20. August 2026 A Look Back at IGN Hop Day 2026
On August 20, 2026, IGN Quality Hops hosted its traditional IGN Hop Day at the Kiermeier family’s hop farm in Rohrbach. Amid the Hallertau hop-growing region, numerous guests from the brewing and hop industries gathered, including IGN hop growers, brewery representatives, experts, speakers, and other partners from the hop industry.
Professional Exchange and an Important Industry Gathering
The IGN Hop Day is far more than just a trade event. Every year, it offers a unique opportunity to bring together visitors from various sectors of the hop and brewing industries, exchange experiences, and discuss current developments and challenges facing the industry.
This year’s event focused on the developments and challenges of the 2026 hop season. Heat, drought, and their impact on yield and quality presented hop growers with challenges this season.
In addition to the latest developments in the hop year, the varied program offered exciting insights into global hop strategies, climate research, hop breeding, and the use of artificial intelligence in everyday brewery operations.
The personal exchanges between hop growers and breweries were particularly valuable. The numerous participants from the brewing and hop industries made it clear just how great interest is in a strong and sustainable partnership.
A varied program
Of course, there was no shortage of socializing either. The traditional Bavarian reception with white sausage and beer, lively conversations, coffee, and homemade cakes from the IGN hop growers’ wives, as well as a shared snack to wrap up the event, provided numerous opportunities for personal interaction and networking.
It is precisely this combination of professional exchange and a sense of community that reflects IGN’s values: quality, trust, partnership, and treating one another with respect. After all, IGN stands not only for high-quality hops but also for a strong community that shares knowledge and experience and takes joint responsibility for the future of hops.
We would therefore like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Kiermeier family for their wonderful hospitality, as well as to all the speakers, guests, and volunteers who made this day so special. We would also like to thank the Hofbräuhaus Traunstein for the excellent beer and everyone whose support helped make the event a success.
IGN as a link between hop growers and breweries
The IGN Hop Day has once again demonstrated the importance of IGN as a reliable link between hop growers and breweries. As a hop-growing organization, IGN brings together different perspectives, creates opportunities for personal and professional exchange, and fosters collaborative partnerships throughout the entire value chain. After all, a successful future is built when growers and breweries work together—with trust, mutual understanding, and a shared commitment to quality.
IGN Quality Hops - Pioneers of Hops
