshly as possible, these beers are truly time-sensitive beers that reinforce the concept of “seasonal”.  Defy modern beer & food consumption with a truly season-appropriate beer; these things can’t be rushed, so stay tuned at the House for arrivals as they come in!