The United States Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research Service (USDA-ARS) hop geneticists, Dr. John Henning (Corvallis, Oregon) and Dr. Kayla Altendorf (Prosser, Washington), share characteristics of the experimental varieties currently in the public breeding programs, with an emphasis on varieties in the Advanced and Elite Line stages. Representatives from the Hop Research Council and Hop Quality Group share details of their programs in support of public hop breeding and ways brewers can get involved.

Learning Objectives

• Learn about the characteristics and genealogy of the hop varieties currently in the Advanced and Elite Line stages of the USDA public hop breeding program
• Sniff experimental varieties and provide sensory feedback to USDA ARS via the SampleOx app
• Hear about opportunities to brew trials with experimental varieties through programs offered by the Hop Research Council and Hop Quality Group