Hop Terroir and Harvest Timing: How do Michigan Hops Compare to the Pacific Northwest

Michigan is the fourth largest producer of hops in the United States. As climate change concerns and sustainable water practices evolve globally, different climates and regions may become more suitable and necessary for raw material cultivation in the brewing industry.

1. Pick Timing Study: This study examines the chemical changes in hops during plant maturation to maximize key attributes desired by brewers. It investigates the effect of harvest dates for four varieties (Chinook, Crystal, Cascade, and Vista) grown at Bell’s Brewery in Comstock, Michigan. The hops were harvested and dried at three different time points (early, ideal, and late) within a four-week window. The whole cones and subsequent hop teas were analyzed for hop attributes, including hop terpenes, hop esters, FAN, HSI, thiols, hop enzymes, and amino acids.


2. Hop Terroir Study:.  Hop Terroir has been extensively investigated in Oregon and Washington but there are limited studies showing regional differences within Michigan as well as between Michigan, Oregon, Idaho and Washington.  The purpose of this study is to compare key attributes for four different varieties (Chinook, Crystal, Cascade, and Vista) that were grown in two different locations in Michigan as well as Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.   Each variety was tested for sensory and hop attributes, including the assays mentioned above in the first study.  Brewing studies were also performed using Chinook. Sensory and analytical testing was performed on the subsequent beers. Chinook was chosen because previous studies indicated that there are regional differences in this variety

The objective is to provide data that supports the viability of Michigan as a source for locally grown hops, especially as the climate changes.