Sam Adams Shares Its Hops

BOSTON — As the unprecedented hops shortage continues, Boston Beer Co. has launched a hops sharing program to aid other craft brewers in need. “We looked at our own hops supplies at Boston Beer and decided we could share some of our hops with other craft brewers who are struggling to get hops this year,” according to the company, producer of the Samuel Adams brand. The company is offering 10,000 pounds of East Kent Goldings from Tony Redsell, a top English grower, and 10,000 pounds of the German Noble hop Tettnang Tettnanger. Both are the same hops Boston Beer uses in its own brews. The company is selling hops-plant flowers used to flavor beer, at cost: $5.72 a pound plus 75 cents a pound to cover shipping and handling for the Goldings and $5.42 per pound plus 75 cents for the Tetts. Similar hops are selling for $15 to $30 on the open market. Each brewer can order up 528 pounds. “The purpose of doing this is to get some hops to the brewers who really need them,” the company says. “So if you don’t really need them, please don’t order them.” The company has already received hundreds of requests, so it may run a lottery. All requests must be made by March 22. As reported in this week’s SN, the hops shortage is taking a toll on the brewing industry, especially craft brewers, who use more hops for fuller-flavored beer.

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