Even though the Yakima Valley has the distinction of being one of the largest hop growing regions in the world, there has been a distinct lack of local brewery options throughout the years. But over the last six years, things have changed dramatically. Taking advantage of their proximity to so many varieties of fresh hops, ten new breweries have opened in a short amount of time. Check them all out, and start planning your beer tasting tour to the Yakima Valley!
2013
Bale Breaker Brewing
Inspired by a family of hop growers going back four generations, this brewery was established right in the middle of one of their family’s hop fields. In a few short years, they have become the fifth largest independent craft brewery in Washington, with a 30-barrel brew house in a 27,000 square foot facility. The on-site taproom hosts frequent food trucks and events, with a beautiful outdoor patio and lawn. Tours of the brewery are hosted at specific times during the summer months, with dates and times announced in their newsletter, which you can sign up for on their website.
2015
Berchman’s Brewing
Berchman’s opened their taproom in the Historic District of Downtown Yakima, in the same building that Bert Grant had his original brew house. There is plenty of activity going on around Berchman’s, with the Downtown Summer Nights Free Thursday evening concerts all summer, as well as a number of music and food festivals throughout the year.
Hop Nation Brewing
Hop Nation opened in a one hundred year old fruit packing warehouse that was last used to house hops. They have regular live music on weekends, plus feature a roulette wheel to be spun every time a train goes by, hula hoops, card games, beer crafts and they also serve delicious BBQ. Save the date for their yearly “Carnival” event in early June.
2016
Bron yr Aur
This 10 bbl brew house is built in a log cabin style and located behind their amazing pizza restaurant, where their handmade dough is used for their gourmet pizza. There is a gift shop, outside dining area, large grassy area and views of the surrounding golden hills.
2017
Redifer Brewing Company
A family-owned nano-brewery in the heart of Downtown Yakima, Redifer encourages you to bring in your own food purchased from one of the many local restaurants nearby to pair with their tasty beers.
Wandering Hop
Hidden on a side street off of 20th Avenue in Yakima, their brew house has a 3.5 bbl system for their staple beers, and a 1/2 bbl pilot system for experimental brews.
Valley Brewing
Founded by three best friends with a passion for craft and a love for beer. After lots of trial and error and tasting, they have come up with an exceptional product. Their tasting room is located on River Road in west Yakima.
Cowiche Creek Brewing Company
Their 2000 sq.ft. brewery building houses a 20 bbl brew house, all built by Derrick Nordberg, the brewer and his family. Their brewery is in a beautiful country setting west of Yakima with stunning views of the hills to the west.
2018
Varietal Beer Company
Located in downtown Sunnyside, this brand new brewery, which once was a feed store, now has an industrial design and 16 taps featuring the Varietal brand, as well as four regional specialty beers, and one tap for hard cider as a gluten free alternative.
Single Hill Brewing
Single Hill just celebrated their grand opening this past weekend. Don’t worry if you missed it, they have plenty of brews for you to try, including their flagship beers along with experimental and collaboration brews on tap. There is indoor and outdoor patio seating in a family friendly atmosphere, with a children’s play area. You can even help yourself to plain water or sparkling water on tap. They are located on the tree-lined street of Naches Avenue across from the Seasons Performance Hall.
Yakima Craft Brewery
Once Yakima’s only brewery back in 2008, with a small taproom seating only 15. A change of ownership led to a 2018 expansion of their taproom that now seats 200, along with the doubling of its production from 750 bbl in 2016 to 1,500 bbl in 2017. The new taproom offers an online beer menu that updates in real time, an expanded food menu, games, outdoor seating, live music and a dozen taps for brews from other local and regional breweries.
