The Society of Hop Research celebrated its 100th anniversary with a high-profile symposium, a gala evening, and an open house. Around 160 invited guests from politics, science, the hop industry, the brewing sector, and agriculture attended the symposium and the evening celebration. On the following day, approximately 2,500 visitors took the opportunity to explore the Hop Research Center Hüll and experience research first-hand.
The anniversary symposium marked the beginning of the celebrations, focusing on the development of hop research from its origins to the challenges of the future. During a panel discussion, Dr. Michael Möller, Chairman of the Society of Hop Research, and Stephan Sedlmayer, President of the Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture (LfL), reflected on the successful partnership between the Society and LfL, which has now spanned more than five decades. Historian Günther Thömmes then traced the origins of hop research in Hüll, before Dr. Sebastian Gresset provided an overview of current research priorities and future challenges facing hop cultivation.
The four technical excursions also attracted considerable interest. Participants visited the Eichelberg Biodiversity Educational Trail together with IGN, the Hopsteiner facility in Mainburg, the Schönauer hop farm in cooperation with Hopfenring, and the hop processing facilities of HVG and BarthHaas in St. Johann. These excursions clearly demonstrated the close connection between research and practical application throughout the entire hop value chain.
The evening gala focused primarily on expressing gratitude. In his keynote address, Dr. Michael Möller paid tribute to the many individuals who have shaped the Hüll research site over the past century. In her address, Bavaria’s Minister of Agriculture, Michaela Kaniber, emphasized the outstanding importance of the Hop Research Center for Bavaria and for maintaining the international competitiveness of the German hop industry.
The open house proved to be a major success with the public. Around 2,500 visitors explored eight interactive stations showcasing how scientific findings are transferred into practical application. Researchers from the Hop Research Center presented current projects on hop breeding, crop protection, sustainability, biodiversity, digitalization, and resource efficiency. Particular interest was shown in the new Plant Protection Center and the modern experimental facilities, both of which were presented to the public for the first time.
“Our goal was to make research transparent and to demonstrate the diversity of the work carried out in Hüll. The overwhelming response and the great interest shown by our visitors exceeded all of our expectations. It is a wonderful recognition of the efforts of everyone involved,” summarized Dr. Michael Möller.
The Society of Hop Research extends its sincere thanks to all speakers, guests, and partners, as well as to the many sponsors whose generous support made the anniversary weekend and the four technical excursions possible.
Special thanks are due to AB InBev and Busch Farm, who generously provided their premises for the gala evening and have supported the Hüll research site in an exemplary manner for many decades. This long-standing and trusting partnership is a key pillar in the successful development of hop research and reflects the close cooperation between science and industry.
The anniversary celebrations not only provided an opportunity to reflect on a century of successful hop research but also highlighted that future challenges-from climate change and sustainability to digitalization-can only be addressed through close collaboration. The strong network of researchers, industry partners, hop growers, merchants, brewers, and policymakers will continue to provide the foundation for successful hop research in Hüll for many years to come.