Disclosure notice: This post was sponsored by Total Marketing and I was financial compensated. The opinions are edited to fit my own experience.
Have you been enjoying your fresh hops yet? No? Why not?! There is no better time than the present to dig into and enjoy beers that are being made from only the freshest hops available. Brewers are working hard to deliver the freshest beer made with the freshest hops, usually with a turn around of less than 24 hours to get the hops from the vine and into the brewing kettle.
Most of America’s hops are harvested in the Pacific Northwest in states like Washington and Idaho, though that’s not stopping breweries from outside of that region from embracing the concept of freshly hopped beer. Great Divide in Denver, Colo., for example, makes one of the best fresh hop American IPAs out there while the Terrapin Beer Company in Athens, Ga. makes sure to get its hops shipped via overnight delivery to use in the brewing process as quickly as possible.
But enough chatter! Here are several fresh hop brews that you just need to try before they’re gone. And just to be safe, you need to make sure that no one is trying to fool you with a beer featuring hops from 2012. That just wouldn’t be right.
- Great Divide Fresh Hop Pale Ale: This is definitely one of the best fresh hop beers you’ll be able to taste. That is, of course, if you’re able to find it. This beer can move pretty fast in certain locations, so if you see some, get it. Everything about it is subtly flavored, which means you’ll be able to get your not-so-ale-fond friends into this too.
- Terrapin So Fresh & So Green, Green: It’s got a fairly strong bitterness to it, sure, but what do you expect from fresh hops used to brew an IPA? Exactly, but also, it’s actually not that bitter. The aroma, which is fruity and floral, is a nice touch and so is the beer’s reference to a similarly named Outkast song.
- New Belgium Fresh Hop IPA: Here we have one of the stronger fresh hop beers in the bunch, as it weighs in at 7 percent alcohol by volume. Like its cohorts, it’s got a citrusy aroma and plenty of that hoppy taste you’re looking for. And it’s also one of the freshest, as New Belgium is known to move the hops from the vine to the brewing process in less than a day’s time.
- Founders Harvest Ale: Like Great Divide, it’s well known that Founders very rarely fails with its brews. Proving that point is the delicious Harvest Ale, a 7.6 percent alcohol by volume IPA with a slightly sweeter citrusy aroma. That same quality hits the palate with a grapefruit-like flavor profile, though it’s not overwhelming enough to turn off any fruit haters.
And of course, you will definitely need some activities to go along with your drink(s) of choice. Here are a few that should hit the spot:
- Watch Football: There are few things that go more hand-in-hand than beer and sports. And with the baseball season now officially over, it’s time to get into football. The NFL is officially in week nine, which means you’ll be able to get caught up while watching some of the more intense games of the season. Not only that, but college football is well underway, too, so you pretty much can’t go wrong if you’re a pro or college fan.
- Online Gaming: Gambling on the Internet is becoming not only more popular but easier to do, which is made evident by the services offered at Betfair. That’s particularly true when taking on their Arcade section, which should appease your inner-child and your, well, grown-up self. You’ll find slots and games modeled after various comics books, including Spider-man and The Incredible Hulk, along with TV shows such as Baywatch and The Sopranos. And speaking of TV…
- Cozy Up With Your TV: While it’s true that you’re already spending some quality time with your television by watching football, there are killer shows on right now that can’t be missed. HBO’s extremely popular Boardwalk Empire, for example, is having yet another awesome season. And on the flip side, Marvel’s new series, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., should appease any comic fans out there. There’s also NBC’s Thursday night saving grace, Parks And Recreation, and Fox’s way-too-funny The Mindy Project.
There! Now go drink, relax, and, most importantly, enjoy!
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