Ian McHarg is the Herald of Hops; the Leader of Lupulin at Country Malt Group. With over 100 years of combined brewery and brewing experience as well as 11 warehouses across North America, the group is committed to providing a wide range of quality ingredients and excellent service throughout the craft beverage industry.

Ian joins me today to discuss the State of Brew-Union and share his analysis of the Hops Report. He explains why European hop harvest yields are low for 2019 while those in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly the United States, are above average. We also discuss why now is the time for brewers to consider contracting their hops to external producers as well as the Han Solo of Hops - a.k.a. Cryogenic hops - and the cryogenic process of separating noble hops from the lupulin.

This week on Consuming the Craft:

●     Why malt is the backbone of craft beer.

●     The state of hop harvest yields in the United States.

●     The state of the European hop harvest and what caused the decrease in yields.

●     What is force majeure and should brewers expect it from European hop producers?

●     Why Ian encourages brewers to contract their hops for 2019 - and what that entails.

●     How the source of your water impacts the taste of your product.

●     Hopped vodka and the interesting “experience” of tasting it.

●     The balancing act involved in creating hopped vodka.

●     Cryo hops, noble hops, and the cryogenic process.