There is interest among many craft brewers in the state and region to source locally grown ingredients for beer making. The cultivation of New Jersey State produced ingredients, like malted barley and hops could provide opportunities for farmers. Has the thought of producing ingredients for the craft brewing industry crossed your mind? Have you ever wondered what the brewers are looking for with respect to varieties and quality? Would you like to know what is involved in producing hops and malting barley for market? Craft brewers, hop growers and grain farmers are encouraged to attend the Farm Brewery sessions (AM and PM sessions) at the 2017 NJ Agricultural Convention & Trade Show at Harrah’s Resort Hotel Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Tuesday February 7, 2017.

Topics to be covered at this day-long event include:

·         Production and Processing Realities of Producing Hops

·         Quality Considerations for Malting Grains and Hops

·         Status of the Craft Brewing Industry in NJ

·         Farm Brewery Opportunities

Speakers will include Steve Miller, Hops Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension in New York, Jeremy Lees, Brewer and Owner of Flounder Brewing Company; Brett Bullock, Brewer and Owner of Screamin Hill Brewery, Bill Bamka, Field and Forage Crops Agent – Rutgers NJ Agricultural Experiment Station, Cooperative Extension, and Steven Komar, Agricultural Agent with Rutgers NJ Agricultural Experiment Station, Cooperative Extension. Associated industry stakeholders are also encouraged to attend as the event will be a great opportunity to network with others interested in the brewing industry.

For more information, registration materials, and program for the 2017 NJ Agricultural Convention and Trade show visit https://njveggies.org/convention.htm. For more information on the brewing crops sessions email Bill Bamka at bamka@njaes.rutgers.edu.