Local scientists, farmers and brewers exploring Florida-grown hops as a viable crop

Janet Begley | Special to TCPalm

FORT PIERCE — On a small parcel of land on Picos Road, researchers at the University of Florida/IFAS Extension are working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on a demonstration project to grow hops.

With craft brewing gaining popularity on the Treasure Coast and across the state, researchers are encouraging local brewers to try Florida hops in the small-batch brews.

Last year, the researchers harvested their first Fort Pierce crop and hops from the trial were brewed in beers by Pareidolia Brewing Company in Sebastian as well as Orchid Island Brewery and Walking Tree Brewery, both in Vero Beach.

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Scientists with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences are working with grants from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services to develop a viable state hops crop.

In addition to Fort Pierce, projects are underway at several locations including the UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka, the Gulf Coast Research & Education Center in Wimauma and at the Hillsboro County Economic Development Department near Tampa.

Local farmers, brewers and researchers met July 26 in Fort Pierce at the UF/IFAS Extension Center where they toured the farm and hops yard with its has 24-foot tall posts connected at the top by twine to allow the hops bines to climb.

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They discussed Florida hops production with the goal of creating a market for a locally-grown plant that helps give beer its flavor and aroma. It also would contribute to the increasing demand for locally sourced products.

Most of hops (the flowers of the hop plant) currently used for beer come from Pacific Northwest states such as Washington and Oregon. They are harvested, kiln-dried and sold to breweries across the county.

Florida advantage

Growing hops in Florida has a key advantage.

In most places, hops is harvested in late summer. But in Florida, the crop is usually ready in early summer so that gives the state a leg up, and a chance for a second harvest in fall.

“We think there’s a real opportunity here,” said Richard Smith, founder and CEO of Florida Hops in Orlando. Smith, a former researcher at the University of Florida, said most brewers are not used to Florida hops being available early. “We beat everyone to the market because it’s available in early summer.”

Florida-based microbreweries and breweries also could experiment with wet hops, a crop that must be used within 24-48 hours of harvest, typically in the fall. Wet hops skip the drying process and produce a beer with a different flavor and aroma, Smith said.

In August, a beer made entirely from hops and barley grown in Florida will make its debut at the Florida Brewers Conference in Orlando and Smith hopes it encourages craft breweries in the state to incorporate more local ingredients.

Ashley Dillon from Sailfish Brewing Company in Fort Pierce said using locally produced hops is of great interest to her.

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“We at Sailfish try to keep everything local,” Dillon said. “We support the local farmer and if we could use a local hops, we would definitely be interested.”

Setting up a hops yard is not inexpensive. Ed Skvarch from the University of Florida estimates it costs about $17,600 for a one-acre site.

But it could make sense for a farmer who is looking to diversify into another crop, something of interest to Indian River County Extension Agent Christine Kelly-Begazo who attended Thursday’s session.

“It could be another way to expand for local growers, so that’s why I’m looking into the research,” said Kelly-Begazo. “But the challenge is always going to be the $17,000 in start-up costs with no way to really know the actual profit.”

Bill Turchek, a plant research pathologist from the USDA, said the Fort Pierce demonstration project is beneficial because it allows scientists to understand some of the challenges facing hops growers, including the amount of light, moisture and even chill necessary for a successful crop.

Trellis height, pest control and even disease management also are challenges farmers face as they experiment with growing hops. Overcoming those obstacles could make Florida-grown hops appealing not only locally but to other brewers from outside the state.

“We are learning quite a bit,” Turechek said. “It’s a unique process.”

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