Classic beers threatened - German Hallertauer hops severely damaged

May 27, 9:27 AMBeer ExaminerCharlie Papazian

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Severaly damaged hop crops in Hallertauer area of Germany

The beer news is trickling in.  Severe thunderstorms and hail swept across parts of Europe Monday evening and Tuesday morning.  The Brewers Association has received early reports that the Hallertauer hop growing area hop yards have been severely damaged.   

One member from the Netherlands reports, “Staff of Bayerische Staatsbrauerei  Weihenstephaner [where the German brewing school resides], who live throughout the area, have all reported the complete destruction of hop fields in the region.”  Other reports indicate that the damage was local in some areas and effected about only 25% of the region.

That’s sad news for lovers of classic and traditional German beer styles.   While the large international brands of pilsener lager are not so reliant on these types of traditional hops, many small brewers throughout the world who brew specialty beers (that once defined German traditional beers) with the unique character of Hallertauer grown hops may be challenged in the coming two years.  In Europe it usually takes two years for new plantings to bear full harvest.

Sam Adams lager made by Boston Beer is the most popular of American craft beers that use hops from Hallertauer. 

The Hallerau hop grown in the Hallertauer area (just north of Munich) is called Hallertauer Hallertau.  They can be grown in other areas of the world, but because of unique soil and climactic conditions the qualities vary from area to area.  Those grown I Hallertauer have a unique spicy, earthy, herbal aroma and flavor that is reminiscent of old school German brews. 

In America,  Hallertau hops are grown in the Idaho region. Those hops tend to have a floral note absent in German grown harvests.

This year’s supplies are from past year harvests.  As a homebrewer the best utilization of Hallertauer hops is at late hopping stages of the boil and dry hopping in small amounts.  The bitterness of Hallertauer is mild and pleasant, and can be approximated with American varieties such as Vanguard and Mt Hood and French Strisselspalt hops as bittering.

This makes me appreciate my Hallertauer lager beers even more.