Mid Atlantic Hops Are Growing Up

    CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, May 14, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Old Dominion Hops Cooperative (ODHC) recently held its first annual business meeting in Nelson County, welcoming new farmers from Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina. Recognized by the Virginia Department of Agriculture as an Agricultural Cooperative in 2014, ODHC started in 2009 to share members' experiences and industry best practices in the cultivation of hops, an ingredient in beer production. Demand for hops has exploded along with the US craft beer market and Virginia hops production has grown 900% in the last four years.

Officers elected at the business meeting included Devon Kistler of Mechanicsville, Hanover County, Vice Chair and Treasurer, Stan Driver of Lyndhurst and Secretary Randy Green of Shipman Virginia in Nelson County.

Also elected were Directors of the Board who include, Nat Abeles - Highline Hops, Clark County, Justen Dick-Kelly Ridge Farms, Washington County, Lynn St Clair-Swover Creek Farms, Shenandoah County, Steve Brown - Piedmont Hops, Chesterfield County, and Laura Siegle - Virginia Cooperative Extension Service Representative.

"We are excited about the growth of the craft beer industry in Virginia and the Mid Atlantic and want to support it by providing fresh local hops to brewers," said Chairman Kistler recently. "Our members form relationships with local brewers and home brewclubs where we can provide a local, sustainable crop that will benefit farmers, brewers, and local beer enthusiasts."

Kistler continued by saying, "The ODHC has grown from six farmers in 2009 to over 60 today, and provides the tools for farmers and growers who want to create higher value products for local markets, reduce costs, decrease crop risk and provide additional revenue streams."

Chairman Devon Kistler is co-owner of Huguenot Hops in Midlothian, VA and grew up in a farming family in Oregon. Vice Chairman and Treasurer Stand Driver is the Founder of ODHC, owner of Hoot-n-Holler Hops and has been growing hops since 2007. Driver consults with farmers establishing new hopsyards and all phases of hops production. Secretary Randy Green owns Green Diamond Hop Yard in Shipman, Virginia and supplies local breweries.

The Old Dominion Hops Cooperative (ODHC) represents local hops growers throughout the Mid Atlantic, educates its members about hops production best practices and communicates the ways fresh, local hops provide the best ingredients for brewers. Fresh or "wet" hops provide piney aromas and bright flavors that add complexity similar to fresh herbs in cooking. These complex flavors are only available in a freshly picked hop, since the drying process evaporates some essential oils. People enjoy the distinctively mellow and delicate identity of wet hop beer which also adds unique marketing differentiators to seasonal beers and ales.

The Coop is a recognized Agricultural Cooperative by the Virginia Department of Agriculture, provides regional workshops and education, bulk purchasing, grant proposals and an annual wet hop beer festival. ODHC members produced 10,000 lbs of hops in 2014 and sells to craft breweries, brewpubs, retailers and home brewclubs from Georgia to Pennsylvania.

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