Revolutionizing Fresh Hop Supply with Postharvest Technology
Over time, steep changes have come to the global hop industry, with RipeLocker being in the vanguard. As a game-changing technology making significant strides in the realm of hop preservation and availability, it has proven itself to be a veritable boon for breweries, growers and beer enthusiasts alike. It’s quite an upgrade from our last report about this remarkable low-pressure vacuum technology designed to extend the availability of “fresh” hops for breweries.
This year, RipeLocker has facilitated the distribution of almost 5,000 lbs of fresh hops, more than double the 2,000 lbs from the previous year. This burgeoning success is driven by a simple yet ingenious possibility: the extended brewing period for fresh hop beers, courtesy of growers preserving their harvest in RipeLockers.
Unlocking Unprecedented Opportunities for Growers and Breweries
Preserving hops and making them available beyond the traditional harvest season is a concept that has generated much excitement among craft microbreweries. The prospect of purchasing quality fresh hops all year-round is a huge advantage for small-scale, experimentative brewers who value quality ingredients. No wonder the industry has been closely following RipeLocker’s technological advancements.
The impact was more pronounced with Oasis Fresh Hop Farms in Washington, which stored and distributed an outstanding 4,134 lbs of fresh hops across continental US. Over 50% of this haul was snapped up by Tree House Brewery, Co. in Massachusetts while Idaho’s Mill 95 Farms supplemented this with an additional 800 lbs of fresh hops.
A Quality Boost and a Win for Brewers
“Traditionally, Oasis Fresh Hop Farms sells dried hops to Yakima Chief directly,” notes Tyler Sabin, Hops Manager at Oasis Fresh Hop Farms. “But our recent partnership with RipeLocker has opened up new markets for us. We’ve been able to sell superior quality hops directly to brewers across the US.”
He continues to detail how the process has changed for the better. “Our crew loves loading the hops into the chamber and getting to pick exactly which field gets chosen. Knowing we are putting a top-quality, perfectly fresh product out to brewers that will last up to 60 days provides us with financial stability and offers the best-of-the-best product without the hassle.”
Leveraging RipeLocker Technology for Better Outreach
With RipeLocker technology, there’s been a tremendous advantage for farms situated at far edges of hop-growing regions, such as the Yakima Valley. “Meeting with brewers to provide them with fresh hops has always been a challenge,” admits Tyler. “But with RipeLockers, we can hold varieties in our cooler and have them available either for pick-up at the farm or to be trucked out the day the brewer wants them.”
From Local to Global: Enhancing Hop Distribution Networks
RipeLocker is not just stirring a revolution in the US alone. The technology has enabled Mill 95 to offer Idaho fresh hops to breweries both across the US and internationally, according to Amaya Aguirre-Landa, Marketing & Communications Manager, Mill 95. In the past, the lack of suitable transportation options and the volatility of fresh hops hindered the export of high-quality, fresh hops beyond a 5-hour radius from the Idaho hop-growing region. Breweries like Ghostfish Brewing, Jellyfish Brewing, Coronado Brewing, Harland Brewing, Roadhouse Brewing Company, and HUDL Brewing are now enjoying the benefits of this innovative technology.
Transforming the Brewing Experience with RipeLocker
“We love using hops from RipeLockers at Roadhouse because it gives us the chance to extend our wet-hopped brewing season and to mix up varieties that usually cannot be brewed together, due to their different picking windows,” says Max Shafer, Brewmaster at Roadhouse Brewing Co. “I love being able to brew with two different varieties that have been picked at different times during the harvest. It adds depth and complexity to the beer that is simply unlike anything I have ever brewed or tasted.”
Indeed, as breweries, growers, and consumers continue to tap into RipeLocker’s innovative postharvest technology, it’s clear the future of fresh hop beers is ripe with possibilities.
Ingredients to the brewers, giving some new doors opening up in the industry unsurpassed hop quality. Ultimately, everyone wins!”
This leading-edge technology in hop preservation is revolutionizing the industry, making fresh hops more readily available to brewers and ultimately resulting in a higher quality end product for consumers. It’s exciting to see how this trend will continue to evolve and benefit the entire supply chain.
The use of RipeLocker’s postharvest technology is truly revolutionizing the fresh hop supply industry. Not only does it allow for extended availability of fresh hops, but it also offers higher quality ingredients for breweries and a significant boost for small-scale brewers. The impact of this technology is already remarkable and will continue to benefit the entire supply chain in the future.
For brewers.”
RipeLocker is truly revolutionizing the fresh hop supply industry with their innovative postharvest technology. Not only does it benefit growers by extending the availability of their harvest, but it also provides breweries with a consistent and high-quality source of fresh hops all year round. This recent success in distributing almost 5,000 lbs of fresh hops is a testament to the game-changing potential of RipeLocker for both growers and brewers.