Craft Beer Brewers Finding Sweet Success With Florida Hops
June 7, 2022 Multiple factors go into making craft beer. Finding a unique mix of ingredients that balances aroma, taste, body, and color is the goal. But it all starts with the hops. According to researchers at the University of Florida, local brewers like the flavor and aroma that come from Florida-grown ‘Cascade’ hops. The Sunshine State’s subtropical environment has a special effect on the varietal, giving it a sweeter sense.
Matt Smith, a UF/IFAS Extension agent serving Pasco, Hernando, and Sumter counties admits his sample size is small thus far – only seven brewers so far — but is getting positive feedback. Of those he’s polled, most said they would brew craft beer made from Florida-grown ‘Cascade’ hops if given a chance.
“‘Cascade’ is traditionally grown in the Pacific Northwest and tends to provide floral, citrus, and spicy flavors to the product; but most of the brewers who used Florida-grown ‘Cascade’ hops tasted candied lemon and tropical fruit flavors,” says Smith.
Several years ago, UF/IFAS scientists started to test whether hops would grow in the Sunshine State. At that time, the state had about 30 microbreweries. Now, there are about 380, according to the Brewers Association.
Stats show 73% of the nation’s hops crop, including Cascade, grows in Washington state. Hops grow so well in the Pacific Northwest because days can run as long as nearly 16 hours. Because of its latitude, the longest Florida days are about 14 hours. While it doesn’t seem like a big difference, there is no comparison when it comes to yield.
Faced with that challenge, researchers here installed LED lights to help make up the difference.
Zhanao Deng, a UF/IFAS Professor of environmental horticulture, says scientists are seeing their best results from ‘Cascade’ hops.
Based on four years of trials, researchers have concluded that ‘Cascade’ yields the most of any the cultivars tested in Florida. They have also tested ‘Comet’, ‘Nugget’, and ‘Zeus’ hops
“Although the latter three cultivars produce less, their cones tend to contain more alpha acids and essential oil, making their cones more aromatic,” Deng says.
Deng says he hopes to develop hops with stronger aroma than regular ‘Cascade’.