Clean Hop Program Seeks To Beat Disease And Better Bitter Beer

The Clean Hop Program is an ongoing collaboration between researchers at the UW-Madison Department of Plant Pathology, Extension agricultural agents in several counties and farmers interested in getting into the hop business. Clark explained that it has several focuses, including evaluating high-yield and high-quality hop varieties, and assessing which cultivars are well-suited to Wisconsin growing conditions. The goal of the program, now several years along, he noted, is to "develop an economically sustainable system for producing pathogen-free planting stock."

As part of their contribution, UW vegetable pathology scientists researching hops have conducted tissue culture and standard propagation, Clark said, trying to produce disease-free planting material.

"That's why we call it the Clean Hop Program," Clark said. Hop growers "can be guaranteed that this is disease free material and get off to a better start."

The program is working with about a dozen cultivars of hops, Clark noted. These varieties include the widely in-demand Cascade, along with Mount Hood, Willamette and Hallertau hops.

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