SpecialEstate Ale 1 st Edition Wet hopped pale ale brewed with 4lbs of freshly hand-picked organic Cascade and Chinook hops, grown on Colorado State University’s Specialty Crops Program farm. Malts and yeast were donated by local craft breweries, and the brew was created using CSU’s half-barrel BrewMagic system, also donated by a local craft brewery. Overall, it’s a well-rounded beer that I hope you enjoy. ABV: 5.7%

Hops: A Viable New Crop for Colorado? Ali Hamm September 19, 2009 MBAA Out of Towner Meeting Kannah Creek Brewery Grand Junction, CO

Hops in Colorado Last record of hops grown in Colorado dates to the 1800’s Photo courtesy of Loveland Museum/Gallery ; Thanks to Jim Mattoon for finding the information

CSU Organic Hops Research CSU Rogers Mesa Experiment Station, Hotchkiss Dr. Ron Godin Small nursery of 20 varieties planted 2002, 10ft trellis Overgrown and station is closing CSU Specialty Crops Farm, Fort Collins Dr. Frank Stonaker Single 450ft row (1/10 th acre) planted 2004 with 13 varieties, 10ft trellis 2008: Plant density was doubled to give 100 plants 2009: Yard was doubled to 2 rows (1/5 th acre)

Keeping Colorado Disease-free As of 2009, Colorado does not have: Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, or Verticilium wilt All could easily be transported via rhizomes coming from the Pacific Northwest Hop Stunt Viroid incidence: unknown Summit Labs of Fort Collins is propagating disease-free cuttings for 2010 Discussion between CSU and Colorado Dept. of Ag of a quarantine

CSU Hop Harvest 2009 First ever recorded yield data on mature hop plants in Colorado Total of 87 plants of 14 varieties Total of 167 pounds wet hops harvested by hand Hand picking: 1 hr = 1-4lbs

CSU Organic Hops: 2009 Preliminary Yield Results 2009 Variety Trial: Average Yield* *Corrected for number of bines

Pros and Cons of Growing Hops in Colorado Pros: No fungal diseases Sunshine New growing area; easy to do organic CSU and CO Dept. Ag support

Pros and Cons of Growing Hops in Colorado Cons: Little expertise, no processing equipment High winds and hail Clay, high pH soils Water availability

Colorado Hops : Craft Brewery Survey Results Survey sent to Colorado craft breweries in February Of the 79 surveys received by breweries, 38 were returned giving a 48% response rate. Survey Results Outline: Brewery Statistics Variety Needs Source of Hops Whole Hop Capabilities Wet Hops Organic Hop Needs Demand for Local and Organic Hops Quality Assurances Industry Concerns Interest in Research

Prices Paid for Hops* * Includes prices under contract and spot-market prices directly after the 2007 hop harvest shortage

Variety Needs

Industry Concerns

Demand for Local Hops 89% of breweries are wiling to pay a premium for local hops

Demand for Organic Hops 57% of breweries are willing to pay a premium for organic hops

Demand for Local and Organic Hops 68% of breweries are willing to pay a premium for local, organically grown hops

There Exists an Open Market Niche for Organic Hops in the U.S. Why doesn’t the Northwest grow organic hops? Paperwork and conversion of old practices High pest and disease (especially mildew and wilt) pressure in concentrated growing regions Too much spraying: organic has low residual control Extremely large scale #1 Hop producing country: 43,632 acres in 2007 #2 Hop producing country: 30,888 acres in 2007 (George, personal communication)

Hop Shortage 2007: Green Gold Rush

Green Gold Rush Michigan: only other state outside Pacific Northwest with full processing capabilities Other states growing hops on a small scale: Utah, Nebraska, Arizona, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Michigan, Montana, Vermont, Alabama, New York, California People of all backgrounds began growing hops after the 2007 shortage 2009: Most haven’t made it past 1 acre, and many who have, are struggling The very first hop pellets to be made in the Midwest by Old Mission Hop Exchange

2009: Colorado Farmers Struggle Weather, debt, and lowering market prices Inadequate processing equipment; most farms hand-picked Approximately 30 acres total harvested from 12+ farms, ranging from <1 – 14 acres.

San Juan Hop Farms 2009 Harvest: Quality Testing VarietyAlphaBetaHSI Cascade8.4 ( )4.37 ( %)0.216 Centennial7.56 ( )4.52 ( )0.222 San Juan Ruby Red Newport10.8 ( )4.71 ( )0.249 Chinook11.62 ( )3.01 ( )0.224 Nugget12.27 ( )4.01 ( )0.223 ( ) = typical industry average 14 acres dwarf trellising Mobile picker under construction for 2010 Modeled after Roy Farms of WA

Conclusions Colorado is in it’s “baby years” of hop growing CSU and Colorado Dept. of Ag are ready to act on disease issues Optimism for success from hop farmers and CSU Wide-open market for organic and local hops Desperate need for processing equipment and experience

Questions?