Beer Wars: A New Hop

Of the four main ingredients in any beer, the hop is the most particular and niche. We don't grow barley or wheat just for beer, yeast is used in many sorts of baking, and obviously water has a few uses, but hops are really only used for beer, and more importantly, they can only be effectively grown in a few areas. Bavaria in Germany and Washington state account for something like two-thirds of the world's hop production (don't quote me on that percentage, but either way, it's a lot). You can grow hops plenty of places, and there are certainly plenty of non–beer-related hops that flourish outside Germany and Washington, but if you want mass hop production, your options are limited. Beer hops require a specific soil and climate.

Take Maryland, for example. There are numerous farm breweries throughout the state that grow their own hops, but the total acreage devoted to hop growth is 20. That compares with over 50,000 acres in the Pacific Northwest. They need constant care in Maryland, as they're vulnerable to both excessive heat and numerous diseases and pests. But what if there was a hop that was adapted to the Maryland climate? A hop that's been here for many years and could be used in beer?

Say hello to the Monocacy hop. Discovered in 2013, it's completely unique, unknown anywhere outside Frederick County in Maryland. While technically it's not native, it's been naturalized, having been in Maryland since the early 1800s. That means it can survive Maryland's adverse conditions. And unlike other invasive species from Japan, it produces flowers usable in brewing. But the question is, while the research into the hop shows it can be used in beer, does the Monocacy hop taste good? And now, in 2023, the hop is moving out of the lab and into commercial production. Milkhouse Brewery in Mt. Airy, Maryland, came out with three beers utilizing the Monocacy hop. And while I would suggest any interested parties go out and try it for yourself, since Milkhouse is a 25-minute drive from home, I went out and secured all three of these new beers for myself. So, if you're curious, I'll be reviewing all three for the next 3 weeks.