Mashing-In News: U-Neek Brewing, Oregon Hop Festival
GOOD MORNING, SOUTH PUGET SOUND!
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 — Geddy Lee turns 72 today!
From brewery rebrands to hop harvest fests, beer cocktails to global tariffs, Tuesday’s craft beer headlines pour a full flight of transformation, tradition, and toast-worthy innovation—because even in a cooling market, the stories behind the suds keep bubbling over.
Crucible Brewing Rebrands as U-Neek Brewing
Crucible Brewing in Everett, Washington, is rebranding as U-Neek Brewing Company under new owners Erik and Johanna, who plan to honor Crucible’s legacy while introducing fresh beers, a new small-batch series, and a bold vision for the next decade. (Washington Beer Blog)
Oregon Hop Festival Returns
TopWire Hop Project will celebrate Oregon’s hop harvest and Crosby Hop Farm’s 125th anniversary at the second annual Oregon Hop Festival, a two-day event September 6–7 in Woodburn featuring exclusive beers, farm tours, live music, food trucks, and family-friendly fun amid the hop fields. (The New School)
Portland’s Mayfly Kölsch Fest Expands to Three Days
Mayfly Taproom’s 5th Annual Kölsch Fest returns August 22–24 to Portland’s Kenton neighborhood with 12 breweries, blind tastings, and a shot at unseating reigning champ Occidental in a three-day celebration of crisp, crowd-pleasing Kölsch. (Brewpublic)
Hops in Retreat, Vera in Bloom
Global hop acreage declined 7.7% in 2024 amid ongoing oversupply and shifting beer trends, but the debut of the new Vera hop—boasting tropical aromas and disease resistance—offers a bright spot for brewers adapting to evolving demand and tighter markets. (Craft Brewing Business)
Ciders, Seltzers, and Sticker Shock: Brewers Question FDA Label Rule
The FDA’s proposed front-of-package nutrition labeling rule could impact hard seltzers and low-ABV ciders, prompting the Brewers Association and Small Business Administration to urge exemptions for beverage alcohol to avoid undue burdens and regulatory confusion for small brewers. (Brewers Association)
Mastering Malt: Sensory Training for Brewers and Maltsters
Malt may not steal the spotlight like hops, but it’s the essential canvas of every beer—offering foundational flavor, aroma, color, and texture that brewers and maltsters can evaluate through sensory analysis methods like chewing raw kernels and the ASBC’s hot steep technique to ensure quality, consistency, and creative control. (All About Beer)
U.S. and EU Strike 15% Deal on Goods, Including Hops and Malt
The U.S. and EU have agreed to a 15% tariff on most European goods—including European malt and hops—avoiding a steeper 30% rate, while aluminum and steel remain at 50%, and trade negotiations with Canada and Mexico continue ahead of an August 1 tariff hike on non-USMCA goods. (Brewers Association)
New San Diego Brewery Bucks Industry Trends
Despite a nationwide slowdown in craft beer, Erik and Shannon Fowler are set to open Good Pressure Brewing Company in San Diego’s Allied Gardens by late 2025—bringing family-friendly, East County-inspired hospitality to an underserved neighborhood with deep industry experience and a refreshing, down-to-earth vibe. (San Diego Magazine)
The Spaghett Runneth Over: America’s Favorite Recession Spritz
As inflation-weary drinkers seek affordable indulgence, the quirky, low-cost beer cocktail known as the Spaghett—a mix of Miller High Life and Aperol—has surged 65% in popularity this year, becoming the unofficial “recession spritz” of summer 2025. (Business Insider)
