Portland, Oregon, has more microbreweries per capita than any other city in the country. Living here should make writing about craft beer a snap, right? As it turns out, the plethora of breweries, brewpubs, and bottle shops can be a bit overwhelming. Where to begin? Serendipity led photographer Frank Barnett and me to follow the hops.

On a blustery autumn morning, near the small town of Silverton, Oregon, we met Gayle Goschie, third-generation hop farmer. The Goschie Farms supply hops directly to BridgePort and Deschutes Breweries in Oregon, and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in California, as well as Odell in Colorado and New Glarus Brewing Company in Wisconsin. Gayle also sends part of her hop harvest to Indie Hops, the only company in Oregon that converts fresh hops into pellets for craft brewers.

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