OnTap Magazine

34 | Spring 2025 | ontapmag.co.za the cones from the leaves and stems. Hop cones are then kiln-dried, cooled, baled, and sent off to the pellet plant. To preserve the qualityofthehops,thisprocessisimpressively quick and efficient. Brewers visiting for hop selection have the opportunity to evaluate samples from freshly packed bales, noting the subtle differences from lot to lot, farm to farm, and even within the same variety harvested in different picking windows. The result is a deeply collaborative process blending sharp sensory acumen, teamwork, andmaybe even a shared beer or two. By engaging directly on the farm with the hops and the farmers who grow them, brewers forge a connection to the land where their ingredients are grown, and in turn, to their own beers. It’s more than just the business of recipe design or maintaining a flagship brand; it’s an opportunity to meet the folks shaping future flavours, share a pint, and swap stories across industries as the season unfolds. The hoppy good times are not limited to industry insiders. Local produce stands overflow with the region's seasonal bounty and are perfect for stocking up for a picnic in the scenic Yakima River Canyon. The surrounding Cascade foothills invite adventurers year-round, with fishing and raftinginthewarmermonths,orsnowshoeing andskiingwhenwinter takeshold. Beer lovers outside the trade may find opportunities to arrange a hop field visit, but if not, Bale Breaker Brewing Company happens to sit right between two hop fields, so you can check the hop field selfie off your list. During summer or early autumn nights, everyone seems toendupat SingleHill Brewing right in downtown Yakima, a gathering place where you can count on finding friends or making new ones, over a pint or beside the fire. As the crow flies, the Yakima Valley is about 18,000 kilometres from the Western Cape of South Africa (but I don’t think crows fly that far). While this may feel like an impossible distance, the valley experience is welcoming to all, every year. Yakima offers a unique experiential blend of industrial and agricultural expertise, and a romantic passion for the land. A place where tradition and innovation grow side by side, and where every pint of beer offers a thread of history to the valley of its origin.