OUR HISTORY

Reliable partner of hop growers and the brewing industry since 1953

1953

<h1>Founding of the Hopfenverwertungsgenossenschaft Hallertau e.G.m.b.H. (Hallertau Hop Processing Cooperative)</h1>

1954 – 1968

1954 
Merger of all existing cooperatives (Spalt, Hersbruck, Rottenburg-Herrenberg-Weilderstadt and Rheinpfalz) to form the Genossenschaftliche Hopfenverwertungs-Zentrale m.b.H (“Central Cooperative Hop Processing” – in existence until 1971)
1958 
Opening of a state-of-the-art hop storage warehouse in Mainburg
1968 
Investment in the company Hopstabil GmbH (manufacturer of hop powder)

1973 – 1982

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HVG-ballen

1973 
HVG becomes a producer cooperative as defined by market regulations put forth by the European Economic Community.
1974 
HVG sells more than 2,500 tons of hops for the first time. HVG activities are extended to other hop cultivation regions beyond the Hallertau.
1981 
HVG buys a share of the hop processing plants in St. Johann (Hopfenveredlung St. Johann) and Wolnzach (NATECO2), of which HVG currently holds a 40 % share.
1982 
Founding of the &#8220;HVG Hallertau Beteiligungsgesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung”, a limited-liability holding company, for the purpose of acquiring hop processing businesses. HVG obtains a share of the hop processing company HVG Barth, Raiser GmbH &amp; Co. KG

1999 
Construction of the St. Johann research and pilot brewery, the first of its kind in the hop industry
2000 
One of the first hop trading houses to adopt a quality management system (QMS) and become certified according to DIN EN ISO 9000
2000 – 2001 
Cooperatives from the Hallertau, Elbe-Saale, Jura and Tettnang merge with the HVG Hopfenverwertungsgenossenschaft e. G. cooperative
2003 
HVG moves into the new administration building in the “Haus des Hopfens” in Wolnzach
2006 
HVG acquires the rights to the new hop variety “Herkules”
2008 
Launching of a program to install irrigation systems, enabling hop growers to successfully deliver a crop even in very dry years

1999 – 2008

2010 - 2014

2010 
Engages in the construction of a biogas plant as a joint shareholder; the plant is used to produce biogas from shredded hop vines collected from 4,000 hectares of hop fields
2011 
HVG increases capital investment in the hop processing companies Nateco2 GmbH &amp; Co. KG and Hopfenveredlung GmbH &amp; Co.KG , bringing its share to 40 %
2012 
HVG holds a share of the biogas plant near Wolnzach, which is commissioned and begins producing natural gas from the fermentation of hop plant material for 5,000 households.
2014 
Ms. Gudrun Höfter is the first woman to be elected to the board of the cooperative

<h1>Completion of the new hop extraction plant in St. Johann, the largest of its kind in the world.</h1>

2020

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Franziska Amper

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Barbara Siegmund

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Sabine Spiess

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Wolfgang Ketterer

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Wolfgang Stanglmair

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Kurt Niederwieser

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Carlos Ruiz

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Sabine Ohnesorge

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Dr. Johannes Stampfl

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Dr. Florian Schüll

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Manfred Riedl

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Karl Reisinger

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Dr. Erich Lehmair

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Dr. Johann Pichlmaier

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Jürgen Weishaupt

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Johann Bertazzoni

HVG Zuchtstamm

Amira makes its debut as the premier offering from HVG´s breeding program, addressing climate change and the need for sustainable hop cultivation. This innovative variety blends top-tier brewing quality with exceptional climate tolerance and robust cultivation characteristics, making it the ideal choice for environmentally conscious brewers and growers. With its classic aroma profile, complex bitterness, and a harmonious mix of hoppy and citrusy notes, Amira offers a wide range of possibilities for both traditional lagers and ales.

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Amira

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Tettnanger

Aurum is a very fine aroma variety recently bred by the Hop Research Center in Hüll. It exhibits excellent plant health and a strong agronomic performance. A descendant of the Tettnanger variety, Aurum was approved in 2020. The delicately spicy hop aroma, medium intensity and harmonious bitterness make Tettnanger hops ideally suited for premium-quality pilsner beers. Aurum hops are frequently chosen for the last hop addition in the brewhouse.

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Aurum

3W 42-30-38

Herkules

Ariana is one of the relatively new special flavor varieties developed as part of the flavor hop breeding program at the Hop Research Center in Hüll. Ariana is a daughter of Herkules. It has particularly impressive agronomic properties, including a vigorous growth habit, very robust plant health and high yields. Since its approval in 2016, brewers have had access to this variety, which is perfectly suited for use as an aroma hop in almost every style of beer. A late addition in the brewhouse is possible, but it can serve as a flavor hop on the cold side as well. Particularly distinctive aromas, such as blackcurrant, grapefruit and gooseberry tend to dominate, depending upon the beer style, the amount of hops and the timing of the addition.

