April 1998
Contents:
Mini Bales
A Hop is not a Hop unless it's a Quality Hopunion Hop
Atlanta Craftbrewery Tradeshow
CBS Staff, Inventory, Warehouses
Anything Changed?
When is a Hallertau a Hallertau
Tettnang vs Fuggles
Credit Terms, Past Due Accounts and Credit Card Acceptance
Stenciled Hop Pockets
He's Bigger Than Life! 20 Years in the Hop Industry
Columbus Dispute Resolved
Hopunion to Carry Expanded Product Range
Powdery Mildew Update
R&B Brewing School Practical Brewing Course
You can now purchase raw hops in quantities less than a quarter bale. Effective immediately all hop varieties will be available in our new mini bale size. This package weighs approximately 10 to 13 pounds. We vacuum seal the raw hops in the same foil as hop pellets. This will ensure the freshness is locked in at time of packaging. If you have been considering using raw hops for a special beer or want a small quantity for dry hopping, this would be the ideal package for you. Refer to the raw hop section of our price list for all the varieties we offer. Give us a call if you don’t see the variety you want. We can always source a variety
A Hop is not a Hop unless it's a Quality Hopunion Hop
Hopunion has always had a commitment to supplying the craftbrewing industry with the best quality hops available on the market. The brewer should never be concerned that they are getting the left overs from the harvest. Our craftbrewing department at Hopunion is handled just like the biggest brewery when it comes to selection. When the hops arrive, starting in August, we select from the best lots. Our criteria for the lots we pick are visual presentation, alpha levels and aroma character. Ralph Olson and Ralph Woodall have been involved with receiving (and rejecting) hops at harvest time for the past 20 and 15 years respectively. Both are very experienced in selecting quality hops for our worldwide brewery contracts. Therefore when it comes to the hops purchased for the craftbrewers, they look for the same qualities major brewers require. You can consistently be assured the hops received from Hopunion are always the best hops available. If at any time your concerned about the quality of a product, please contact us. We want to have 100% customer satisfaction.
Atlanta Craftbrewery Tradeshow
Look for both Hopunion USA and Hopunion International during the National Craft-brewers Conference and Tradeshow. We will have two booths again this year showcasing the best of US and European hops and hop products. Our booth numbers are: HOPUNION USA: Booth 208 HOPUNION INT’L: Booth 358 We will have samples of raw hops, hop pellets, hop extracts, essences, and oils. Atlanta Brewing has graciously provided beer and English Hop Products will be bringing their English Lager, made with English hops. Ralph Olson, Ralph Woodall, and Cindy Kloster will be attending. Stop by for a visit.
CBS Staff, Inventory, Warehouses
Unlike many hop suppliers, Hopunion dedicates 7 staff personnel, 2 cold storage warehouse and 1st quality inventory specifically for our craftbrewing customers. We understand the needs of our customers when it comes to a consistent supply of both product and service. Our customers have access to experienced people in the hop industry for questions on varieties and hop application. Our on staff technical director can provide advise on our down stream products such as the Isohopco2n, hop oils and hop essences. And with 3 people available to take your orders, you rarely have to wait. As mentioned in a previous article, Hopunion chooses the best of the crop and warehouses this product in a cold storage warehouse. This assures the brewer that the product remains fresh from harvest to harvest. With our offices in Germany, England, Czech Republic, France and Australia, we have all those hard to find imported varieties. Hopunion has the largest selection of hops and hop products of which all are available to our craftbrewing customers.
We want to update our records. Was the person this newsletter addressed to still working for your company? Is he/she the proper person to receive this newsletter? Was it sent to the correct address? Would you like to receive more than one copy? In order for us to be more proficient we would appreciate this information. Please give us a call at 1-800-952-4873 or fax 1-800-952-4874.
When is a Hallertau a Hallertau
On more than one occasion we have been approached by a brewery getting US Hallertau for less money. On further investigation it was discovered the brewery wasn’t getting a US Hallertau at all but a triploid such as Mt.Hood, Liberty or Crystal. Brewers need to keep in mind the differences in these varieties. US Hallertau is a diploid (two chromosomes) and the closest US variety to German Hallertau Mittlfrueh. All other derivatives are triploid (three chromosomes) and are genetically different in nature. Don’t be fooled with cheap prices or combined names like Hal/Mt.Hood or Hal/Crystal. These are not US Hallertau’s and pricing will make a difference. Make sure your getting (prices and product) what you think you're getting. Never hesitate to ask this question of your supplier.
There has also been some questions recently about the issue of US Tettnangs being the same variety genetically as US Fuggle. Our position is that these are two different varieties while acknowledgeing the genetic similarities. In reality most root stock is obtained from certified material which is overseen by the state hop commissions. Major breweries who purchase both Tettnang and Fuggle, buy them as seperate varieties.
Credit Terms, Past Due Accounts and Credit Card Acceptance
Just a quick reminder to everyone that Hopunion now accepts VISA, Mastercard, and American Express for payment. This is an easy way to pay for your hops and, with many credit card companies, receive an annual report of your purchase. Use your credit card to pay at time of ordering or use it to pay an outstanding balance. No wait for credit terms to be approved. No harassing phone calls about past due accounts. Take the responsibility for payment out of the brewers hands and into the hands of the people management. Give us a for more information.
