Growth

I arrived in the Valley April 2016. As I've said, my Mum took me straight to The Beer Shoppe, a lived-in English Pub kind of feel.

Bottles on racks to take home, beer from all over the country and a good plate of nachos. The atmosphere was easy going and non-threatening, unlike the local dives. It had culture and knowledge of all things beer. It immediately became home, and my regular self-pity spot. The shoppe had been around for over twelve years. In that time, very few breweries had staked their claim to the Valley.

When I first got here we only had five breweries; Yakima Craft, Bale Breaker, Hop Nation, Snipes Mountain in Sunnyside and Bon Yr Aur in Naches. With the exception of Tieton Cider works. But, within a year of being here in the Valley we have added; Wandering Hop, Varietal, Berchman's, Redifer's, Valley, Cowiche Creek and Single Hill. With many more rumored to pop up. With over a dozen craft beverage stops to choose from you think that would be enough for me... it's not.

Let me break it down for you. The Yakima Valley(Valley, not just

Yakima), has produced over 44,000 tonnes in 2017, this out does the previous world leader in hops, Germany, by over 5,000 tones(Wiki, 2018). Close, but no cigar Germany! Alone, Washington state is the leading producer of hops with over 68% of the nations acreage in hop farms. Oregon and Idaho are in a very distant 2nd place with just 14%(Hop Growers of America, 2018). Not only does the Valley have these numbers to contribute to the beer scene, but we also have John I. Haas, Inc. One of the oldest and largest international hops distributors. But, the history and facts/statistics of beer in the Valley doesn't stop there.

The ever lovable Bert Grant. Bert Grant is considered the Godfather of Craft Brewing. In 1982, he started the Yakima Brewing & Malting Co, also known as Grant's Brewery Pub, it was a brewpub founded by Bert Grant in Yakima, Washington. It was regarded as the first in the United States since Prohibition(Saxon, NY Times, 2001).

(***See that reference?! New York Times!!!!***)

Since moving here, I have heard nothing but good things about this man. It pains me even that I didn't get a chance to sit and chat with him over his 'Perfect Porter'. This man is so notorious, that some people claim they worked with him, or some breweries even claim that they have his recipe book. He's so highly regarded, that people tell fish tales about knowing him! But those who remember the good old days will tell you stories about our Godfather and how he ran his operation. What it was like to sit at the bar with him on the opposite side, or how he would open back up to just sell a few pints. I know people will reminisce about him forever and though many things have changed in Yakima since his time, it seems we have always tried to put Yakima on the map any possible way we can.

"The Palm Springs of Washington", or so says Gary Lukehart. The owner of the notorious billboard along HWY 82 is owned by Gary Lukehart, who originally put the billboard up in 1987. He was hoping to encourage Seattelites to come over to Yakima. Of course, many would assume that the only thing we have in common with Palm Springs is warm and sunny weather. It has been kind of a long running joke with locals here and even passerby's. Bale Breaker Brewing even took it upon themselves to name their latest Pilsner 'Palm Spring Pils'. I can honestly say, we are nothing like Palm Springs and don't have a lot to offer in a night life or pool side bars or fancy resorts. Maybe someday a Michelin Star Restaurant or a five star hotel.

At the moment most people think of the Valley as "Little Mexico" or just a pile of dirt out in the middle of Washington, we have a very big 'Craft' economy building. This includes local coffee roasters, wineries, farm to table restaurants, and small businesses with local grown/made products.

My hopes, as a Podcast Host, Social Media Persona, and eventual Entrepreneur, is to have Yakima kind of like a Palm Springs. Not so much in likeness but as a destination spot for those who love beer, wine, farm fresh food, fine dining and many other things. And it would be nice if we could get some type of nightlife here for the locals too! Dive bars should not be the only places open until 2am and there should be entertainment every night of the week. That is what Yakima Valley is slowly striving for. I just hope I can be a part of it.