Nestled in the fertile Yakima Valley of Washington is a place called Puterbaugh Farms. As a home brewer, it is better known as Hops Direct. Puterbaugh Farms is a fourth generation hop farming family that produces quality hops for brewers.

According to their website, the family forefathers were farmers in France and migrated to Canada and then onto Mabton. Puterbaugh Farms currently produces 11 different hops varieties.

A few of my brewing buddies and I decided that we needed a few pounds of hops to make it into the winter. I contacted Hops Direct on the telephone and was greeted by a very friendly voice.  I told her that I wanted to drive to Mabton and for a local pickup of some hops. She told me that they normally like a 24 hour lead time but would be glad to process my order more quickly.

I placed our order for six pounds of various hops and was assured they would be ready when I arrived. After a few hours of driving and several wrong turns, I arrived at Puterbaugh Farms.  I walked into the warehouse and was greeted by friendly staff of completed my order. I told her lucky she was working around such great smelling hops all day long. She looked at me funny and laughed.

Hop Direct leaf hops are cut directly from their bail and sealed in a light-impermeable mylar bag. The hop leaf arrives at your doorstep as fresh as possible. Hop Direct type 90 hop pellets are vacuum sealed in mylar bags. You can visit the Hops Direct website at http://www.hopsdirect.com.