Fresh hops fest draws hundreds to park

Adding an exclamation point to the summer events calendar, Saturday's first-ever Sisters Fresh Hop Festival celebrated the fine art of hand-crafted microbrewing and the flavorful flower of the hop plant.

Hundreds of suds-lovers convened at Village Green Park to sample seasonal brews from 10 Oregon breweries, awash in liquid refreshment, tempting food and a full day of eclectic live music.

Julie McCann, of Anchorage, Alaska, drank in the atmosphere and sunshine at a picnic bench outside the main tent with her gang of revelers.

"This is our girl's ozone reunion weekend and we're here from four different states for birthdays and good times with old friends," McCann said. "The beer is excellent and so fresh. Each one has something different to offer. Looks like we picked a nice weekend."

Hops have been used as flavoring and stabilizing agents in the beer brewing process since the 11th century, when German brewmeisters in Bohemian gardens utilized the herb to balance the sweetness of the malt with bitterness. Hundreds of specialized varieties contribute a veritable bouquet of flavors and aromas, from citrus to spicy, caramel to floral.

Hops are normally added to beers in a dried form, but once a year, for a brief but glorious period, breweries around the world concoct special beers and ales punctuated with the rich tastes of these fresh hops direct from the vine.

Erin Borla, executive director of the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce, poured golden "Cone-Licker" beer for Three Creeks Brewing Co. and was all smiles at the better-than-expected turnout.

"What a great crowd," she said. "I've heard a lot of positive feedback and people are having fun."

This event is one of many fresh hop festivals planned over the next few weeks throughout Oregon.

Out on the lawns, kids and adults played washer "ring-toss" and frisbee golf, listening to the Box Car String Band and Annie Vergnetti, relaxing in the shade and munching on Slick's Que Co. barbecue.

Empty pint glasses were quickly filled with tantalizing samples from the diverse array of breweries present. Lucky Labrador Brewing, located in Portland, introduced their "Hop Mutt" pale ale, infused with a mixed assortment of fresh hops gathered from neighborhood gardens.

"A mutt can either make a great beer or a great dog," joked festival volunteer Gabe Gillan. "It's 100-percent original."

"Couldn't have asked for a nicer day on the first weekend of fall," said Marcus Peck of Sisters, squinting up into a brilliant blue sky and guarding a smoked German sausage platter.

"This is a perfect downtown Sisters party that's destined to grow for sure. I'll toast to that."

Tammy Anderson from Boneyard Beer of Bend featured their Bone-A-Fide pale ale and signature Black 13, a light porter with an espresso undertone.

"Fresh hops give the pale ale more of a bite and deliver malty goodness to the black. This event is a unique idea and people seem really happy," she said.

Ninkasi Brewing Company out of Eugene brought two fresh-hopped beers. Brewer Brennen Arndt kept the tap flowing and answered questions on his craft.

"To the first one, Parlay, we added 200 pounds of Perle hops to the mash, just hours after harvesting, giving it a nice herbal aromatic," explained Arndt. "The second, Total Crystallization, is based on our best-selling beer, our IPA. Four hundred and fifty pounds of fresh Crystal hops add a certain citrus and herbal note that's light and refreshing."

Chamber events director Jeri Buckmann was pleased with the enthusiastic response and community support.

"This is awesome, it's family friendly and we've got a great staff of volunteers and security," she said. "It's definitely something new we can build upon for next year."