First AromaFest of Northern Crop 2019

New hop variety aroma assessments.

The first AromaFest of the 2019 Northern Crop season has officially begun. Held earlier today, this event marked the initial round of new hop variety aroma assessments as part of our ongoing Hop Development Programme. This is just the first of five aroma assessment sessions planned before Christmas.

At the heart of AromaFest is the exciting work of evaluating potential new hop varieties. This stage focuses entirely on aroma — one of the most critical factors in hop selection for brewers. Today’s session offered a first look at what might become the next big thing in brewing.

More about the process and the programme

Programme & new hop varieties · Wellhopped World Series · Behind the scenes

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Experts Lead the Way in New Hop Variety Aroma Evaluation

AromaFest brought together a knowledgeable team to lead the assessments. Robbie Harrigan, Mark Lovegrove, and Hop Development Programme leader Peter Glendenning were all in attendance. Each expert brought their unique insights to the aroma table.

The team assessed around 30 completely new and distinct hop samples. These samples are the result of careful cultivation and breeding. Out of the 30, five standout varieties were selected to move forward to the next stage.

What Happens After the New Hop Variety Aroma Trials?

The next step for the selected varieties is pilot brewing trials. These trials are critical in understanding how the aroma characteristics translate into a finished beer. While no brewers are using these varieties yet, this could change soon. If they perform well in the pilot plant, there is strong potential for upscaling.

Each step of the process—from aroma assessment to brewing—ensures only the best hops make it to market. With continued development and expert guidance, the future looks bright for these exciting new varieties.

Stay tuned for updates on the next AromaFest session and the brewing trials to follow.