U.S. hop production is expected to reach 104 million pounds this year, an increase of 2% over 2022, but a step back from the crop’s peak, according to USDA and industry data.

According to Hop Growers of America, the 2021 crop was a record 116.5 million pounds.

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Due in part to poor weather, the industry experienced a decline of 12% to 102.2 million pounds in 2022.

This year, early varieties were hampered by lower temperatures and then a burst of heat, said Michelle Palacios, Oregon Hop Commission administrator.

Other factors also have impacted hops.

Palacios said 99% of the hop harvest goes to making beer, but, according to the U.S. Brewers Association, beer sales dropped 3.1% in 2022 due to the growing popularity of other products.

According to the USDA, the 55,000 acres of hops for 2023 is a drop of 8%.

“Growers aren’t comfortable growing hops unless they have a contract, so that’s driving the acreage correction,” Palacios said.

Nevertheless, the United States — and specifically the Pacific Northwest — will remain the largest hop producer in the world, she added.

This year’s harvest could be buoyed by an anticipated yield of 1,886 pounds per acre, 192 pounds higher than in 2022, according to the USDA.

Regardless of any adjustments, the hops industry looks strong compared to recent decades.

In 2013, the United States had about 35,000 acres of hops, according to Hop Growers of America. Growers reached 50,000 acres in 2016 and surpassed 60,000 acres in 2021.

The Northwest produced more than 99% of the country’s hops in 2022, according to a Hop Growers of America 2022 statistical report.

Washington led the way with 71% of production, followed by Idaho with 16% and Oregon with 13%.

For the fifth year in a row, Citra, which gives beer citrus notes, was the top variety grown by acreage in 2022, followed by Mosaic and Cascade.

Cascade, which was developed by an Oregon State University researcher and helped spawn the craft beer movement, was the most grown variety in 2017.

Citra and Mosaic are relative newcomers compared to Cascade. Both were created by the Hops Breeding Co. of Yakima, Wash. Citra was released in 2007 and Mosaic in 2012.

Just 10 years ago, the Pacific Northwest grew about 50% aroma and dual purpose hops such as Citra, Mosaic and Cascade, and 50% “high alpha” hops, which impart bitterness and are typically processed into extract for export.

Last year, aroma and dual purpose hops represented 82% of acreage. Citra by itself was more than all alpha varieties, according to the Hop Growers of America report.

Alpha acreage is expected to rebound in 2023 due in part to hop farming problems in Germany.

“There could be a shift, but I don’t see that returning to 50-50 in the near future,” Palacios said.

While Citra and Mosaic account for much of the acreage lost in the Pacific Northwest, they likely will remain prominent forces for years to come, she added.