MOUNTAIN HOP EXPLORATIONS

THE GROWTH, USE, AND

FUTURE OF THIS

HISTORICAL NICHE CROP

Kayla MacLachlanAMS Fellow 2012

Botanical Name: Humulus Lupulus

Origin: Temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia

Growth Patterns: - Long-lived herbaceous perennial plant - 10 – 50 years!

- Dioecious plant - Will grow up to a foot/day under ideal conditions

- Worldwide between 30th and 50th latitudes, N or S

Among1st specialty crops to attract interest among enterprising, progressive farmers

Brought to the New World by English colonists and valued chiefly as an additive in beer making

Demand for hops increased in early 19th century; the North East became the epicenter of hop production

Poor farming practices and fungal diseases lead to industry collapse on the East Coast

Today, the Yakima Valley produces 70-75% of US hops , with Oregon and Idaho producing 25-30% (but this can change!)

21st Century, Nelson County, VA 18th Century, Kent, England

21st Century, Nelson County, VA

RHIZOME

YOUNG SHOOTSCLIMBING BINE

STAGES OF

GROWTH

BURR

STROBILE

MATURE CONE

FROM THIS TO THIS

- Craft breweries

- Terroir

- Organic brewing

laws

- Premium pricing

- -

WHY GROW HOPS?