Hop Breeding Company Releases New Pahto Hops
A new hop is now on the market as the Hop Breeding Company has officially launched its new Pahto Hop. Until recently this hop had been known as HBC 682. Now after over 1700 acres have been planted in 2018, this super high-alpha bittering hop is now known by its new name, Pahto.
The Hop Breeding Company is a joint venture between John I. Haas, Inc. and Yakima Chief Ranches, L.L.C., with the mission to develop pest-resistant and disease-resistant hop varieties with strong commercial qualities.
Here are additional details from the Hop Breeding Company’s press release…
The HBC is well-known for creating powerhouse aroma hops such as Citra® brand HBC 394, Mosaic® brand HBC 369, and the recently-released Sabro™ brand HBC 438. The addition of Pahto nicely rounds out the HBC portfolio by providing brewers with a high-alpha hop that delivers a smooth bittering profile with mild, pleasant aromatics. The aroma profile of the hop cone is described as herbal, earthy, and floral. When used as a bittering hop, Pahto provides a very neutral flavor and a pleasant bitterness to the beer.
Pahto is a “super high alpha” hop that growers love because it is late-maturing and resistant to powdery and downy mildew. When used as an early-kettle addition, Pahto consistently delivers a clean canvas of bitterness that can be used for a wide variety of beer styles.
“Aroma hops get all the attention, but bittering hops are a really important part of brewing, too,” says Alex Barth, CEO of John I. Haas, Inc. “We bred Pahto to have really great agronomic qualities, so that it’s good for the farmer, good for the environment, and good for the brewer.”
The name Pahto is inspired by the native name for Mount Adams, the second-highest mountain in Washington State, and the most prominent landmark seen from the Yakima Valley, where many hops are grown. In the Pacific Northwest, most hop farms get their irrigation from snowmelt from the surrounding mountains. “We liked that the name Pahto paid tribute to Yakima Valley, the heart of the hop world, as well as to the local history and geography,” says Jason Perrault of Yakima Chief Ranches. “We’re focused on sustainability because we want to protect our natural resources, and growing hops that are high-yielding and disease-resistant contributes to that goal.”
About The Author
DJ
D.J. is a Portland, Oregon based writer that spent his formative years in the Midwest. With over 25 years under his belt of drinking beer at festivals across America and the world, he has developed a strong appreciation and understanding of craft beer and the industry that surrounds it. He can be found in any of the great breweries or beer bars that make Portland the best beer city in the world. His writing can also be found in the archives of Northwest Brewing News and can be followed on Twitter and Instagram at @hopapalooza.