Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been focusing on bringing you more insights into hop research. I feel like there is a lot of information that top brewers possess, and can share insights into, but I also feel like there is a lot happening in the hop-growing community that effects brewers equally.
One area that doesn’t get discussed enough is that of hop harvests and the continuous growth of the brewing industry.
These harvests have begun to shrink ever so slightly each year due to environmental changes as well as diseases among hop varieties. There is a lot that has been established to help reverse the current trend, but even more could be accomplished.
It truly is one of the few areas in brewing where you see a crossover of cooperation among breweries of all sizes — mainly because it affects all brewers. As long has our industry continues to grow it will be on the brewers to reach out to the hop farmers for assistance in battling growing issues.
Although many of us know that hops are a critical element in brewing, many don’t stop and consider the impact that is occurring when droughts cause critical water shortages, or diseases wipe out entire crops.
As a brewer it is vital that you take time to learn as much about the pieces of your craft as possible. Hop research is a critical area of the industry. Additionally, much could also be done in regards to barley, but that’s a whole other concern.
What we need to establish is what needs to be done and what can be done now to help the hop farms regain plentiful crops. What research can be performed that can make this struggle disappear and what have we learned over the years to help prevent hop crop issues from arising in the future.
Take some time to look into a couple of these websites I’ve been browsing lately, including the Hop Research Council and the National Clean Plant Network.
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