Zatec institute breeds heat-resilient hops

In Zatec, a town located roughly an hour northwest of Prague, researchers are developing new hop varieties designed to withstand extreme heat and drought. The Hop Research Institute is working to secure the agricultural base for Czech beer production, which relies heavily on the region's specific hop profiles. The initiative addresses the immediate impact of changing weather patterns on crop yields and quality.

Pavel Donner, who works in the hop cultivation department at the institute, notes that the high temperatures of the recent summer affected both the volume and the chemical composition of the crop. Hop growers across the Czech Republic saw average yields drop by more than 20% this past summer. The heat also reduced the alpha acid content in hop cones, a key compound responsible for the bitterness in beer. Donner stated that the alpha acid levels this year were poor, forcing breweries to use more hops to maintain the same flavor profile in their products.

Vladimir Nesvadba, the head hop breeder at the institute, began this research line 20 years ago. The process involved testing plants in greenhouses and in fields without irrigation over a 15-year period. In 2019, he registered two new drought-resistant varieties: Saaz Comfort and Saaz Shine. Nesvadba pointed out that these new plants flower from the top of the trellis down to the bottom, indicating higher productivity compared to the original Saaz variety, which has been grown in Zatec for more than 1,000 years.

Local microbreweries have begun incorporating these new varieties into their recipes. Miko Havrda, the owner of the Pioneer craft brewery in Zatec, brews with both Saaz Comfort and Saaz Shine. He described Saaz Comfort as having a stronger and sharper bitterness than the original Saaz. He characterized Saaz Shine as more fruity, with notes of red berries and citrus. Havrda acknowledged that his suppliers have already signaled a lower supply of hops for this year, confirming the need for climate-resilient crops.

American craft breweries have also taken notice of the new strains. Brock Wagner, the founder of Saint Arnold Brewing in Houston, Texas, said the brewery has served a Czech lager made with Saaz Shine hops at their beer garden since 2024. Wagner described the hops as the first new drought-tolerant variety that generated significant interest among his staff. He noted that the beer is popular with customers who appreciate traditional Czech lagers.

Rainfall in the Czech Republic reached historic lows this year, and farmers rely on rain due to low irrigation levels. Experts warn that a super El Niño event could bring an even hotter and drier year in 2027. The Hop Research Institute continues to monitor field trials to ensure these varieties remain viable as global temperatures rise.