Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Brewers Guild will be hosting the 2016 Great Lakes Hop and Barley Conference that will be held Wednesday and Thursday, March 16-17 in Traverse City, Michigan at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.

The conference will feature separate basic and advanced sessions for hop growers as well as a malting barley and malt session that is designed for both growers and brewers. Several prominent speakers from around the country will be on hand to discuss: horticultural practices, pest and disease control, harvest and post-harvest practices, nutrient management, and much more. The conference will feature three tracks: Hop introductory, hop advanced, and barley and malt. Participants will have the ability to jump between tracks throughout the day. 

On the hop side, Paul Matthews from  Hopsteiner, will be speaking on “Systems level biology for hop breeding”, the NCR SARE Sustainability Speaker, Sam Turner from BT Loftus Ranches in Yakima, WA will be covering “Sustainability in hops production”, and Florian Weingart, from Joh.Barth & Sohn in Germany, will offer a comprehensive presentation on hop drying technology. Prominent barley and malting experts will also be on hand to present. Presenters include but are not limited to: Scott Heisel from the American Malting Barley Association, Paul Schwarz from North Dakota State University, and Gary Bergstrom from Cornell University. The conference will also feature expert panel discussions that include brewers, growers, and scientists. 

Space is limited, if you have been waiting to register please do so as soon as possible, registration is available online. Discounts are available for group reservations of 3 or more. 

Registration Fees

$175 per person. 

Location

Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
100 Grand Traverse Village Boulevard
Acme, MI 49610-0404

Directions are available online. 

Lodging

Discounted lodging is available at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Call 800-968-7352 and mention you are part of the Great Lakes Hop and Barley Conference to receive the discounted nightly rate of $89 per night, plus tax. In addition to the nightly rate, there will be a $14.95 daily resort fee. 

Sponsorship and Vendors

Companies interested in sponsoring the 2016 Great Lakes Hop and Barley Conference can learn more by viewing our sponsor/vendor packet below. This year the conference will also include a vendor show, please review the sponsor/vendor packet for more information.

For more information about sponsorship, having a display at the event or to discuss payment options, please contact Betsy Braid at 517-884-7081 or braidbet@msu.edu. 

Please continue to visit Michigan State University Extension, Michigan State University Extension Hops webpage, and the Michigan State University Hops News Facebook page for up to date information.