The Florida SMaSH Beer Festival was created to celebrate the creativity and camaraderie of breweries in the Sunshine State. Breweries around the state compete to win best beer, using one Single Malt and one Single Hop strain. For the first time ever, we’re inviting bands and out-of-state breweries to join in SMaSH Fest!

* Riverbend Malt House [Avalon 2-Row]

The major headline from 2022’s harvest is undoubtedly the success of the new Avalon variety from Virginia Tech. This variety has been painstakingly developed over the last ten years and this summer marks the very first commercial harvest. We’ll be pulling in a limited amount of this variety as we wait patiently for additional seed stock to be grown. This year’s crop was marked by strong test weights of over 50 pounds per bushel and plump, bright kernels. Initial trials in the malt house have yielded exciting results, with those plumps kernels contributing to a rich, milky sweet wort. Thus far we’ve experimented with Pilsner, Pale, and Vienna recipes. Brewing and distilling trials are happening now, and the first beers made with Avalon 2-row barley will hit the taps soon.

Riverbend Malt House creates some of the best craft malts in North America and is one of the 5000 fastest-growing private companies in America as awarded by Time Inc. We would argue that the product speaks for itself. Whether you’re participating or not, reach out to Tyler and check in on what these guys are doing because they’re doing it better than most. Thank you Riverbend Malt House for your support and for elevating small batch craft beer.

* Yakima Quality Hops – [Cashmere]

Since its release to the public in 2013, Cashmere has enthralled brewers with its bouquet of tropical and citrus fruit flavors. Though more subtle than many of its contemporaries, this dual-purpose hop elevates simpler styles such as blonde ales, Kölsches, golden lagers, hefeweizens, and saisons. Cashmere also works well as the feature hop in balanced pale ales and as a complementary hop in hazy IPAs.

YQH is a family-owned business focused on quality and service. Founded in 2013, Yakima Quality Hops provides the highest quality hops to breweries throughout the United States and abroad. Based in Yakima, WA, we work directly with growers, allowing us to offer the best pricing and quality control. We work with breweries of all sizes and in all stages of growth. Whether you’ve been brewing for decades or are just getting started, let’s connect so we can get to know your hops needs.