Back at Puterbaugh Farms: A New Season, A Familiar Feeling

Every year, returning to the Yakima Valley feels a little like coming home.
The scent of freshly kilned hops, the hum of the sorting machines, the bins being cleaned and filled again, it’s a rhythm that never gets old.

This season, our visit to Puterbaugh Farms in Mabton, WA reminded us why we do what we do. Walking through the facility, watching the process, from the moment the bines arrive at the picker to the exacting care that goes into drying and storing each lot, it’s impossible not to feel respect for the people who make all of this possible.
And, as always, the real excitement begins when we start selecting.

Karma® (EXP 25) – Lot 25-WA399-102

Karma is a brand-new variety developed through a collaboration between Puterbaugh Farms and Charles Faram (UK), one we’ve followed closely since its early trials. This year, the lot we selected (harvested August 15th, 2025) showed a brilliantly clean, modern profile.

On the nose, it opens with zesty citru, think candied orange peel and citrus mousse, layered with light berry nuances, a touch of anise, and fresh mint that lifts the whole experience. There’s an herbal undertone, but it’s subtle, clean, and elegant rather than rustic.

What makes this Karma lot so special is its balance: it feels contemporary and expressive, yet refined enough for lagers, hop-forward blondes, or West Coast-style pale ales that aim for brightness over intensity.

It’s a hop that feels alive, with that same energy we sensed in the fields.

Amarillo® “Fruit Punch” – Lot 25-WA399-127

If you’ve brewed with Amarillo, you already know its importance in shaping modern IPA aroma. But the Mabton micro-terroir adds something truly unique, a juicier, more tropical dimension that’s earned it the nickname “Fruit Punch.”

This year’s lot, harvested September 7th, 2025, was a standout among our tables.
The first impression bursts with yellow fruit, pineapple, ripe peach, and hints of passion fruit, wrapped in a soft citrus background that keeps it refreshing rather than cloying.

It’s vibrant, expressive, and unmistakably Amarillo, but with that extra layer of tropical brightness that makes it irresistible for hazy IPAs, modern pale ales, or anything that wants to scream fresh hop character.

A Season to Remember

This was one of those visits where everything aligned, the fields looked incredible, the lots showed consistency and personality, and our selections came together naturally.
Standing there, surrounded by the familiar buzz of the kiln fans and that sticky green aroma that stays on your hands for hours, I couldn’t help but think how far this relationship has come.

Puterbaugh isn’t just a farm; it’s a cornerstone of our hop story, a partner that reminds us why Hops Company isn’t about distribution, it’s about curation.
Every lot tells a story, and these two,Karma and Amarillo “Fruit Punch”, are definitely chapters worth brewing with.

If you’re in Europe or Brazil and want to learn more about our 2025 selections, or request samples from these specific lots, feel free to reach out, we’d love to share them with you.