WSU vs. Cal football: Baxter's beer of the game

Hello everyone and welcome back to the Internet's most adorable beer column. Baxter's got fresh beer today, as fresh as can be in fact. And it's portable (just like Bax).

Baxter is headed over to Central Washington today for the Yakima Fresh Hop Ale Festival. In case you didn't know, the Yakima Valley produces something like 70 percent of the hops grown in the United States, so it's the perfect place an awesome fresh hop event.

On the way over, Bax is going on a hike around Tipsoo Lake. We have a friend visiting from North Carolina, and Bax wanted to show her what tall mountains look like.

With a hike in store for the pregame festivities, Bax certainly wanted a beer in cans. And since this weekend is all about fresh hops, he thought the perfect choice would be Fremont Brewing's Cowiche Canyon Fresh Hop Ale, Citra and Simcoe version.

Citra and Simcoe might be my two favorite hop varieties. Citra sounds like it smells and tastes. Lots of citrus fruit, with just enough bitter. Simcoe is a little more dank, reminiscent of its cannabis cousin in aroma if used correctly.

A fresh hop ale is typically made with hops that were picked very recently and have yet to be dried. Sometimes this is done within 24 hours and you'll see those called "Wet Hop" ales. It's a great way to experience hoppy beers and they only come around after the harvest.

Craig's Review: The fresh hops are prevalent, obviously. Great aroma, mix of citrus and a little dankness. The beer is resiny, and ends with a nice bitter, but not too bitter, finish. Highly, highly recommended.

Baxter's Review: The beer smells a lot, I like the smell. It is nice in my nose. I hope I see a squirrel today. There are a lot of squirrels where there are a lot of trees. Why don't squirrels know I just want to play with them?

That's what Bax and I will be enjoying today for the Cougs. What will you be having?