Deadline: Wednesday, 10/17/2026 at one of the following locations:
Sound2Summit Brewing - 1830 Bickford Ave #111, Snohomish, WA 98290
Northwest Brewer Supply - 320 E Fairhaven Ave #100, Burlington, WA 98233
Micro Homebrew - 17511 68th Ave NE B, Kenmore, WA 98028
Jon's Homebrew and Wine Supply - 1430 E Main Ave #1430c, Puyallup, WA 98372
Competition date: 10/24/2026
Rules
At least 50% of the hops used in the beer must be fresh hops.
“Fresh Hops” include undried or freshly kilned cones, frozen cones, or ground material (per Brewers Association Guidelines).
Other hop forms may be included, but the main flavor and aroma must showcase the current year’s hop harvest.
All beer entries must be homebrewed (not commercial).
Any beer style is permitted.
Entries and Pricing
Entry fee: $10 per club
Each club may submit one beer
Clubs should select the beer that best represents their membership
Submissions require either at least three (3) 12-ounce bottles or cans, or two (2) 22-ounce bottles or cans
Each bottle or can must be labeled with:
Club name
Brewer’s name
Beer name
Fresh hops used
ABV
IBU
Deadline to deliver entries:
October 17, 2026, by 12:00pm one of the locations above
Judging
The competition follows the 2021 Brewers Association Fresh Hop guidelines:
Beer color, malt aroma/flavor, bitterness, fermentation characteristics, and body will vary according to style
Hop aroma/flavor should be dominant, showing grassy, freshly-mown, or bright “fresh hop” characteristics
Chill haze at low temps and hop haze at any temp are acceptable
Aging may change the fresh hop character, leading to unique flavors
Subcategories may be created based on hop processing (unprocessed, frozen, kilned)
Supplemental info may be requested (beer style, hop variety, form, addition timing, other ingredients, etc.)
Local professional brewers will serve as judges (to be announced)
All participants will receive feedback
Prizes
The Best of Show winner will receive the Fresh Hop Best in Show Championship Belt, engraved with their name, to keep for one year
The belt must be returned for the next BOS competition; if not, the winning club is responsible for its replacement.
If you have questions, please contact the GEBL President (president@gebl.org)
Register Here
(Fee will be collected when entries are dropped off)