South Dakota-Grown Hops Flavor Local Beer


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SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NEWS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release: November 30, 2010

Media Contact: Alison Kiesz, 605-626-3272

 

South Dakota-Grown Hops Flavor Local Beer

 

PIERRE, S.D. – The local food movement has become increasingly popular in recent years and now South Dakota hop growers and microbreweries are adding to this growing trend with a new product: local beer.

 

A handful of producers have started growing hops in South Dakota and have made arrangements with the state’s microbreweries to utilize the hops grown, in some cases, just down the road from the brewery.

 

“Hops are a very new crop in South Dakota,” said Jon Farris, South Dakota’s Acting Secretary of Agriculture.  “Though we only have a few growers at this time, there is potential for this industry to expand, just as the grape and wine industry has expanded in the last fifteen years.”

 

While home brewers have been growing hops for use in their own recipes for years, commercial production of hops is just beginning.  Several Black Hills producers have conducted on-farm research to determine the viability of large-scale hops production, and the results are promising.

 

Funding for this research has been supported by the Specialty Crop Block Grant program, in which federal funds are administered by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture.  The funding has enabled growers to learn important production points, such as variety selection, key planting dates, and pest management, along with harvesting and drying options.

 

Dakota Hops in Spearfish and Firehouse Brewing Company in Rapid City have both received funds to build their knowledge and conduct research to determine which hop varieties can thrive in South Dakota.  Firehouse Brewing utilizes hops grown on their farm in making their beer. Crow Peak Brewing Company in Spearfish features hops grown by Dakota Hops.

 

Individuals interested in hops production or the Specialty Crop Block Grant program can contact Alison Kiesz at 605-626-3272 or alison.kiesz@state.sd.us

 

Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating more than $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 173,000 South Dakotans.  The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow.  Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov/ or follow us on Facebook.

 

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