Nearly 200 participants heard from industry experts about the challenges and opportunities facing the fledgling Tennessee hop crop during the second annual Tennessee Hops Week, in Memphis and Knoxville last week. These were public events, hosted in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, and Tennessee Craft Brewers Guild’ Farm to Tap.
Open to all individuals interested in hops, brewing, and the agriculture industry, attendees learned about hops varieties, growing conditions, and tips for brewing with hops. The week also included the announcement of a new hops-specific membership level in the Tennessee Craft Brewers Guild.
In Memphis, Agricenter International opened its doors for participants to listen in on a panel discussion with local brewers and hops farmers. Attendees also toured the hopyard and barley trials to observe Agricenter’s research efforts firsthand.
In Knoxville, participants took a tour of the newly opened hopyard at the East Tennessee Research and Education Center followed by a panel discussion with local brewers at Yee-Haw Brewing Co.
The Tennessee Craft Brewers Guild’s new “Hops Grower” membership level allows hops farmers to be more involved with Guild events and partnerships going forward. For more information and to sign up for the “Hops Grower” membership with the Guild, please visit https://tncraftbrewers.org/join-now/#join.
“Tennessee Hops Week was an amazing opportunity to highlight the mission of Farm to Tap, bringing local ingredients to the forefront in Tennessee craft beer,” said Sharon Cheek, Tennessee Craft Brewers Guild Executive Director. “It was so exciting to gather last week at these events with Tennessee craft brewers, hops enthusiasts and growers for a great day of education and networking.”
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