Ontario Hop Growers’ Association

Ontario Benchmark Study & Hops Analysis

Project Type

Benchmark Study & Lab Analysis

Challenge

The Ontario Hop Growers’ Association (OHGA) came to the CFWI Innovation Centre team with the goal of establishing some benchmarks for the relatively new Ontario hop market. The association lacks the lab space and resources to provide the needed analyses to prove Ontario hops are a viable alternative to importing from outside of Canada.

Solution

The research team collected hop samples at key harvest dates from various Ontario hop growers. They conducted multiple food-science tests (Alpha & Beta acids, moisture analysis, HSI) during different stages of harvest, to identify bitterness peaks of each of the test varieties, and begin to identify optimal harvest dates for Ontario-grown hops. The business team also assisted by conducting primary research with hop growers and craft brewers to assess the commercial viability of the Ontario hops market.