47Hops Filed for Bankruptcy

Hops aren't on the list - FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
COVERED UNDER THE (PACA) ACT

It looks like products that, like hops, are typically first dried (raisins, etc) also do not fall under the Act. Lots of herbs are listed, but I assume it's only for fresh herbs rather than dried herbs.

And most hops these days are also further processed into pellets and the act only covers products that are "...fresh or frozen (not canned or cooked)"

I imagine that both dried hops and pelletized hops aren't "perishable" under the USDA definition.

 

Oh sure, there's a lot of stuff not specifically listed, but all you have to do is get one judge to agree that the product in question is both 'agricultural' and 'perishable' and PACA applies. It's all really a fight over money and in this case that's in the hands of a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Trustee.

As to what constitutes "bad hops" I'll leave that for the brewers to discuss.

 

Good idea by Ska to embrace the situation. But I think this is the most relevant quote to the general discussion, and @rodbeermunch 's earlier comment:

With the current consumer tastes - all hop varieties are not created equal

 

I know virtually nothing about this situation because we have a super tiny quantity of hops contracted with 47 Hops. Like, so tiny it wouldn't even add up to one tenth of one percent of our total volume, so I'm not sure why we were mentioned in the article. In general, their pricing is a lot more expensive than other suppliers, so that's why our hops are contracted elsewhere.

Cheers & thanks,
Jacob McKean
Modern Times Beer

 

I like their modus lineup. But maybe just maybe. Make better beer. Don't blame the hop profiles. The NE ipa brewers have done magical things with the hops that ska is sitting on. What's really the problem?

I know some local breweries who do smash beers very very nicely. Not sure how sales Are but it seems like 90% of the time, a good brewer can make the best out of almost any hop variety.

 

Re: Ska. I can think of worse things than having extra galaxy hops to play around with.

 

One (of the many) thing to consider does lie in supply and demand; hops in general or specific varieties. In the not to distant past, there was a severe hop shortage. While hops are a perennial plant, bines spring from the rhizome annually. Plants don't come into peak production several years after being planted so there is a lag.

As others have said, like any crop, they are susceptible to drought, flooding, hail, etc that can impact crops locally and regionally.

All points toward the risk in contracting production...just like futures.

To the conspiracy theorists, ABI would better served damaging craft brewers by controlling the weather in hop growing regions since the farms purchased with the SAB deal barely cover their own needs in South Africa.

 

They can control the weather? I KNEW it!

 

You're already making me regret typing that

 

That is true everywhere but the Yakima Valley. They get from 75% to full production the first year. Less up by Moxie, the most down Valley by Prosser which is warmer and sunnier. That is what they stated at YCH Hop Scholl.