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At the turn of the 21st century, it wasn’t uncommon for a hop grower focusing on alpha varieties to replant a field every 25 to 50 years. While the plants in the field inevitably contracted viruses, the impact of those viruses on alpha-acid development and overall yield was manageable.
In today’s environment, however—with new varieties bred to be high-performance, high-aroma, well-oiled machines—the same viruses have an outsized effect, and a field’s lifespan may be just a quarter of what it used to be. Yet many growers have been extending the productive lives of those fields by planting virus-free rhizomes and plugs—plants grown from cuttings taken from portions of other hops plants where viruses can’t travel.
In this episode, we talk with scientists and hop breeders Megan Twomey of Latitude 46 and Ryan Christian of Yakima Chief Ranches for perspective on how viruses affect hops, how virus-free plants are produced, how long plants can remain virus-free, and more—and how all of that ultimately affects what’s available to brewers. Through the conversation, they touch on:
- different viruses that affect hops
- how viruses affect lupulin production in modern hop varieties
- viral impact in producing genetically true-to-type but phenotypically out-of-spec hops
- “cleaning up” hops to create virus-free plants
- how and now not to monitor fields for viruses
- field dynamics from new plantings over the first few years
- how viral stress impacts plants and their flavor and aroma expression
- yield benefits from virus-free plantings
And more.
G&D Chillers
For years G&D Chillers has chilled the beers you love, partnering with 3,000+ breweries across North America and beyond. We’re proud of the cool partnerships we’ve built over the past 30 years because brewing doesn’t stop at 5 o’clock, and we don’t either. We use quality components, expert craftsmanship, and constant innovation. With our 24/7 service and support, your brewery will never stop. Remote monitor your chiller for simple and fast access to all the information you need and gain peace of mind your operation is running smoothly.
Brewers, what if your yeast could do more than just ferment? With Berkeley Yeast, it can! We bioengineer ordinary strains and make them extraordinary—enhancing the flavors you want and eliminating the ones you don’t. Now, in addition to competitive pricing, we’re offering free overnight shipping on 5+ barrel pitches. Try it out—if you don’t love it, we’ll happily refund you. So why settle for ordinary when you can brew with better yeast? Visit berkeleyyeast.com to learn more and start brewing with science on your side.
As breweries expand beyond beer into other segments such as mocktails and CBD beverages, Old Orchard is here to help. We can formulate custom blends featuring specialty ingredients. Whether trending flavor additions or nostalgic favorites, the next best thing is around the corner at Old Orchard. More information and free samples are waiting at oldorchard.com/brewer.
Both classic and contemporary, Indie Hops’ Lórien was developed with crisp, low-gravity beer in mind. A nod to the past with an eye on the future, Lórien seamlessly combines traditional elements of European Noble hops with an elegant twang of American modernity. Low alpha and squeaky clean, Lórien provides a refined, smooth bitterness to any lager and delivers enticing flavors and aromas of lemon/lime zest, fresh melon, wildflowers, sweet hay, and cinnamon spice. Refreshing the past for a present time, Lórien’s classic profile and distinct finish are conducive to celebration and appetite and evoke feelings of a grassy meadow near a cold mountain stream. Summer is near, and Lórien awaits. Learn more about Lórien and the rest of our varieties at www.indiehops.com. Indie Hops—Life is short. Let’s make it flavorful.
Are you looking to elevate your craft brewery’s branding? Steel Chill-Cups are the perfect promotional tool! Crafted from 100 percent recyclable steel and proudly made in the USA, these 16 oz cups come in vibrant red, blue, green, and gray. Designed to keep beverages cold and frosty to the touch, they enhance the drinking experience at festivals, tastings, and taprooms. Customizable branding options let you showcase logos and unique designs, boosting brand recognition. These stylish cups not only serve a practical purpose but also become keepsakes for beer lovers. Discover how Steel Chill-Cups can “Put your brand on every pour.” Visit SteelChillCups.com today!
Breweries don’t need just a point-of-sale system—they need a one-stop-shop operating system. That’s where Arryved comes in. Not only does Arryved offer a world-class POS built specifically for breweries, but we also provide Arryved Brewery Management, e-commerce, and more to help breweries scale and thrive. From taproom to distribution, Arryved gives breweries the tools to streamline operations and boost profits—all in one powerful platform. Visit arryved.com to learn more. Cheers!
Missed the ProBrew booth and our incredible product animations at CBC 2025? You can now experience them all right now at ProBrew.com! Head over to ProBrew.com to see the cutting-edge technology that’s revolutionizing beverage production—like the ProFill rotary can filler and seamer and the Alchemator Alcohol Separation system—in stunning, high-definition animations. See how our advanced solutions can take your brewery to the next level! Go to ProBrew.com today and experience the latest technology in beverage production. ProBrew, Brew YOUR Beer!
If you’re launching a brewery or acquiring an existing one, consider our brewery workshop and new brewery accelerator, September 14 through 17 in Fort Collins, Colorado. Over four days, we engage in panel discussions, technical brewery tours, networking, and small working group sessions that help you better understand and prepare for the challenges of brewery operation. Tickets are on sale now. Visit breweryworkshop.com for more information and to secure your spot.