what does it take to bring a hop’s life to fruition?
From Field to Brewer – We’re With the Hops Every Step of the Way
At Flathead Valley Hops, we’re proud to be 100% vertically integrated. That means we manage every step of the hop life cycle—from planting and growing to harvesting, drying, pelletizing, packaging, and shipping. When we say “farm to brewer,” we mean it.
We don’t outsource any part of our process. Why? Because quality matters—and we believe the best way to ensure exceptional hops is to grow and handle them ourselves, with care and precision, every step of the way.
Here’s how we do it
PLANTING AND GROWING
Our hops are grown on rich Creston topsoil in Montana’s Flathead Valley, located along the 48th parallel, the same latitude as some of the world’s top hop-growing regions. We carefully manage irrigation, nutrients, and plant health to ensure optimal growth. To promote sustainability, we plant cover crops that stabilize the soil, reduce erosion, and enhance hop quality year after year.
harvest
At peak ripeness, we harvest our hops with careful timing and attention to variety-specific maturity. Each plant is cut and sent straight to our processing facility to begin its journey to the brewer.
processing
Hops are run through a Wolf 1000 picker—a workhorse of German engineering. The machine efficiently strips the cones from the bines, separates out leaves and stems, and preps the hops for drying. The stripped bines aren’t wasted—they’re returned to the soil as compost, continuing the cycle of sustainability on the farm.
drying & baling
Freshly picked hops head straight to our on-site kiln, where they’re gently dried to preserve their essential oils, aromas, and flavor integrity. This step is crucial for locking in the freshness brewers depend on—and because we do it ourselves, we can fine-tune every batch for optimal quality.
Once dried, hops are pressed into 165 lb bales and immediately moved into our freezer to cool and stabilize. This rapid cooling step helps lock in aroma and prevents degradation before pelletizing, giving brewers the cleanest, freshest product possible.
PELLETIZING
Once dried, hops are cooled and processed in our pellet mill. We pelletize on-site to minimize oxidation and protect the delicate lupulin inside the cones. This keeps our hops fresher, longer, and full of flavor.
Packaging & cold storage
We nitrogen-flush and vacuum-seal our hops immediately after pelletizing, then store them in our walk-in cold room at 28 degrees fahrenheit. This ensures our hops retain their peak quality until they’re ready for shipping.
shipping
From local Montana breweries to brewers across the U.S., we package and ship with speed and care. When our hops arrive at your door, they’re as fresh and consistent as the day they were picked.
why it matters *
why it matters *
Being 100% vertically integrated means we control every step — from soil to shipping box. It means better traceability, peak freshness, and zero compromises on quality. When you brew with Flathead Valley Hops, you’re brewing with a family that puts pride into every single cone.
