Fresh Hop Ale Festival - Yakima — A Celebration of Fresh-Hopped Beer
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Yakima’s Signature Fresh Hop Festival
Yakima hosts the U.S.’s signature Fresh Hop Ale Festival in the center of the country’s hop-growing region.
What sets this celebration apart is its connection to the place where much of the nation’s beer begins: the Yakima Valley grows 75% of the nation's hops and ranks among the world’s most important hop-producing areas. Each September, every hop cone in the Valley is harvested and processed during 30 crazy days. The season reaches its peak at Yakima’s Fresh Hop Ale Festival, named one of the Top 10 Beer Festivals in The Nation!
The festival brings together 65 brewers from around the U.S., each competing with a fresh hop ale made specifically for the event and using only freshly harvested hops.
Fresh Hop Ales at the Source
Located right in the heart of U.S. hop country, the festival offers a one-of-a-kind craft beer experience for beer lovers. Every participating ale is crafted with a distinct hop-forward character, revealing the aromas and flavors of its particular hop variety in a way unique to fresh hop ale. Visitors can celebrate hops and independent craft brewing in the very place where their beer is grown.
Supporting Yakima County
Beyond beer, the festival helps strengthen its community and advance positive social change. The non-profit organization distributes festival proceeds as grants supporting the work of Yakima County arts and science organizations. In 2018 they donated $104,000 to 30 different groups.
At the Festival
Visitors can:
- Sample beers from participating brewers.
- Sip Yakima Valley wines and ciders.
- Enjoy local flavors from food trucks and vendors.
- Experience live music and activities alongside other beer lovers.