Hop Shortage

I know that many web sites were out of Citra and Simcoe within a couple weeks of harvest. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think because Simcoe and citra are both licensed brands, they are only grown by one group of growers and because of their skyrocketing popularity (esp. Citra) in the last couple of years, the growers just can't keep up. This is what i was told by my local hop farmer...

 

High demand and limited acres, along with a harvest that was slightly down for some varieties. The patented/trademarked brands have limited acres so that the farmers get a premium for those hops.

It was known in the fall that Amarillo, Citra, Simcoe and Centennial would be in short supply this year. Brewers with contracts will be fine. Most homebrewer shops use the spot market, and are out. Some LHBS have contracts and will have supply, but the price will be high for the high demand/low supply varieties.

freshops.com have Amarillo and Citra, and recently had Simcoe but are out today.

 

You gotta be on top of things if you want the good hops and browse online sites almost daily after harvest. Being lucky helps too.

The positive thing though is that you know you are getting fresh hops when they come out again next year, and not just last year's leftovers.

 

It's more of a variatal shortage. Nothing like the hop shortage when I started brewing in '08.

 

I agree with this. I think people are trying to buy their years supply of the popular types early because they might not be able to get them later.

 

I know that's what I do. If you don't you may not see some of the Simcoe, Amarillo, or other popular super-alphas all year.

 

Yep, more demand from craft brewers, limited supply and spotty harvests are driving people to find hops from different places or use different varieties. SN's doing a lot of fresh hops imports from New Zeland these days. I've seen amarillo pellets available here and there depending on the amounts you need.

 

ISO stolen Simcoe and Citra rhizomes...

 

You should add Amarillo to your fantasy roster.

 

crazy...I just bought 4 oz of citra and 3 oz of amarillo today at a LHBS in delaware

 

Not crazy. Next time you go, ask them if they have a contract with the supplier, or if the supplier has the contract.

My LHBS says they will have Simcoe, Amarillo and Citra. They did last year when those got tight, too.

 

Fortunate then...I will check that out.

 

I wonder if agricultural products like hops that are trademarked have a set timespan like patented products...eg. Lipitor.
Any patent/trademark lawyers out there?

 

www.nikobrew.com has all 3 available for the time being. Not cheap at $5 for 2oz. but its there.

 

I believe if you like a certain type of hop and have the room grow your own, now have 16 Centennial 12 Simcoe and 10 Warrior going and never run out of those so I just brew around these harvest although now am almost at a shortage and still will have to purchase some .

 

Just received my 24 oz of Simcoe (2 different shops) so I should be ok this year. Average price was $2 per ounce.

 

First, I applaud folks who grow their own hops. I think it's awesome. But I can't help thinking that the 'terroir' of the locale would make the hop flavor and aroma somewhat different. For example, do Styrian Goldings taste like Fuggles? Sort of, but not exactly. Is it because they have diverged since being transplanted or because of the growing conditions? Same questions for the locales of the Hallertau cultivar. And for the Tettnang cultivar. I'm sure there are other examples.

I wonder if anyone has done any experimental comparisons between homegrown hops and their genetically identical commercial sources.

 

Where do we find Simcoe or Warrior rhizomes?

 

You can't purchase them. Newer hop varieties which are proprietary to certain farms only, so they are exclusively grown and not made available for purchase.