Mashing-In News: Hops Happenings, Trap Door Tristan
GOOD MORNING, SOUTH PUGET SOUND!
Monday, July 28, 2025 — Sally Struthers turns 78 today!
Monday’s craft beer dispatch is a globe-spanning toast to roots—whether they’re sunk deep in Oregon soil, winding through the Andes, or fermenting in the fires of reinvention from L.A. to Wisconsin. From monks blessing fresh-hopped Belgian ale to new regenerative farms, brewing partnerships, and ancient traditions, the story of beer today is one of legacy, resilience, and bold evolution—one pour at a time.
Hops, Hymns, and Haustus: Monks Toast 50 Years of Stewardship
Benedictine Brewery in Mt. Angel, Oregon, will celebrate 50 years of hop-growing partnership with Coleman Agriculture and its 8th anniversary on Friday, August 8, with a blessing, the release of Anniversary HAUSTUS Belgian Pale Ale brewed with Abbey-grown Simcoe hops, and the kickoff of Oregon’s hop harvest season. (The New School)
Westwood Farms Launches Regenerative Hop Brand Rooted in Legacy
Liz and John Coleman of Coleman Agriculture have launched Westwood Farms, a new regenerative hop brand rooted in seven generations of Willamette Valley farming, blending sustainable practices, meliorist philosophy, and premium hop production to shape a future-focused vision for craft beer and agriculture. (Northwest Beer Guide)
Trap Door Brewing Welcomes Tristan Karosas as New Head Brewer
Trap Door Brewing has named acclaimed former Single Hill brewmaster Tristan Karosas as its new Head Brewer, joining Jake Watt in a dual leadership model that signals a deep investment in Southwest Washington’s craft beer scene and fresh hop innovation. (The New School)
Wisconsin Brewers Innovate Amid Industry Slowdown
As U.S. craft brewery closures outpace openings for the first time in two decades, Wisconsin brewers like New Glarus and Fox River are adapting through local sourcing, brand expansion, and increased volume to weather economic uncertainty and evolving consumer trends. (Urban Milwaukee)
L.A. County Brewers Guild Rises as a Leader in California Craft Beer
The Los Angeles County Brewers Guild has emerged as a powerhouse in California’s craft beer scene, winning “Guild of the Year” twice and racking up dozens of medals at the Brewers Cup, as local brewers and homebrew roots fuel a rising, resilient beer community amid industry challenges. (LAist)
Chicha Lives: The Ancient Andean Beer Thriving Beneath White Flags
Chicha, a centuries-old, maize-based fermented beverage brewed across the Andes, remains a vibrant and diverse part of South American culture—deeply rooted in tradition, community, and regional identity, yet still largely misunderstood by the Western world. (Craft Beer & Brewing)
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