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As we head into the fall season here in the Finger Lakes region, the selection of beer changes just as the leaves on the trees do. For beer drinkers, the fall season is often synonymous with Oktoberfests and pumpkin ales, however it is also a time to celebrate some other fantastic beers that are the result of the bountiful hop harvest – namely fresh hopped beers.

Fresh hopped beers are those which use fresh whole cone hops within 24 hours of being harvested. The peak of hop harvesting season here in the northeastern United States is last August, therefore fresh hopped beers are a treat available only during a short time frame.

Typically, hops (Humulus lupulus) are harvested, dried over a period of 1-2 weeks and then frozen for use throughout the year. Many commercial breweries also use hops which have been pelletized and kilned as the shelf life in this form is much longer and thus more cost effective. However, in fresh hopping, hops go directly from the plants, called bines, right into the brewpots of local breweries to make special only once-a-year beers.

Not only do fresh hopped beers represent a limited time offering, but they also impart a special flavor than their more common counterparts made with dried or pelletized hops. Fresh hopped beers impart more herbal, floral, even fruity characteristics that you don't often get in standard-hopped beers. They are a true seasonal offering that cannot be easily replicated other times of the year, so get them while you can!

Locally, we are fortunate to have a good number of breweries making fresh hop beers along the Finger Lakes Beer Trail. Here are some to look for this season:

Bandwagon Brew Pub
114 North Cayuga Street, Ithaca
2013 Harvest Ale
Made with Nugget and Cascade hops from the Rhizome Republic (Freeville, NY)
Release date: September 18th, draft only

CB Brewing Company
300 Village Square Blvd., Honeoye Falls
Flaherty's Hop Harvest Ale
Made with Cascade hops from Gro-Moore Farms (Henrietta NY)
Release date: September 12th, draft only, available at all three Flaherty's locations and CB's tasting room.

Crafty Ales & Lagers
2 Exchange Street, Phelps
Wet Hop Rye
Made with Chinook hops from Mahoney Bros. Hop Farm (Cheshire, NY)
Release date: Approximately third week of September

Empire Brewing Company
120 Walton Street, Syracuse
Empire Hop Harvest Ale
Made with Cascade, Magnum, and Bullion hops from Foothill Hops Farm (Munnsville, NY), Valley View Hops Farm (Layfayette, NY) and the Gardens at Polo Ridge (Syracuse, NY).
Release date: Approximately September 14th

Fairport Brewing Company
99 South Main Street, Fairport
Bluebell Pale Ale
Made with Cascade hops from Bluebell Hopyard (Victor NY)
Release date: September 26th

Finger Lakes Beer Company
8462 State Route 54, Hammondsport
Estate IPA
Made with Cascade hops grown at the brewery 
Release date: Late September

Hopshire Farms and Brewery
1771 Dryden Road, Freeville
coHOPeration (community fresh hop ale)
Made with donated hops received from more than 20 growers including commercial farms and backyard hop growers. Varieties received include mostly Cascade but also some Willamette, Nugget, Newport, Chinook and some unknown varieties.
Release date: Approximately September 28th.

Ithaca Beer Company
122 Ithaca Beer Drive, Ithaca
Outdoor Ale
Made with Cascade, Centennial, and Chinook hops from Pedersen Farms (Seneca Castle, NY)
Release date: Mid-September, draft only.

Keuka Brewing Company
8572 Briglin Road, Hammondsport
607 Pale Ale
Made with Cascade hops grown at the brewery
Release date: Mid-October

Naked Dove Brewing Company
4048 State Route 5 and 20, Canandaigua
Hopulus Localus Hop Harvest Ale
Made with Cascade and Centennial hops from Pedersen Farms (Seneca Castle, NY)
Release date: September 10th.

The North Brewery
110 Washington Avenue, Endicott
Marvelous Double Chocolate Stout
Made with Sterling hops grown in a friend's backyard
Release date: Mid-September

Rogues' Harbor Brewing Company
2079 East Shore Drive, Lansing
Fresh Hop Route 34 Red Ale
Made with Willamette and Perle hops from Bee Hoppy Farms (Genoa, NY).
Release date: September 13th

Rohrbach Brewing Company
97 Railroad Street and 3859 Buffalo Road, Rochester
2013 Harvest Ale
Made with fresh Centennial hops from a local farm in Macedon, NY
Release date: Available now

Upstate Brewing Company
3028 Lake Road, Elmira
Fire Pit American Pale Ale
Made with Centennial and Willamette hops from a local farm in Dix, NY
Release date: September 10th

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