Beer News: Smuttynose and Harpoon Brewing Merge / US Hop Production Declines In 2024

, Beer News: Smuttynose and Harpoon Brewing Merge / US Hop Production Declines In 2024

(Courtesy Markus Spiske / Unsplash)

The beer biz never sleeps at American Craft Beer. And here’s just some of what’s been happening in the beer world while you were enjoying the weekend.

US Hop Production Declines

The US produced less hops in 2024, but that news might not be nearly as concerning as it sounds.

The National Hop Report from the USDA,  released at the end of last year, did show a significant decline in US hop production. But those declines were intentional and an adjustment to over-production that had led to a surplus in 2023.

Here’s some key points from the year-end report…

  • Production for the United States in 2024 totaled 87.1 million pounds, down 16 percent from the 2023 crop of 104 million pounds.
  • Area harvested for the United States in 2024 totaled 44,793 acres, down 18 percent from the previous year.
  • Harvested acreage decreased in all states.
  • The United States hop yield, at 1,944 pounds per acre, was up 29 pounds from a year ago.
  • The 2024 production value for the United States totaled $446 million, down 21 percent from the previous year.

Most Popular Hop Varieties in Pacific Northwest – 2024

  • Citra 4,906 acres.
  • CTZ 4,627 acres.
  • Simcoe 2,873 acres.
  • Mosaic 2,459 acres.
  • HBC682 2,429 acres (A popular but still-unnamed variety.
  • Cascade 2,271 acres.
  • Centennial 2,026 acres.

 

Words to Drink By

“Vegetarians, and their Hezbollah-like splinter faction, the vegans … are the enemy of everything good and decent in the human spirit.”– American celebrity chef, author, and travel documentarian

 

, Beer News: Smuttynose and Harpoon Brewing Merge / US Hop Production Declines In 2024

(Courtesy Smuttynose Brewing)

Smuttynose and Harpoon Brewing Merge

2025 got off to a bang with the announcement  that new Hampshire-based Smuttynose Brewing and Boston’s Harpoon Brewery have merged, forming a new company called “Barrel One Collective” under the parent companies Finestkind Brewing (Smuttynose) and Mass. Bay Brewing (Harpoon), respectively; essentially combining two of the largest craft breweries in New England under one umbrella.

The Collective will house 14 total brands, operate eight brewery-taprooms across four states (MA, NH, NY, VT) and have a combined production volume of nearly 165,000 barrels, positioning it as the largest craft producer in New England and 14th largest in the country according to Brewer’s Association 2023 Production Data.

“FinestKind Brewing is a fellow Northeast craft trailblazer that shares our passion for brewing excellence, innovation, and creating quality brews our communities can be proud of,” said Dan Kenary, co-founder and CEO of Mass Bay Brewing Co., in a prepared statement. “With a combined 75 years of craft brewing expertise, this merger represents our commitment to setting these companies on an exciting growth trajectory and continuing to bring the very best products to our fervent customer base.”

This merger reflects a national trend of bringing craft brands together under unified platforms to best compete in the current market. “This merger is about much more than just growth,” confirmed Dan Kenary, who will also serve as Chief Executive Officer of the new company. “It’s about honoring our legacy while writing an exciting next chapter for our companies and the Northeast craft beer industry at large.”

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