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Shinsuke Agehara, Roberto Marceddu | Agronomy Journal | (2025)
Key Takeaways
Plain English Takeaway
This study shows that it is possible to grow hops in warmer, subtropical places, but farmers need to adjust how they grow and process the plants to get good results.
Study Aim
The main goal of this paper is to find out how different weather patterns affect the growth stages and yearly performance of hops (Humulus lupulus L., a plant used in beer) when grown in subtropical climates. The authors also aim to test different ways to measure heat accumulation (growing degree days, or GDDs) and see how these methods relate to plant growth and quality.
Simply put: The study wants to see how well hops can grow in warm places and which ways of measuring heat work best.
Study Design
The researchers grew hops in a subtropical region over two years. They compared several methods for calculating growing degree days (GDDs, a way to measure how much heat plants get) to see which best predicts plant growth. They collected data on plant development, growth measurements, and the quality of the harvested hops, including compounds important for beer flavor and aroma. The study also looked at the possibility of harvesting hops twice a year in these climates.
Simply put: The team grew hops for two years in a warm area, tested different ways to track plant growth, and checked how good the hops turned out.
Findings
The study reveals that one method for calculating growing degree days (Method I) was more stable for tracking plant growth, while another (Method II) fit the overall data better. Adjusting for very hot days improved the accuracy of predictions, but no single method was perfect. Hops needed more heat to grow in the subtropical climate than in cooler areas, and their growth patterns were different. The quality of hops, especially the compounds that give bitterness and aroma, varied by season, with spring 2021 producing the best results. The authors suggest that harvesting hops twice a year could help farmers get better yields in warm climates, but they also stress the need for good facilities to handle and process the harvest. These insights can help local farmers and brewers succeed with hops in new regions.
Simply put: The study found that hops can grow well in warm places if farmers use the right methods and have good equipment to handle the harvest.
Abstract
Abstract Crop diversification has emerged as a crucial strategy for advancing agricultural sustainability and mitigating the impacts of climate change, while also presenting novel economic opportunities in emerging climatic zones. The burgeoning global craft beer industry has intensified interest in cultivating hops ( Humulus lupulus L.) in nontraditional regions, including Brazil, the Southeastern United States, and the Mediterranean. Traditionally adapted to temperate climates, hops must be acclimated to local conditions for successful cultivation in new environments. This study assessed various methodologies for calculating growing degree days (GDDs) and found that Method I demonstrated superior stability for both vegetative and reproductive phases, though Method II exhibited a better overall fit. While the application of T max > 30°C corrections reduced variability and enhanced R 2 values, no single method proved definitively superior. Analysis indicated elevated GDD requirements during vegetative stages, attributable to increased thermal averages across the 2‐year study period. Positive correlations between GDDs and biometric data suggest distinctive growth responses in subtropical environments compared to temperate regions. Quality evaluations revealed significant variability in bittering and aromatic compounds, with spring 2021 showing higher overall quality. These findings advocate for the viability of a double annual harvest as a strategic approach to optimizing hop production in subtropical climates. The results underscore the necessity for appropriate infrastructure to support post‐harvest processing and provide valuable insights for local agricultural stakeholders and brewing industries.
I'm not 100% sure, but I think the logic is that since it's too cold to plant grapes and people still want to get drunk, hops is the easiest (?) alternative.
It seems like the opposite is also a problem for warmer countries hoping to grow hops . Living in northern Europe all my life I never even considered it!