The Unique Aspects of Hops: How Region and Harvest Time Influence Flavor

Although the four of the main ingredients of the beer bring to the glass their own characteristics, the chemical influence of the hops are really significant not only in the foam, appearance but also, and mainly in the aroma and flavor of beer. The final descriptors of the beer are deeply connected to the hop's origin and the timing of its harvest. Did you know that?

In the United States, two prominent hop-growing regions—Yakima Valley in Washington and the Willamette Valley in Oregon—demonstrate how regional factors and harvest timing contribute to the distinctiveness of hops.

The Impact of Region on Hop Characteristics

1. Yakima Valley, Washington:

The Yakima Valley is renowned for its ideal hop-growing conditions. The region benefits from a combination of factors:

• Climate: Yakima Valley’s semi-arid climate provides the perfect balance of hot summers and colder winters. This temperature variation helps in developing complex hop aromas and flavors. The warm days and cool nights enhance the concentration of essential oils in hops, leading to vibrant and intense aromas.
• Soil: The soil in Yakima Valley is rich in volcanic ash and well-drained, which is excellent for hop cultivation. This soil composition ensures that hops receive the right nutrients and have an optimal root environment, contributing to their robust and diverse flavor profiles.
• Water: The water in Yakima Valley is another key factor. It is low in minerals, which helps in achieving clean and crisp hop characteristics. This water profile is crucial for preserving the delicate aromatic compounds that define the hops' flavor. Note that we always talk about the water characteristic in the beer but it's really fundamental also in the hops and the barley.

2. Willamette Valley, Oregon:

The Willamette Valley also boasts unique conditions that affect hop quality:

• Climate: Unlike Yakima, the Willamette Valley has a more temperate climate with higher humidity. This environment can result in hops with softer, more rounded flavors. The moderate temperatures ensure a slower maturation process, which can lead to more nuanced and layered hop profiles.
• Soil: The soils in Willamette Valley are typically loamy and rich in organic matter. This type of soil provides excellent drainage and fertility, contributing to hops that are well-balanced and aromatic.
• Water: Water in this region is generally softer with a slightly higher mineral content compared to Yakima. This can impart a distinct mineral quality to the hops.

In addition, both valleys do not have the same characteristics from one end to the other. Each valley has a lot of areas, some higher, lower, with their own conditions that also cause differences within the same area. We will leave this point for another article =)

The Influence of Harvest Timing

The timing of hop harvest plays a critical role in determining the final characteristics of hops. Each hop variety responds differently to early, mid, and late harvests, which impacts the composition of terpenes and thiols. These compounds significantly affect the aroma and flavor profile of the hops.

1. Early Harvest:

Early harvest hops are typically picked before they reach full maturity, and these hops often have:

• Bright Aromas: Early harvested hops exhibit fresh, bright aromas such as citrus and herbal notes. In hops like Amarillo, early picking results in more pronounced citrus (lemon, orange) and floral aromas, thanks to higher concentrations of volatile terpenes like linalool and limonene.
• Our Amarillo "Fruit Punch" - Late Harvest… Tropical Fruit, fruit salad, less resin, more sweetness and fruit forward profile… Puterbaugh Farms terroir and technic… hazy IPAs, Modern IPAs, or contemporary west coast ipas…
• Lower Alpha Acids: Alpha acids, which contribute to bitterness, are typically lower in early harvest hops. This can result in a more subtle bitterness, ideal for hop-forward styles such as IPAs and Pale Ales that benefit from a vibrant aroma and less aggressive bitterness.
• Columbus "Citrus" - CLS - Our Columbus has lower alpha (on purpose) because we aim for the aroma and flavor profile. Columbus is typically late harvest because of higher alpha and because it doesn't have much value as a variety compared to proprietary and modern varieties. Early picked Columbus is very bright, citrusy and almost none of the typical resin and OG characteristics. We always "hunt" for early harvest Columbus for late hopping additions. Columbus has the greatest known capacity of linalool transfer from hops to wort, with 50% greater transfer capacity than any other known variety. So If you have a high linalool Columbus lot, you can use that in your favor for late hopping additions where monoterpenes, as linalool, can be better preserved in your finished beer.
• Enhanced Freshness: Early harvested Strata hops, for instance, can retain more volatile thiols like 4MMP, which contribute to tropical fruit aromas such as passion fruit and mango. These early harvest hops bring a zesty, fresh quality to beers, perfect for hop-forward and aromatic styles.
• We always aim for very balanced Strata lots, with both a very tropical profile and a fresh and clean dank resin in the background. A unique hop with lower myrcene levels that make It the perfect dry hopping hop, contributing to intense tropical fruit character and pretty much no grass/spice contribution. Other varieties that are used frequently for dry hopping, like Citra® and Mosaic® typically have more than 60% Myrcene in its total oil composition, whereas Strata typically has less than 30%. Myrcene can contribute to a lot of "bite" or "harsh" perception when drinking a heavily dry hopped beer.

2. Mid Harvest:

Mid-harvest hops strike a balance between fresh and mature profiles, offering:

• Balanced Aromas: Hops harvested mid-season, like Luminosa, display a harmonious mix of bright citrus and richer fruit notes. In particular, Strata hops harvested mid-season show both tropical and resinous characteristics, with balanced levels of terpenes like myrcene and humulene, resulting in both fruity and earthy tones.
• Balanced Bitterness: Mid-harvest hops, including Amarillo, feature a moderate alpha acid content, providing a well-rounded bitterness suitable for a range of beer styles. The balance of bitterness and aroma makes these hops versatile for various craft beers.
• Complexity: Thiols in Luminosa hops, harvested mid-season, contribute to a tropical profile with hints of peach, guava, and citrus, enhancing the beer’s complexity without overwhelming the palate.

3. Late Harvest:

Late harvest hops are more mature and develop richer and more robust flavor profiles.

• Richer Flavors: Hops like Amarillo, when harvested late, shift towards deeper and more resinous notes, with more pronounced pine, earth, and woody flavors. These hops tend to exhibit more humulene and caryophyllene, resulting in a fuller, spicier character ideal for stouts and porters.
• Higher Alpha Acids: Late harvest hops tend to have higher alpha acid levels, increasing the bitterness. In varieties like Strata, this enhances the resinous quality, contributing to a stronger, more bitter backbone, which works well for beers that require a robust hop presence.
• Drier Aromas: Late harvest Luminosa hops may produce fewer bright citrus notes and more stone fruit flavors like peach or apricot, along with earthy and woody undertones, making them perfect for richer, fuller-bodied beers.

Both the Yakima Valley and Willamette Valley provide ideal growing conditions that shape the terpenes and thiols present in hops, such as Amarillo, Strata, and Luminosa. Understanding how the timing of the harvest—whether early, mid, or late—affects the chemical composition allows brewers to select hops tailored to their specific beer styles. Whether you’re after the fresh, zesty notes of early harvest hops or the richer, more robust flavors of a late harvest, each period offers a unique opportunity to influence the character of your brew.

Although this is just a small glimpse of the differences between the two regions and harvest times, our team of experts study year after year how the area changes in order to help you make the best selection. Thank God we have them to enlighten us =)