USA, MI: Hop business booming in northern Michigan

The commercial production of hops started in northern Michigan just a decade ago, but right now it's an explosive market, UpNorthLive.com reported on April 16.

"Historically hops have grown on the 45th parallel," said hop grower, Brian Tennis. "But they haven't been grown here on the Leelanau peninsula ever, but it's absolutely perfect conditions to do it."

Tennis was one of the first to do so in 2007 when there was only about 100 acres in northern Michigan.

Today, the amount of hops in the area is ten times that.

And the reason being?

"Without hops in the beer the beer would just be too sweet, too cloyingly sweet to drink," said Hop Lot owner and brewmaster, Steve Lutke. "It would be really, really gross."

Hop Lot says they only get about 10 percent of their hops from outside Michigan.

"We have the ability to try little bits here and there from out west," said Lutke. "They're honestly on par and some of them are much better."

And with over 200 breweries in Michigan, hop farmers are in a booming business.

"We ship out skids not only in Michigan but ship out skids all over the United States now and also in Canada," said Tennis.

And says as long as they come up with different varieties, the business will continue to grow.

"It's still very much in its infancy," said Tennis. "But I see if we get the right varieties we could easily be in the top two top three producing regions in the nation and easily be in the five in the world in 24 to 36 months."

And beer makers agree they're on the right track.

"It's just a crisper, cleaner, brighter flavor," said Lutke. "I don't know, honestly they're just good hops."

17 April, 2016