(Yakima, WA) – BSG Hops shared some stats (pdf) on the U.S. hop crops planted this year (to be used for commercial production in a couple years) from a USDA report. Their highlights:

• Aroma acreage now represents 42% of US hop acreage; up from 27% in 2008.

• Cascade is now the second largest variety by acreage.

• CTZ acreage expanded by 541 acres this year but is still down 45% compared to 2009.

• Cluster acreage continues to make a comeback as acreage has almost doubled since 2007.

Notably, Citra has once again more than doubled in acreage. Mosaic was last year’s hot hop introduction. More Mosaic was planted this year than Citra, previously the most buzzworthy hop, in 2011.

The way that trends are going, Cascade could become the #1 U.S. hop variety next year in terms of new acreage.