Thundercone Fresh Hop releasing September 19th

Fresh Hop season is in full swing now and fresh hop beers are now starting to arrive via draught and some bottled as well, at locations everywhere. McMenamins Thundercone Fresh Hop Ale will be released at all locations In Oregon and Washington on September 19th. On Friday I was invited out to McMenamins Edgefield to check out the production brewery and sample some beers. One of the samples was Thundercone Fresh Hop Ale (and given a growler to take home). This year McMenamins Fresh Hop Ale is using fresh Brewer's Gold hops at all 22 locationsin Oregon and Washington. I enjoyed the slightly spicy-herbal hoppiness aroma and the citrusy, herbal, spicy and earthy taste. So check out the McMenamins announcement below and get some Thundercone Fresh Hop Ale starting September 19th.

Autumn is arriving and, with it, McMenamins Fall Seasonal, Thundercone Fresh Hop Ale, is back for another year. To celebrate the hop harvest in the Pacific Northwest, McMenamins brewers have decided to create a seasonal beer utilizing fresh, or undried, hops straight from the hop fields. Throwing caution to the wind and using seven different vehicles, over 1,000 pounds of fresh Brewer's Gold hops are frantically delivered from Sodbuster Farms just north of Salem, Oregon, to 22 McMenamins Breweries all over Washington and Oregon, henceforth known as “The Running of the Brewers.” Each batch of Thundercone Fresh Hop Ale is brewed within hours of the hops being picked off of the vine. This is a daunting task but one that the McMenamins Brewers feel is well worth the monumental coordination involved. The resulting beer is an absolute fresh hop showcase.

Check out this cool video they made from the 2012 fresh hop harvest and making of  Thundercone.

This beer is so refreshing and hop-filled that you may think you are dreaming but, like Shakespeare's play, Thundercone Fresh Hop Ale is in reality a short lived dream come true.

Malts: Canada Malting Superior Pilsen Malt, Franco Belges Caramel Munich 40
Hops: Chinook (Bittering), Fresh Brewer's Gold hops (Flavor & Aroma)
OG: 1.061  TG: 1.013  ABV: 6.19%  IBU: 56  SRM: 7

 

Disclosure: I was given this growler of Thundercone Freshhop Pale Ale.