Hop growers and brewers in Oregon celebrate a return to the No. 2 spot nationally just in time for the 2025 fresh hop harvest.
Oregon hop growers are back in the No. 2 spot for hop production in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest data, with 5,421 acres strung for harvest in 2025. That pushes the Beaver State ahead of Idaho (5,109 acres), though still behind Washington (31,701 acres), the perennial leader. The announcement comes just as hop harvest kicks off and brewers across the Pacific Northwest prepare to roll out a flood of fresh hop beers—arguably one of the most exciting and ephemeral seasons in craft beer.
Hop harvest timing + terroir = fresh beer magic
The Willamette Valley’s soil, climate, and proximity to “Beervana” (aka Portland) help Oregon hop growers deliver ultra-fresh hops to brewers within hours of being picked. This proximity powers the region’s thriving fresh hop beer culture—something that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
“Our fresh hop beer season is unlike anywhere else in America,” said Michelle Palacios, executive director of the Oregon Hop Growers Association. “The Willamette Valley’s unique terroir allows us to produce hops specifically for craft brewers.”
Gayle Goschie of Goschie Farms echoed the importance of local relationships: “Nothing is more exciting than inviting a talented brewer to visit the farm so they can feel the soil and see all the hard work and care that goes into producing the hops that will one day make their way into glasses, bottles and cans.”
Why this year matters more than most
Fresh hop beer season in Oregon is a crucial moment for a struggling industry. Hop acreage nationally dropped 18% last year and another 4% in Oregon in 2025, reflecting broader declines in craft beer sales. With the Brewers Association projecting a 5% dip in sales halfway through 2025, growers and brewers are both feeling the squeeze.
Oregon’s beer economy still packs a punch, generating 46,700 jobs and nearly $9 billion in annual economic activity. But with more than 70 breweries, taprooms, and brewpubs lost in the last two years alone, the state’s industry is in a moment of recalibration.
Fresh hop beer season might not solve those problems, but it sure helps shine a spotlight on the unique strengths of Oregon-grown hops and the deep-rooted partnerships between growers and brewers that make it all possible.
