Ontario Hop Growers' Association The OHGA is a not-for-profit association of hop growers, families and enthusiasts who are interested in supporting the growth of the hop industry in Ontario.
Seventeen Ontario brewer/grower teams are set to square off Wednesday Feb. 22, 2017 for the 5th annual Great Ontario Hopped Craft Beer Competition at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention in Niagara Falls, ON.
Team’s are trying to determine who can make the best, most representative Belgian IPA using Ontario hops to win bragging rights, and the covetted “Bottomless Cup: trophy. Some of the brewers involved in this years event include: Beau’s All Natural Brewing, Wellington Brewery, Trafalgar Brewing, Brock Street Brewing and of course OHGA’s own Michael Duggan, Duggan’s Brewery Parkdale – to name but a few. The complete list of entries below.
After more than a century, hops are making a comeback in Ontario agriculture. In 2012, the Ontario Hop Grower’s Association was launched to serve as a non-profit association of organic and conventional growers in Ontario.
Our mandate includes acting as a central voice and advocacy group for the industry; promoting hop-growing fundamentals through education, research, promotion, and marketing; and setting up a database of relevant growing and management information specifically for Ontario. Microbreweries are interested in using local hops to create unique brews, such as harvest ales.
This years’ contestants include:
- Duggan’s Brewery Parkdale and Heritage Hill Hop Yard & Nursery
- Block Three Brewing Co. and Hayhoe Hops
- Muddy York Brewing Co. and VQH Farms
- Brock Street Brewing and VQH Farms
- Four Fathers Brewing Company Ltd. and Elora Hopyards
- Trafalgar Brewery and King Lake Farms Inc.
- Wellington Brewery and Hayhoe Hops
- New Limburg Brewing Company Ltd. and Hayhoe Hops & King Lake Farms Inc.
- William Street Beer Co. Ltd. and Bickle Farm – Valley Hops
- Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company and Old 4th Hopyard
- Upper Thames Brewing Company and The Tavistock Hop Company
- The Blue Elephant Inc. and Carolinian Hopyard
- London Brewing Cooperative and Carolinian Hopyard
- Manitoulin Brewing Company and Dornoch Hops Ltd.
- Mash Paddle Brewing Co. and Clear Valley Hops
- Elora Brewing Company and Harvest Hop & Malt
- Walkerville Brewery and Hayhoe Hops & King Lake Farms & VQH Farms
Previous GOHCBC Beer Styles & Winners
2016
Beer Style: American Amber Ale
1st Place: The Exchange Brewery & Clear Valley Hops
2nd Place (Tie):Trafalgar Ales and Meads & King Lake Farms
2nd Place (Tie):Abe Erb Brewing Co. & Tavistock Hop Company
Honourable Mention: Brock Street Brewing & Clear Valley Hops
2015
Beer Style: Robust Porter
1ST PLACE: THE OLDE STONE BREWING COMPANY & SLOW ACRES ORGANICS
2ND PLACE: GARDEN BREWERS & BUTTRUM’S FAMILY FARM
3RD PLACE: NICK BOBAS (STUDENT, NC TEACHING BREWERY) & CLEAR VALLEY HOPS
2014
Beer Style: Brown Ale
1ST PLACE: THE BLUE ELEPHANT & CAROLINIAN HOP YARD
2ND PLACE: GET WELL BREWING & NATION HOPS
3RD PLACE: THE OLDE STONE BREWING COMPANY & SLOW ACRES ORGANICS
2013
Beer Style: American IPA
1ST PLACE: DUGGAN’S BREWERY & HERITAGE HILL ORGANICS
2ND PLACE: BLACK CREEK HISTORIC BREWERY & SOUTH COAST HOPS
3RD PLACE: STEAM WHISTLE BREWERY & MEADOWSWEET FARM
