A HOP’S PILGRIMAGE AND FRATERNITY

The hop harvest begins at the end of August and runs through September. Hopsteiner operates specialized combines that mechanically remove the hop cones from the trellis and place them in trucks that immediately deliver to the cleaning facility. There, hop cones are separated from any remaining leaves and stems by the use of a sophisticated array of belts, fans and screens. Hops are then sent to kilns for drying.

Once the hops are dried to the proper moisture content, they cool for up to 24 hours before being baled in breathable material. As part of Hopsteiner’s extensive quality control system, bales are inspected and probe-tested for moisture, temperature and stem and leaf content. Prior to refrigerated storage, the bales are marked with a unique code that allows for complete traceability – all the way back to the hop yard.

Hopsteiner invites customers to attend hop selection during and after harvest to choose their contracted hop lots. Customers can get an intimate look at the entire chain of the world of hops while also personally selecting brewer’s cuts of each variety after thoroughly grading them by appearance and aroma.

icon

READY TO PICK

Waiting for the perfect moment

We select and pick our hops at the peak of their maturity during each growing season. Careful analysis of dry matter, moisture, alpha acids and essential oils is key in assuring hops are picked at the right time.
HOP SELECTION

HOP SELECTION

Plan your trip – be a part of Hop Selection and/or Hop Harvest 
“Hopsteiner carries a large selection of heirloom hop varieties, such as Cascade, Centennial and Chinook, as well as an existing portfolio of proprietary varieties.”
icon

HARVEST SEASON

Honest, hard work

Hopsteiner’s top-quality hops are grown by the hard work and dedication of our growers worldwide. Our growers are dedicated to their craft and constantly review and improve their operations. We also continuously reinvest to maintain our position in the forefront of quality, efficiency, sustainability and technology.

LIFE OF A HOP

 

LEARN ABOUT A HOP’S FASCINATING JOURNEY FROM OUR FARMS TO YOUR BEER

  • Agronomy

    Experimental hop seedlings emerge in our greenhouses in preparation of planting baby hop yards this season.

  • Breeding

    Hopsteiner’s breeding program has released exciting, new hop varieties, including Lemondrop and Eureka.

  • Preparation

    Hopsteiner farms and farm managers set the industry standard for agricultural practices and sustainability.

  • Propagation

    Farmers plant hop rhizomes, the heart of the root system which stores and transfers food for the bine.

  • Baby Hops

    New hop growth emerges from the ground in the spring, and bines begin to reach towards the sun.

  • Growing

    Hop bines climb the coir twine in a clockwise-spiral, upwards until they reach the top of the 18’ tall trellis.

  • Flowering

    As the hop bines begin to reach the trellis tops, they generate lateral shoots that produce the hop flowers.

  • Healthy Hops

    During the summer months, hop yards start to top out when all of the laterals fill-in with full growth.

  • Cone Maturation

    A mature female hop cone is ready to harvest when the flower begins to feel dry and papery.

  • Oils and Acids

    Inside the hop cones, your can see yellow lupulin glands packed with the essential hop oils and acids.

  • Harvesting

    Mobile harvesters called “combines” line the hop fields ready to start the annual hop harvest.

  • Sorting

    Hop cones are then separated from leaf and bine in cleaning stations – leaving only raw leaf hop cones.

  • Drying

    Hop cones are laid out on massive-sized hop kilns where they are gently heated until thoroughly dried.

  • Cooling

    Dry hop cones are then piled high on cooling floors which help maintain their color and essential oils.

  • Baling

    The dried and cooled hops are then compressed in 200-pound canvas bales, sealed with a hand-stitch.

  • Hop Selection

    Hop bails are quickly transported to Hopsteiner’s cold storage facilities where they await processing.

  • Shipping/Cold Storage

    Hop bails are quickly shipped to our cold storage facilities to protects their soft alpha and beta resins.

  • Pelletizing

    Hop leaf is ground into powder and forced through a die under extreme pressure to form dense hop pellets.

  • Extract & Downstream

    Hopsteiner provides traditional hop products, as well as the most advanced hop downstream products.

  • Quality Packaging

    Hop pellets are fresh-packed in nitrogen-flushed mylar pouches and heavy-duty crates with data label.

  • Logistics

    Orders are processed to ensure shipments arrive on schedule. We offer storage and delivery programs.

  • Research & Development

    Hopsteiner’s hop research facilities focus on constant improvement, and new product development.

  • Customer Support

    Hopsteiner’s technical staff provides a wide range of client services, including on-site brewery support.

  • The Proof is in the Pour

    For over 170 years, Hopsteiner has built a reputation of providing top quality hops at the best possible price.
Hopsteiner

PURCHASE TOP QUALITY HOPS
During Hop Selection customers visit Hopsteiner’s hop fields, and select their hops. Visiting during Hop Selection and Harvest is a pilgrimage for brewers, and a great fraternity.