Hopunion has a limited supply of hop pockets from England bearing unique grower stencils. Some of the bale cloths show a horse and others a crest. We are offering these on a 1st come 1st serve basis. They can be purchased for $10 or you can receive one for free with any order over $200.00. Hopunion also offers new bale cloth, stenciled with the Hopunion logo and variety names. These make for a nice wall hanging or table cloth. The cloth comes in 4 foot widths and can be as long as needed. The charge is $8.00 per foot. A 4 x 4 piece can be ordered free of charge with every $200 order. Display the unique hop variety names, specifically the varieties used in your beer, in your brewpub or at the next festival.
He's Bigger Than Life! 20 Years in the Hop Industry
On April 1st Ralph Olson will have celebrated his 20th year in the hop industry. Ralph has been a real icon in the craftbrewing industry from the very onset. He likes to tell the story of how he sold Ken Grossman (Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.) hops when Ken had his homebrew shop. Ralph has also been responsible for many queasy mornings due to Hopfentropf nights. We would like to hear some of your interesting stories about Ralph to put in our next newsletter. Please call or fax your stories to the attention of Cindy Kloster or Ralph Woodall. Look for a celebration to occur sometime this summer to commemorate Ralphs dedication (addiction?) to the hop and brewing
Hopunion and Charles E. Zimmermann have resolved their dispute concerning the ownership of the 9/17 and 12/10 hop varieties. These hops have been sold commerically as the Columbus variety, and also under the Tomahawk brand name, and belong to a new generation of hop plants called super high-alpha hops. These super high-alpha hop varieties have great commercial value because they consistently produce an exceptionally high yield of hop cones per acre, and the hop cones contain a very high percentage of alpha acids which is the bittering agent used by many of the world’s brewers to flavor beer. Also both the 9/17 and 12/10 hop varieties have apparently demonstrated some resistance to powdery mildew, a deadly hop plant disease which mysteriously appeared last year in the Yakima Valley. Although the terms of the settlement are confidential, the parties have agreed that Mr. Zimmermann is the creator of the 9/17 and 12/10 super high-alpha hop varieties and that both parties have ownership rights to the varieties. Both Hopunion and Mr. Zimmermann will be assigning all their ownership rights in these hop varieties to a joint venture. The joint venture will then be responsible for licensing the varieties to interested hop growers and for preventing any unlicensed use of the hop varieties. Hopunion will be the joint venture partner responsible for overseeing all licensing and enforcement activities. The availability of licenses to grow 9/17 and 12/10 as powdery mildew tolerant super high-alpha hop varieties is expected to generate a great deal of interest by the entire hop industry. Johannes Raiser, the chairman of Hopunion, said he was glad the dispute was over: This has been difficult litigation, but I am glad to have resolved it on fair terms. We can now turn to the business of making sure these is no improper or unauthorized use by others. He indicated any licensing inquires should be directed to Dr. Gregory Lewis or Mr. Dennis Bakos of Hopunion. Mr. Zimmermann was also pleased that the litigation was over, and that he had been confirmed as the creator of the varieties: I am happy that my role in developing
Hopunion to Carry Expanded Product Range
English Hop Products Ltd and Quest International have jointly developed a new range of Hop Aroma products. These Hop Aroma products are designed to make possible very high levels of control of an important brewing quality which has historically been difficult or expensive using traditional methods. The development of these products has been made possible by using Quest special analytical and separation technology applied to hop products supplied by English Hop Products Ltd. English Hop Products Ltd are recognized experts in the liquid carbon dioxide extraction of hops and other natural plant products and are backed by all the resources of Hopunion, one of the world’s leading hop growers and processors. English Hop Products Ltd and Hopunion will launch these new products as the latest addition to their existing range at the brewing exhibitions in Tokyo, Manila and Perth in March 1998. All of the new products are 100% derived from hops. They offer a unique solution to the control of beer flavour and aroma through the identification of key flavour and aroma compounds and the application of Quest technology for the extraction of specific hop aromas with the control of their perceptions in beer. Two product ranges will be available initially, HOPCO2N PFAroma for addition of late hop character post-fermentation and HOPCO2N PFDual Purpose which combine the hop aroma with other desirable beer characters such as foam enhancement.
There have been many grower meetings the past few weeks to discuss combatting Hop Powdery Mildew disease in the Yakima Valley. Items on the table have been discussions with the Clean Air Authority on burning fields, the selling of rootstock, and government assistance in case of a total disastrous crop year. While it is too early to know how much damage has been done, tests are being conducted in greenhouses to determine a course of action. It has been confirmed the Hop Powdery Mildew has overwintered and is likely to be around for the season. The Washington Hop Commission is currently working on EPA approval on potential herbicides. Hop growers in Europe have been dealing with Hop Powdery Mildew for quite a few years and have herbicides which have been very effective. Of course the most important element is timing. There has been a web site set up for those interested in hearing more on this problem - WWW.USAHOPS.ORG Hopunion is feeling optimistic concerning future stocks. Considering the over production situation worldwide we don’t see a problem on the supply side. We see the bigger problem being with the grower. Hop Growers could see a cost of up to $.20 per pound to spray for powdery mildew. Considering there are growers who are selling at cost or below (due to the overproduction situation), this can add a burden some growers will find hard to
R&B Brewing School Practical Brewing Course
Rick Dellow and Barry Benson of R&B Brewing Co., Vancouver, BC are taking applications for their two week hands on intensive training program geared to newcomers in the brewpub and micrbrewing industry. Theoretical and practical training will be given as well as a copy of the R&B Brewing Manual of Good Brewing Practice. For registration or general information call (604) 874-