This Saturday the 28th is definitely “Fresh Hop Day” across the state of Oregon, and while there’s been a ton of ink devoted to that big festival up in Hood River, there is also the fourth annual Sisters Fresh Hop Festival taking place here in Central Oregon which is offering up fresh hop beers from 17 breweries this year and might be a little more accessible to locals that going to Hood River for the day.

It takes place from noon to 8pm in Sisters’ Village Green Park, a nice spot a couple of blocks off the main drag in the center of town (of course, Sisters being tiny, “main drag” is relative!). From the press release:

Admission to the event is free and open to all ages. A souvenir taster pint glass is available, and required to taste the brews, for $5 and tasting tickets are $1 per 4 oz. taste.

“We have more breweries and more beers than ever,” said John Rivera, Events Coordinator for the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s really exciting to see the festival continue to grow with all of the enthusiasm for seasonal fresh hop beer. Make sure to come down this year and vote for your favorite fresh hop beer in the ‘People’s Choice Award.’ We’ll be giving away the very prestigious ‘Golden Bunny Award’ to the winning brewery.”

KWPK, The Peak 104.1, will kick start the Festival, followed by free live music by Lewi Longmire, Leif James, and Greg Botsford. A portion of the proceeds will benefit local non-profit groups and the Sisters Chamber of Commerce High School Scholarship Fund.

Here are the breweries that will be on hand:

• 10 Barrel Brewing (Bend)
• Bridgeport Brewing (Portland)
• Cascade Lakes Brewing Company (Redmond)
• Crux Fermentation Project (Bend)
• Deschutes Brewery (Bend)
• Fort George Brewery & Public House (Astoria)
• Full Sail Brewing Company (Hood River)
• GoodLife Brewing (Bend)
• Harvester Brewing (Portland)
• McMenamins Old St. Francis School (Bend)
• Portland Brewing (Portland)
• Ninkasi Brewing Company (Eugene)
• Seven Brides Brewing (Silverton)
• Smith Rock Brewing Company (Redmond)
• Three Creeks Brewing Company (Sisters)
• Widmer Brothers Brewing (Portland)
• Worthy Brewing (Bend)

This is one of my favorite Central Oregon beer events of the year, not in the least because I absolutely love fresh hop beers. It also provides a great showing for our local breweries’ fresh hop offerings while still being nicely low-key.

See you on Saturday!