The event, held for the first time in Poperinge, brought together 38 breweries and ten hop companies. Vzw Hop, an umbrella association representing 16 hop businesses, collaborated closely with the city to organize this initiative.
During the gathering, Inagro and vzw HOP provided insights into the past hop season and recent developments within the Belgian hop sector. Attendees had the opportunity to discover various Belgian hop varieties and review the inspection results. There was also ample time for exchanging experiences among hop growers, brewers, and other industry professionals.
Hop plays a significant role in Poperinge, deeply embedded in the city's identity. The recent Beer and Hop Festivals attracted 25,000 to 30,000 visitors, and the Hopmuseum welcomes 8,000 to 10,000 visitors annually. Beyond heritage and tourism, the hop sector is also economically vital.
In Belgium, there are 23 productive hop growers, cultivating over 160.81 hectares. Collectively, they produce more than 245,000 kilograms of hops across 38 different varieties. Fifteen of these growers are located in the Westhoek region.
