Lesson 2 - Hop Biology and Cultivation

Hop breeders want to develop new varieties of hops to sell to farmers so pest or disease susceptibility and yields might feature high on their list of priorities. They also seek to improve agronomic aspects of the hops such as suitability for low trellis systems (a trellis is a framework usually made of wood or metal, used to support the growing hop plant). They also need to make sure that brewers want to buy them, so the right level of bitterness and a desirable aroma are key.

Farmers want their hops to have a resistance to major diseases and pests, combined with high yields and the ability to cope with climate change. They also need to sell their hops to traders so the varieties must meet the traders' needs.

Hop traders want hops that store well, and for long periods and as they sell to brewers, need the varieties to meet the brewers’ needs.

Brewers want hops that provide consistent flavour and high yields in the brewery, or that offer fashionable flavours like tropical fruit.  

Let’s quickly recap where we are now. We know the hop cone:

• Is important in brewing.
• Grows on climbing bines.
• Contains lupulin, which provides the bitter resins and aromatic essential oils.
• Comes from different hop varieties.
• Can be used for bittering or aroma, or in some cases both.
• May be chosen, depending on what is needed most, to achieve your goal e.g. high α-acids for bitterness.

Even with the large number of hop varieties available today, there is always demand for improved varieties, so hop breeders are constantly developing new varieties.