US: Growth in Florida hops allowing brewers to hone their craft

Published Jun 15, 2023

Tridge summary

A recent article highlights the advancements in hop cultivation in Florida, a crop that was previously considered alternative and typically grown in the Pacific Northwest. Researchers at the University of Florida have been working since 2016 to develop techniques for hop production in Florida's subtropical climate, including the use of LED lighting to extend the daylight hours. Their efforts have resulted in similar yields to those in the Pacific Northwest, with 1,600 pounds per acre in one year. The researchers are also exploring the unique qualities of Florida hops, often referred to as 'terroir', and how they can add value to locally grown hops. Local brewers are already using these hops in their brews, such as Hiatus Brewing in Ocala, Florida, which released a new beer using locally sourced hops from the GCREC.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

It’s encouraging to see crops — once considered “alternative” — grow into something bigger. That’s been the case with hops in Florida. I have been covering and reporting on the progress of this alternative crop since early 2016. Researchers at the University of Florida over that time have continued to pour efforts into making the main ingredient in beer a viable option for growers and local brewers over that time. A hops field day was recently held at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast and Research Center (GCREC) near Tampa. About 50 craft beer brewers and local growers were in attendance to learn the latest findings. The hops grown at GCREC stem are rooted in about eight years of trial and error. In those years, UF/IFAS scientists Shinsuke Agehara and Zhanao Deng have led the project. They use LED lighting to grow hops twice a year. The artificial light tricks the crop into thinking daylight lasts longer than it really does. Hops require about 15 hours of daylight before they flower. That’s ...

Source: Growingproduce