Take an armchair visit to a unique brewery, pub or other intoxicating venue that has a story you’ll love.
Bale Breaker Brewing Company:
Today we head to the very heartland of hop production – Yakima Valley, Washington. Located in central Washington State, Yakima Valley is an extremely productive agricultural region noted for apple, wine and hop production. And according to the USDA, Washington produced 73 percent of the United States hop crop for 2019.
Hop Harvesting in Yakima Valley
Bale Breaker Brewing Company is nestled in Yakima Valley. They opened their 30-barrel production brewery in April 2013.
Owners Patrick Smith, Meghann Quinn, and Kevin Smith are steeped in brewing heritage. Their great-grandparents started Loftus Ranches in Yakima Valley in 1920 and planted their first hops in 1932, the year before Prohibition ended. Today, Loftus Ranches is among the largest growers of hops for the craft beer industry.
Surrounded on three sides by a field of Cascade hops, the Bale Breaker Brewing facility is approximately 11,000 square feet and houses an onsite taproom. Bale Breaker sells no food. However, you can bring your own food or order delivery and sit outside. Bale Breaker features a beautiful outdoor patio and lawn area, perfect for enjoying the Yakima sunshine.
Bale Breaker Brewing Company
The brewery pays homage to its hop growing heritage by demonstrating an array of magnificent hop-derived aromas and flavors in their outstanding beers. Topcutter IPA is Bale Breaker’s flagship beer. Named for a unique piece of farm equipment that removes hop vines from the trellis during harvest, this beer packs tons of bright and fresh hop citrus, pith, fruit, and floral aromas and flavors. The beer features late additions of Simcoe®, Citra®, Ahtanum™, and Mosaic™ hops and showcases Yakima Valley hops at their finest.
If you want to try beers that feature Yakima Valley hops at their best, Bale Breaker Brewing Company is a must stop. If you visit in late August or early September, you can watch the hop harvesting.