Growing Craft Beer Demand Benefits Central Washington Growers

With the popularity of craft beers reaching new heights worldwide, hop growers in Washington are reaping the benefits.  According to NASS, 75% of American produced hops come from Central and Eastern Washington.  Jaki Brophy with the Washington Hop Commission said there’s more than enough to supply the existing breweries as well as the growing number of home brewers.

“There is an excess of supply in some varieties.  I think the thing to keep in mind is not too long ago, we probably had about 50 varieties that we would grow, and some growers have said there were basically 30 varieties that people would focus on.  Now we have more than 80 varieties in the U.S. that gets grown.”

So, what will happen with those excess hops?  Brophy said they most likely will land overseas.

“I sure will find homes in international markets or other places, especially with international markets growing.  But then there’s some varieties we’re still marking to meet demand.  So it just depends on which variety you’re asking about.”

Brophy was quick to note that everything grown in Washington is contracted for before planting, either by a brewery or by a merchant that’s looking for extra supply.

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