Newsletter May 2025

Newsletter February / March 2025

• USA: 2024 Hop Harvest Results and Trends for 2025
• New Hop Varieties: Krush, Tango
• Promotion: On Sale

1. USA: 2024 Hop Harvest and Trends for 2025

In the USA, the hop harvest area decreased from 22,500 ha in 2023 to 18,590 ha in 2024, a reduction of 4,000 ha. (The hop-growing area in the Czech Republic is 4,800 ha.) The main reductions were recorded for the Citra variety (reduction for 860 ha), Mosaic (reduction for 670 ha), and Cascade (reduction for 600 ha). Overall production declined by 16%, from 47 million kg of hops in 2023 to 39.5 million kg in 2024. Further slight reductions in acreage and production are expected to balance supply and demand, as hop production has significantly exceeded actual demand over the past four years.

The state of Washington, with 13,500 ha and a production of 29 million kg of hops, accounts for 75% of the total hop-growing area and production in the USA. It is followed by Idaho with 13% and Oregon with 12%. The leading variety remains Citra, followed by CTZ (Columbus – Tomahawk – Zeus), Mosaic, Cascade, Simcoe, Centennial, Amarillo, Chinook, Eureka, Willamette, Eldorado, Strata, Idaho 7, Ekuanot, and others. More details can be found in the National Hop Report (12/20/2024).

As further reductions in acreage and some hop varieties are becoming increasingly significant, it is advisable to secure your supply of American hops from the 2025 harvest for 2026 as soon as possible. This will help you avoid potential issues and ensure a stable supply for your brewery in 2025.

                                       The percentage representation of individual hop varieties

2. New Hop Varieties: Krush from the USA and Tango from Germany

We have recently introduced the Krush variety (formerly HBC 586) from the USA, which features a very intense fruity aroma profile with notes of mango and orange.

Additionally, the German variety Tango (breeding code 2011/02/04) is characterized by a fine fruity aroma of maracuja with hints of grapefruit and lemon. Both varieties are certainly worth trying. More details at https://www.brelex.cz/en/chmelove-odrudy/ .

3. Discount Events February – March

We are offering the following hops, yeasts, and malts during February – March. Prices apply per 1 kg of product (excluding VAT and transport, EXW Czech Republic). All products are carefully handled and stored, available while supplies last:

• 2023 US Willamette, 5.20% alpha acids, 575 CZK/kg pellets (= 23,47 EUR/kg pellets);
• 2023 NZ Wakatu, 7.10% alpha acids, 755 CZK/kg pellets (= 30,82 EUR/kg pellets);
• 2023 NZ Wai-Iti, 2.60% alpha acids, 755 CZK/kg pellets (= 30,82 EUR/kg pellets);
• 2024 CZ Saaz Late, 2.51% alpha acids, 325 CZK/kg pellets (= 13,27 EUR/kg pellets);
• 2022 NZ Taiheke / NZ Cascade/, 7.10% alpha acids, 695 CZK/kg pellets (= 28,37 EUR/kg pellets);
• 2022 US Calypso, 14% alpha acids, 575 CZK/kg pellets (= 23,47 EUR/kg pellets);
• 2022 SLO Fox, 7.20% alpha acids, 315 CZK/kg pellets (= 12,86 EUR/kg pellets);
• Yeast Belle Saison, 3 650 CZK/kg / 1 825 CZK per 0,5 kg package (= 148,98 EUR/kg = 74,49 EUR per 0.5 kg package);
• Yeast Windsor, 3 450 CZK/kg / 1 725 CZK per 0,5 kg package (= 140,82 EUR/kg = 70,53 EUR per 0,5 kg package);
• Malt Swaen Pale Ale, 25 kg package, 21,40 CZK/kg (= 0,87 EUR/kg);
• Enzyme AVB Glucoamylase 400, 825 CZK/liter (= 33,67 EUR/liter).

For more information, visit www.brelex.cz, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, email us at info@brelex.cz, or call +420 608 871 408.