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Ariana

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Hallertauer Tradition

Callista is one of the relatively new special flavor varieties developed as part of the flavor hop breeding program at the Hop Research Center in Hüll. Callista is a descendant of the variety Hallertauer Tradition with good agronomic properties, including a strong growth habit, good plant health and excellent yields. With its unique nuances evoking fruit, Callista is particularly suitable for ales and heavily dry-hopped beers such as IPAs. Due to its low cohumulone content, Callista imparts an extremely mild, balanced bitterness with a pronounced hoppy aroma profile when added in the brewhouse. On the cold side of production, it imbues the beer with aromas of passionfruit, peaches and sweet berries, depending upon the beer style, the amount of hops and the timing of the addition.

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Spalter

Diamant is a new premium aroma variety developed by the Hop Research Center in Hüll and was approved in 2020. Diamant is the daughter of the landrace variety Schalter. With an exceptional aroma, higher yield and a lower susceptibility to disease, it represents a superb alternative to Schalter or Saaz hops. Diamant is particularly suitable for every kind of lager beer because of its fresh, hoppy aroma profile. Depending upon the time of the addition in the brewing process, its high aroma potential can result in a pronounced, lightly floral and citrus note or in a subtle, pleasantly mild hop aroma.

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The patented US variety Amarillo® VGXP01 from Virgil Gamache Farms (VGF) enriches the spectrum of special flavor hop varieties. Within just a few years, it has become one of the most successful hop varieties in the craft beer segment. The origins of this variety can be traced back to the early 1990s, to one of the large hop-growing regions in the United States, namely Washington State, in the northwestern part of the country. Amarillo® hops are characterized by their strong fruit and citrus aromas. When used for dry hopping, this hop imparts aromas reminiscent of stone fruit, orange and lemon to the beer, depending upon the beer style, the amount of hops and the timing of the addition. Together with HVG, Virgil Gamache Farms decided to cultivate Amarillo® in three hop growing regions in Germany, in order to satisfy the ongoing increase in demand. In-house as well as independent commercial brewing trials have demonstrated that German Amarillo® hops are equal in quality to US Amarillo® hops. More and more brewers are expressing interest in brewing with this hop due to its distinctive aroma profile.

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German Amarillo®

O.P.

USDA 19124

Cascade was developed by the USDA breeding program in Oregon in 1972. Cascade is a classic American flavor variety. Its special aroma characteristics make it extremely popular with craft brewers. This variety has also been grown in the Hallertau since 2012, and it is currently being cultivated on approximately 78 ha. Due to its pronounced fruity and citrus-like aromas, Cascade has gained a reputation for being the "quintessential" variety for dry hopping. In-house brewing trials have shown that Hallertau Cascade hops are equal in quality to US Cascade hops.

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German Cascade

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Cascade

Hallertau Blanc is one of the special flavor varieties developed as part of the flavor hop breeding program at the Hop Research Center in Hüll. This variety was bred to meet the needs of craft brewers. Hallertau Blanc is a daughter of the American variety Cascade and exhibits improved resistance to disease and higher yields. It is a popular variety for brewing highly hopped beers such as IPAs and the numerous other variations on this style of beer. This flavor hop creates a strong impression with its intense hop aroma consisting of fruity, citrus and vinous notes. Hallertau Blanc offers an inviting aroma profile, which can evoke passionfruit, mango or grapefruit, depending upon the beer style, the amount of hops and the timing of the addition.

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Galena

Hallertauer Magnum was developed by the Hop Research Center in Hüll. It exhibits both a high yield and a vigorous growth habit. This high alpha variety is the daughter of US Galena and was approved in 1993. Due to its high bittering power, Hallertauer Magnum has quickly gained in importance and, as such, is primarily added at the beginning of the boil in the brewhouse. Beers brewed with Magnum exhibit a harmonious bitterness of medium intensity along with a slightly floral and spicy, herbal hop aroma.

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Landsorte 

Hallertauer Mittelfrüh is an aroma variety. A traditional landrace, its origins lie in the world's largest hop growing region, the Hallertau. Many brewers value Hallertauer Mittelfrüh for its fine, classic hop aroma profile. It is primarily used to brew conventional Bavarian-style lagers. Hallertauer Mittelfrüh is a popular aroma variety despite its variable yields and strong susceptibility to wilt. This hop variety has been added to brew kettles for centuries.

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Hallertauer Taurus was developed at the Hop Research Center in Hüll. It has a very high alpha-acid content. This high alpha hop was approved in 1995. Hallertauer Taurus is mainly used for bittering and is thus added at the beginning of the boil in the brewhouse. However, due to its high linalool content, this hop has also proven its value for dry hopping. Hallertauer Taurus hops give beer a harmonious, yet less pronounced bitterness. The aroma is subtle and uniform while spicy hop notes are evident in the flavor.

