PUBLICATION CZECH HOPS 2010

Traditionally like each year was edited international publication Český chmel – Czech hops. This publication was officially published at fair Brau Beviale 2010 in Nurnberg.

This year, our sixth annual issue, editor in cooperation with article writers will again bring you information of a significant and professional nature from Czech hop industry. The newest archeological findings confirm the hop has been connected with our country for many years. The discovery eight and a half years ago that hop growing was conducted here is just one piece of evidence. The "green gold" plant was demonstrably present in the Žatec region during the Neolithic era – younger Stone Age.

A series of protective elements also demonstrate the quality and uniqueness of the Czech hop. For several years now, Saaz hops has had a trademark with the ZATEC HOP label. Together with precise and state-monitored certification, the consumer can be sure of the location, i.e. where his hop was grown. We live in a modern society and the development in technology gives us new options in labeling hops, which we will describe further in our publication.

Scientists from the Hop Research Institute Ltd. in Zatec have contributed to the magazine with their articles for several of years now. This issue will be no different and the trio of authors from the mentioned research institute wrote and provided an expert article on the Czech hybrid hop, Vital. You will also find a very interesting article by international author Mr. Kane Oka, Ph.D. and collective, from the research department of the Japanese Suntory brewery, regarding the results of brewery tests using Czech hops. Of course, we will not deprive our readers of history and you will find a very interesting article on the hops crisis in the 1930s written by historic Ing. Zdeněk Tempír, CSc. In this year's issue, you will also find the results of the ever-so-prestigious beer tasting at the Hop Research Institute in Zatec and we will also reveal the secret of the experimental mini brewery. We will also introduce the finished second stage of the Temple of hops and beer project and Hop, the "mascot" of the hop museum.

Despite all of the experience of growing hops, each hop year is always different, and Czech growers remain prepared to confront this issue. In the past several years, it spent considerable means on investing into growing technology and planting with direct support from breweries, the country and the EU. Century after century, the Czech Republic produces aromatic hops, known throughout the world, and we are left to hope this tradition will continue.

Last but not least, we would like to thank the Ministry of Agriculture and Hop Growing, and the Chmelarstvi, cooperative Saaz for their financial support necessary in making this publication possible.