The latest beer from Double Mountain Brewery is a collaboration with Perrault Farms of the Yakima Valley, brewed with newer, unnamed hops (all “HBC” numbers) — Grower 397 West Coast IPA. I received a bottle of the new brew recently to review.

Here’s the press release with all the details:

Embrace the essence of Yakima Valley’s vibrant hop culture with Grower 397, a tantalizing West Coast IPA resulting from a collaboration between Double Mountain and Perrault Farms. This exciting partnership brings together the craftsmanship of brewing with the dedication and expertise of hop cultivation, offering beer enthusiasts a truly unique and flavorful experience.

Perrault Farms is an amazing hop farm dating back to the early 1900’s that also grows blueberries and raises Bison. The name Grower 397 comes from the stamp they put on every bale. They are Grower 397, which gets stamped alongside the variety and date. The star of this beer is undoubtedly the hops sourced directly from their farm. HBC 586, HBC 638, and HBC 1019 hops infuse the brew with delightful aromas of bright orange, ripe stone fruit, pineapple, and subtle herbal notes, creating a product that is both invigorating and memorable.

Jason Perrault, a key figure in hop breeding and development at Perrault Farms and the hop industry in general, played an integral role in selecting the hop varieties for this collaboration. His expertise and passion for innovation have resulted in the inclusion of experimental hops like HBC 638, which shows promise as a replacement for the beloved Centennial variety.

Reflecting on the collaboration, Double Mountain emphasizes the importance of connecting with local growers and celebrating the rich agricultural heritage of the region. By bridging the gap between farm and glass, Grower 397 pays homage to the hard work and dedication of the farmers who make it all possible.

Double Mountain is really excited about this project. They are ecstatic to connect with the folks who are growing hops that they use, and to make some beer with hops they hope to use more of in the future. So tip one back, thank a farmer, and get on to enjoying that sunset after a hard days work.

Grower 397
West Coast IPA: Perrault Farms Collab
6.0% Alc/Vol 55 BU

The brew crew visited Perrault Farms in Toppenish, WA early this spring and came away with a trio of new hops to play with. HBC 586, HBC 638, and HBC 1019 lend aromas of stone fruit, mango, bright orange, and kind herb to this crisp and easy West Coast IPA, keeping it balanced, aromatic, and easy.

I expect this should be an interesting showcase of the new, experimental hops.