Oregon is the second largest producer of Hops in the U.S. and are grown mainly in Marion, Polk and Clackamas counties. Yakima county Washington is another growing area with high-alpha varieties, and has been a source of Hop growing for many years, some of the largest hop growing farms in the Northwest are in the state of Washington. Freshops uses mostly Northwest growers in obtaining the best quality Hops available. Some Hop varieties are obtained from England, Germany, New Zealand, and the Czech Republic. The female bears flowers in the form of cones.
Hops are unisexual, only the female hop produces the flowers that are used in brewing.
As the female flower matures, they form cone like structures. The mature hop cones are 1 to 3 inches long, yellowish green, and papery to the touch. These cones are harvested in August and September and dried. Vigorous varieties will produce as much as 2 lbs. of dried flowers per plant. The dried ripe cones are used in brewing for bittering, flavor and aroma, preservation and head retention.