What is Happening with Hops_

It's no surprise to hear people around the world drink beer. In fact, there are approximately 100,000 different types of beer worldwide. In the United States alone, the Brewers Association estimates the beer market reached $105.9 billion last year. And what does nearly every beer brewed around the globe have in common? Hops – a flower that's been used for centuries to add flavor to beer and act as a preservative.

 

      Because of the boom in the beer industry, especially craft brewing in the U.S., demand for hops is at an all-time high. 98 percent of hops in the United States is produced in just four states, but because of growing demand farmers in non-traditional states are choosing to give hops a chance as a cash crop.

The Yakima Valley is one of the top hop growing regions in the nation and Ann George with the Washington Hop Commission and Hop Growers of America says that while Germany is still the world leader in hop production (37% of the world's acreage,) we're catching up fast (with 31%). George says the craft beer sector has a major impact. "I think just the continuing shift that our industry is seeing in our variety mix toward the flavor type aroma varieties that the craft industry has an interest in procuring will be the big focus of our growers over the next few years. We've seen a pretty substantial shift in our acreage toward the aroma varieties over the last five years and that's expected to continue."

Nine largely rural counties sued Gov. Kate Brown and labor commissioner Brad Avakian last week, hoping that a court will allow them to ignore a 2015 law requiring employers to provide paid sick leave.