HERITAGE

Spanish Hop Tradition

A bit of history

During the first half of the 20th century the Spanish Civil War and the II World War made it difficult for the Spanish breweries to import German hops.

An investigation into medicinal plants found wild hops in abundance on the banks of several rivers in León (northwest Spain). Thus began the history of hops as the ‘green gold of Leon’

The Society for the promotion of Hops was founded in 1945.

Present day

Today León produces 1,000 tonnes of hops per year.

Many of the farms belong to families who have been dedicated to hops for four generations. Even today the harvest is a moment that brings grandparents and grandchildren together.

The revival of the craft movement has made these farmers aware of their place in the craft beer industry and they want to participate in the process, working side by side with the brewer.