Head Full of Fresh Hops – Fresh Hop IPA (6.8% ABV)
Fremont Brewing – Seattle, WA
Short Little History
Each fall, Fremont Brewing embarks on a journey to the heart of hop country — the Yakima Valley — to hand-select and brew with hops harvested just hours before. The result is Head Full of Fresh Hops, an annual celebration of the season and the Pacific Northwest’s world-renowned hop farms. Brewed at the peak of freshness, this beer captures the fleeting vibrancy and resinous aroma that define true fresh hop ales. Fremont has made this release a beloved tradition, showcasing both their technical mastery and their deep respect for the farmers who make it possible.
Key Features
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Style: Fresh Hop India Pale Ale
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ABV: 6.8%
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Brewery: Fremont Brewing – Seattle, WA
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Hops: Hand-harvested Pacific Northwest varieties (often Centennial, Citra, Mosaic, and more)
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Release: Seasonal (Fresh Hop Series)
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Format: 16oz cans
Tasting Notes
Head Full of Fresh Hops bursts with aromas of juicy citrus, mango, and pine resin, followed by layers of tangerine peel, melon, and a touch of green, grassy freshness that only comes from hops straight off the bine. The flavor is lush yet balanced — bright tropical fruit meets earthy bitterness, wrapped in a smooth, lightly hazy body. Every sip captures that short-lived window when the hop fields are alive and fragrant, delivering a pure taste of harvest season in the Pacific Northwest.
Awards (Even from Past Releases)
Fremont Brewing’s Head Full of Fresh Hops series has consistently earned praise from critics and beer fans alike:
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Regularly featured in “Best Fresh Hop Beers” lists by craft beer publications
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Fremont Brewing has won multiple GABF and World Beer Cup medals for hop-forward beers across styles
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Celebrated annually as one of the region’s premier fresh hop IPAs
Overall Expression of the Product
Head Full of Fresh Hops is a vibrant, aromatic tribute to the annual hop harvest — bright, juicy, and alive with resinous energy. It’s a beer that bridges the field and the glass, reminding drinkers of how fleeting and special true fresh hop flavor can be. With its lush aroma, balanced bitterness, and unmistakable freshness, it stands as a flagship of the Pacific Northwest’s hop heritage and one of the most anticipated seasonal IPAs of the year.
