Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Humulus is a small genus of flowering plants native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Hops are the female flowers (seed cones, strobiles) of the species Humulus lupulus that are used as flavouring and preservative agents in beer production. There are many hop varieties grown in North America; each variety contributes unique flavour and aroma profiles in beer, and have different advantages and disadvantages growing in local environments. These flavour and aroma compounds can also be influenced by the local environment, or terroir, of a region. As such, there is a need for hop growers to evaluate the performance of hop varieties being grown in different growing regions in British Columbia. The Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) Bio-Innovation Lab will use its expertise to provide genetic and metabolomic support to Copper Dome Enterprises Ltd. (operator of Myrtle Meadows Hop Farm), in the Pemberton Valley, to assess the hop cultivars being grown in their unique growing region. The KPU Bio-Innovation Lab will use genetic tools to confirm the genotypes of the hop varieties being grown. Moreover, this project will use advanced chromatography techniques to quantify the molecules which impart specific flavour and aromas in the final hop product. The results will be an important differentiator for hops grown in the Pemberton Valley and will be used by Copper Dome, to improve their hop production practices and to increase the diversity of terrior driven flavour and aroma options for brewers.