Along with "organic" beers -- yesterday's topic du jour -- another phrase far more brewers have been throwing about recently is "wet hops."

Why wet? Well, the name is somewhat self-explanatory. Typically hops are dried before they are packed, shipped and stored to await the brewing process. Hops is a plant (the flower of a plant technically), and anyone who's ever forgotten a fern for too long knows plants become distinctly different when they're dead. The theory behind wet hops is that as soon as the flowers are picked oils, resins and flavors begin to dry up, so by going direct from the bine to the brew kettle, your hops will pack more punch.

The trick works -- beers brewed with wet hops hold more of their distinct flavors -- somewhat begging the question, Why doesn't everyone do it? Well, price is a factor. And unless your ale needs some serious hoppiness, a lot of that subtlety is going to be drowned in malts regardless. Also hop varietals can be pretty picky in where they will grow. But even when everything else works out, the schematics are a pain. Every hour those hops hang out, dryness sets in: They have to find their way to the brewery in a hurry. So brewers looking to use wet hops need a field nearby and the dedicated manpower to make it happen.

After the jump, hear about an accessible example of a beer brewed with wet hops: Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale.

Occasionally I hear small brewers speak of using hops from their own backyard, but for most of the market, if you're looking to try a wet-hopped selection, Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale is a great place to start. This fall's release is the second year its been available on the mass market, so it scores high in the availability department. I found a pint on draft at the beer garden around the corner from me but also look for it in bottles.

Score it high in the taste department as well, opening with a super shot of Cascade and Centennial hops but staying balanced with a surprisingly steady stream of malt flavor. It's a big beer that casual drinkers might shy away from after one serving, but it's accessible enough that everyone should be able to enjoy and appreciate its strengths while sipping on that first pint. And make sure you savor that fresh hop nose and flavor.

If you're interested in finding out more about the beer and wet hops, Sierra Nevada provides a surprisingly informative video about Harvest Ale on their website.

[Photo Credit: sierranevada.com]