Yakima Chief Hops (YCH) has completed construction of a state-of-the-art cold storage warehouse in Belgium.
The expansion into Europe will greatly improve the YCH customer experience, including increased access to its extensive portfolio of products and varieties, as well as improved logistics and faster delivery times to brewery customers.
“Establishing a foundation here in Europe speaks to the commitment YCH has to delivering the highest quality hops directly to its global brewing customers,” said Denis Gayte, managing director of YCH Europe.
“Our new facility ensures that our hops grown in America’s Pacific Northwest can be stored here in Europe and delivered to customers in the best possible condition.”
Located in Mont Saint Guibert, the 6,600 sq m warehouse includes cold storage capacity to house up to 8,800 pallets of hops, office space, a taproom, and a visitor center, where customers can learn about hops and sample beers using YCH products. YCH has also invested in a homebrew production line allowing the ability to offer high-quality hop pellets in smaller size packaging for home and nano-brewers.
The facility was also designed with sustainability in mind, as it supports an 1,800-panel solar array, producing 750 MW of energy, or about half of the building’s total consumption. The green construction, design and operation plan centers around waste diversion, water conservation, and healthfulness of interior spaces. The building runs on renewable energy and uses higher efficiency fixtures that reduce energy and water consumption.
