Yakima Chief Hops Announces FWD, A New Hop Innovation Program
Once upon a time, Mosaic hops were called HBC 369 and Citra hops were called HBC 394. Those were the temporary names given to those popular hop varieties during the development process. At the moment, as in moments past, Yakima Chief Hops (YCH) is developing several new varieties. A few will earn names, but many will never get that far. The company’s new FWD program invites breweries to contribute to the hop variety development process.
Yakima Chief Hops (YCH) recently announced that it has partnered with Yakima Chief Ranches to launch its FWD program. The new YCH FWD program focuses on innovation to develop new hop varieties using data and community involvement. Participating brewers will be granted access to the newest, not-yet-commercialized HBC varieties and products in Yakima Chief Hop’s innovation pipeline.
Application registration is open for breweries interested in trialing new hop products and experimental hop varieties. In its inaugural year, FWD will welcome a limited number of enthusiastic participants. Through brewing trials, questionnaires, conversation, and sensory analysis, brewers will help guide these products through their final stage of development. Interested applicants may register at HopFWD.com.
Essentially, YCH will grant selected breweries access to new, yet-named hops as part of the final development process. A few breweries already do this kind of work for various hop growers/suppliers. Single Hill Brewing’s Outcross IPA program springs to mind. FWD is YCH’s way of formalizing things.
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“At Yakima Chief Hops, we believe that true innovation in brewing comes from a symbiosis between the grower’s fields and the brewer’s creativity,” says Tessa Schilaty, Yakima Chief Hops Sensory and Brewing Research Manager. “With FWD, we’re not just introducing new hop varieties and products; we’re inviting brewers into the heart of our development process. This program is our commitment to craft a future where every sip of beer is a testament to our shared passion for excellence and exploration.”
The ultimate goal of FWD is to have a circular, growing community of brewers working with Yakima Chief Hops to identify and curate the products that keep beer moving forward. For more information visit hopfwd.com.
