This year’s Great American Beer Festival featured the first competition starring a new public hop variety, Vera. How did it go? Well enough that the Brewers Association may do it again at GABF featuring another new public variety—Thora, the result of a partnership between the Hop Quality Group (HQG) and the USDA.
Chuck Skypeck, the BA’s technical brewing projects director, says the Vera category at the GABF competition “was a success on many levels. The brewer response was great. The project brought attention and interest to both the hop and the public hop-breeding program. ... Judges and competition staff shared enthusiasm for a new and exciting aspect to the competition.”
If the contest returns, however, it may not be until 2027, when Thora will be more widely available. "We've begun those conversations,” Skypeck says. “Likely yes. There is enthusiasm for the idea.”
For brewers, much of that interest focuses on getting to know Vera and Thora—previously known as HRC-003 and HQG-4, respectively—and deciding whether either belongs in their portfolio. Farmers from anywhere in the United States will be able to acquire Vera and Thora and grow them without paying royalties.
However, growers are waiting for brewers to signal they’ll buy them.