Often recognized for its wine, the Yakima Valley emerges as a beer destination
Here in the Pacific Northwest, when savvy beer tourists think of beercationing outside of the big cities, they usually think of Bend and Bellingham. Those cities, each with populations roughly somewhere around 100,000, boast an impressive number of breweries for their size. Yakima is about the same size and, though it may not be top-of-mind for most beer travelers, it now qualifies as a legitimate beer destination.
The Yakima Valley is widely recognized as the heart of the American hop industry: most of the hops in the nation, and a very significant portion of the hops in the world, are grown and processed in the Yakima Valley. In recent years, the beer culture has finally caught up to the hop culture. A place with just a couple breweries suddenly has a whole host of breweries and a bunch of worthwhile beer destinations.
Here’s what you need to know to enjoy a beer adventure in the Yakima Valley.
Take a Hike
Yes, there will be time for beer, but why not earn it first? Snow Mountain Ranch, part of the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy, is just 20 minutes from downtown Yakima. There are several different trails that offer a lot of options for distance and exertion level, so it’s the perfect place for a casual stroll, a moderate hike, or a longer, more aggressive climb. The loop trail to the top is about 6 miles and 1,100 feet of gain.
Even closer to town, the uplands trails, another part of the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy, offers a similar variety of options for stretching your legs. This trail network was recently expanded and upgraded, so it still has that “new trail” smell.
Cowiche Creek Brewing
After you’re done hiking at Snow Mountain Ranch, drive three miles east on Thompson Road and you’ll arrive at Cowiche Creek Brewing, where you can kick back on the sprawling lawn and look across the valley at the mountain you just conquered. Snow Mountain is just one small part of the spectacular panoramic view. In addition to excellent beer, the hamburgers will blow your mind. Dogs and kids welcome.
The Scoop: Tiny Dog Session IPA is named after the affable black lab that you will usually find hanging out in the beer garden. Tiny Dog loves to fetch and is happy to teach you how to throw a tennis ball.
Bale Breaker Brewing
As of 2020, this is now the third-largest craft brewery in Washington, which should surprise no one. Seriously, they make fantastic beer and your trip would be incomplete without a stop at Bale Breaker Brewing.
This brewery is built in the middle of a hop field on the outskirts of Yakima, with an address in Moxee (the self-described “Hop Capitol of the World”). In addition to indoor seating, the brewery’s taproom offers a covered, semi-enclosed patio, and a large beer garden. On weekends, the brewery often hosts a food truck. Dogs and kids welcome.
The Scoop — Sown and grown in Moxee, WA. The brewery’s founders are part of the family that owns the surrounding farm, where they grow more than hops: they also grow barley that is used in some of the beer. Aptly, those estate-grown beers are called the Homegrown series.
Varietal Beer Company
Located in the town of Sunnyside, about 25 minutes south of Yakima, Varietal Beer Company is the darling of the community, which is largely made up of folks who work, in various capacities, in the agricultural industry.
In its spacious taproom and lovely beer garden, this brewery serves up some of the best beer in the Yakima Valley, if not the entire state. The wide variety of beers are innovative and often hop-forward, but sometimes yeast-driven, fruit-inspired, and simply delicious. It is worth the drive, without question. Food trucks sometimes, with a plan to eventually have their own, permanent food truck on site. Dogs and kids welcome.
The Scoop — Some of the partners in this venture have strong ties to the hop industry. As in, they still work in the hop industry for one of the world’s leading hop suppliers. Even in the Yakima Valley, few breweries enjoy this kind of connection to the hop industry.
