Drought vs Draught: Dry summer takes toll on Czech hop crop

“The cone won’t grow, and actually the whole plant itself goes into shock from the dry weather and from the unnecessary high temperatures,” he said. (File Photo By LuckyStarr/Wikimedia, CC BY 2.5)

ROCOV, Czech Republic — A drought in central Europe this summer could inspire beer drinkers to savour their favourite lagers and pilsners even more: production of the prized hops that give Bohemian-style brews their distinctive flavours is down 30 per cent or more in the Czech Republic.

At first glance, nothing appears unusual about the harvest underway in the Zatec region, where hop-growing dates back a millennium. The bitter-tasting Saaz hops that come from there are a key ingredient in Czech beers and sold internationally.

Labourers pull down the vines winding several meters up wires. The rows of greenery form lush tunnels in the fields, but an experienced eye would notice that the flowering cones on the vines are smaller and sparser than desired.

Fritz Josef, who owns 280 hectares (692 acres) of hops, says his yield is down by half this year. High temperatures and scarce rain that started in April persisted through the summer, while August was especially dry.

“The cone won’t grow, and actually the whole plant itself goes into shock from the dry weather and from the unnecessary high temperatures,” he said.

Josef’s hop cones, while underdeveloped, do have adequate bitterness so they can be sold at market. Because he sells his crop at a price fixed years before, he expects to record a loss in 2018, though may be eligible for government subsidies to make up some of it.

Michal Kovarik, secretary of Czech Hop Growers Union, said that despite the “catastrophic” year for farmers, brewers should have enough hops already on hand to keep making beer without affecting consumer prices.

Annual rainfall in the Czech Republic was down 28 per cent through the end of July compared to the 30-year average, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute.