USA, WA: Demand for organic hops is expected to increase

Researchers at Washington State University say organic hops production may develop into a new trend, Capital Press reported on August, 11.

Organic hops will be required for organic beer beginning January 2013. The National Organic Standards Board previously exempted hops as an ingredient that had to be raised organically.

"There's a lot of organic beer out there that does include organic hops, but there's also a lot that doesn't," graduate student Sam Turner said.

The researchers are testing different hop varieties on low trellises, about 10 feet tall. Most hops are grown on 18- to 20-foot trellises, Turner said.

When high-trellis varieties are grown on a low trellis, yield generally drops 40 to 60 percent. Few varieties are bred for low trellises.

But low trellises may be better for organic hops, Turner said, since they are easier to manage.

A common problem for organic growers is a large amount of insects, particularly aphids and two-spotted spider mites. WSU senior Aaron Jeschke said they work their way into the plant and produce off-flavors in the beer, called "mitey" beer.

"It's kind of a subtle off-flavor, but it definitely can make a difference in a several thousand-gallon batch," Jeschke said.

Hops are among the hardest crops to grow organically, said Kevin Murphy, WSU assistant research professor. He doesn't recommend new farmers try it.

"If I was a farmer, I wouldn't do it, unless I had a really good relationship with a local brewery and grew it on a small acreage," he said. "The bigger hop growers are just so efficient. It's really labor-intensive. There's a lot of knowledge involved and millions of dollars worth of infrastructure."

Once larger producers figure out the agronomy needed for organic hops, it will be hard to compete, Murphy said.

Most growers he works with are third- or fourth-generation growers, he said.

"Their fathers and grandfathers think it's not the best idea to be trying organic hops, but there's a young group of hop growers who are trying it," Murphy said. "They've had amazing success over the last few years with different agronomic practices that really help organic hops thrive."

"Washington state grows about 75 percent of the hops in the U.S.", Murphy said.

12 August, 2011