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Hallertauer Taurus

Landrace

Hallertauer Tradition was developed by the Hop Research Center in Hüll, Germany. It was approved in 1993 as an aroma hop variety. This hop variety exhibits good plant health and excellent agronomic properties. In terms of growing area, Hallertauer Tradition is the third largest hop variety planted in Germany. As its name suggests, this aroma hop is used to brew traditional European beer styles. Its aroma is complex, striking a balance between classic spicy hop notes and floral impressions.

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Hallertau Taurus

Herkules is a high alpha variety developed by the Hop Research Center in Hüll. It was approved as a variety in 2006. In just a few years, Herkules has become well-established on the international market as more than a mere bitter variety. Agronomically, in terms of its yield and bitter potential, it possesses considerable advantages but is also notable for its outstanding brewing traits. Herkules hops make up the largest share of hops grown in Germany by area, amounting to approximately 6,720 ha (in 2020). It is also the most cultivated hop worldwide. Herkules is primarily used to produce bitterness and is therefore added at the beginning of the boil in the brewhouse. It lends beer a harmonious bitterness without being excessive. In good crop years, Herkules can also possess intensely spicy hop and fruity notes.

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Hersbrucker is a vigorous and robust landrace variety which originated in the Hersbrucker Alb in Franconia. A significant area has now been devoted to the cultivation of this variety in Spalt and in the Hallertau. Hersbrucker delivers excellent results in bottom-fermented beers, whether they are lightly or more strongly hopped. Under good cultivation conditions, Hersbrucker hops can lend a more floral and fruitier note to the beer compared to other landrace varieties, such as Hallertauer Mittelfrüh.

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Hersbrucker Spät

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Huell Melon is one of the special flavor varieties developed as part of the flavor hop breeding program at the Hop Research Center in Hüll. This variety was bred with the needs of craft brewers in mind. Huell Melon is a daughter of the American Cascade variety and exhibits improved resistance to disease with higher yields. It is a popular variety for brewing highly hopped beers such as IPAs and the numerous other variations on this style of beer. This flavor variety creates a strong impression with its intensely fruity hop aroma. Aroma descriptors for Huell Melon include honeydew melon, apricot and strawberry, depending upon the beer style, the amount of hops and the timing of the addition.

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Mandarina Bavaria is one of the special flavor varieties developed as part of the flavor hop breeding program at the Hop Research Center in Hüll. This variety was bred specifically in response to the demand for flavor hops by the craft brewing industry. The American variety Cascade was specially crossed with breeding lines from Hüll to create Mandarina Bavaria. Since 2012, Mandarina Bavaria has increased the range of fine aromas available to brewers who are committed to tradition, yet are open to innovation, as well as to craft brewers who are keen to experiment with an expanded palette of aromas and flavors. These extraordinary aromas are inspiring in every form: from the smell of the fresh hops through to their usage in the brewing process and down to their unmistakable impression in the finished beer. Fruity, citrus and also floral aroma impressions unfold in late additions of this variety, either in the whirlpool or through dry hopping on the cold side. As the name suggests, this variety exhibits an especially intense tangerine note.

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OB 21

Canterbury Golding

Northern Brewer was bred in the UK in 1934. The commercial importance of Northern Brewer among growers has declined sharply in recent years due to problems with plant health and the development of more productive new varieties. Nevertheless, this bitter variety is still used in the production of bottom-fermented beers where it is primarily added at the beginning and midpoint of wort boiling. The bitterness of beer brewed with Northern Brewer is balanced, with a medium level of intensity. The profile of Northern Brewer tends to exhibit more spicy hop notes in both aroma and flavor.

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Northern Brewer

63015M

USDA 65009

Nugget is an American bitter hop variety with a very vigorous growth habit. This high alpha variety is related to Brewers Gold and was approved in 1982. Favored for its strong, yet harmonious bitterness, many craft brewers use Nugget as the base bittering hop in pale ales, American pale ales and India pale ales. On the whole, the aroma leans more towards the spicy end of the spectrum, but it also exhibits floral and fruity notes.

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Hallertau Gold

Opal is an aroma variety developed by the Hop Research Center in Hüll. It possesses good agronomic traits. This aroma hop is related to Hallertauer Gold and was approved in 2001. Brewing trials have confirmed that Opal is nicely suited for the production of bottom-fermented beers as well as Weissbier, i.e. Southern Bavarian wheat beers. Opal imparts a harmonious bitterness of a medium intensity to beer. In beer brewed with this variety, the hop aromas seem to unfold all at once, almost as a single multifaceted impression. The citrus note is somewhat less dominant in the flavor.

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