Brewers Jeff Edgerton (left) and Karl Ockert (right) add fresh hops to the hop jack at BridgePort.
On Tuesday August 27th, 2008 BridgePort brewers fired up their hop jack and poured a massive amount of whole cone Centennial hops fresh off the vine. 250 pounds of large, sticky, lupulin-rich green hops per brew (about 67 barrels constitute one brew)were used. This was in addition to between 75 and 80 pounds of pellet hops used for bittering the base beer. This beer according to brewers Karl Ockert and Jeff Edgerton was similar to the original Blue Heron recipe from the '80s...only a bit bolder.
The brewing process began as plump Centennials--some more than three inches long--were harvested at BC Hop Farm in Woodburn, Oregon. Centennials are dual-purpose hops used by many brewers for both bittering and aroma and impart a pungent, citrus-like flavor and aroma. The 2008 BridgePort Hop Harvest ale will brew to around 7% ABV and will possess a green, earthy flavor profile. In total, 255 barrels of this year's Hop Harvest will be brewed. The beer will be available in 22-ounce bottles following a release party at the BrewPub on September 6th at 6PM. For more information, visit BridgePort Brewery at 1313 N.W. Marshall St. call 503-241-7179 or go on-line to www.BridgePort.com
BridgePort brewmaster Karl Ockert with fresh Centennial hops in the jack.
