Growers in Michigan are becoming increasingly adept at growing high-quality hops. One area along the hops value chain that is critically important, but oftentimes overlooked by new growers is post-harvest operations. Transport from the field, picking, drying, curing, processing, packaging and storage can all affect the final quality of hop pellets. The 2014 Hops Session at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo will address these postharvest issues.

Ann George, administrator of the Washington Hop Commission and Hop Growers of America will provide an overview of the national hop scene as well as an update on hop-production in non-traditional growing regions. The hops keynote speech will be given by Bradly Studer (formerly with SS Steiner and manager of the Roza Ranch in Prosser, WA and Elk Mountain Farms for Anheuser Busch in Bonners Ferry, ID). Mr. Studer’s keynote speech is entitled: “Hop Quality: From Field to Kettle”.

The keynote will be followed by a “Hop Quality Roundtable”, featuring both invited guest speakers mentioned above as well as notable Michigan brewing experts including Scott Graham, Director of the Michigan Brewers Guild; Jake Brenner, Grand Rapids Brewing Company; John Mallet, Bells Brewery, and Alec Mull, Founders Brewing Co. The session will take place on the morning of Wednesday, December 10, 2014 from 9 - 11 a.m. As a reminder, please make sure to reserve your hotel rooms as soon as possible.

For more information please visit the Great Lakes Expo website. For more information on hops, please visit Michigan State University Extension as well as MSU’s Hop webpage.