From brewer to brewer, from grower to grower. IGN Service
Many members of our team come from hop farms in the Hallertau and grew up with the hops, their cultivation, and their characteristics. Our team also includes master brewers who are able to contribute their many years of experience working at renowned breweries to foster understanding and to comprehend the perspectives and requirements of our customers.
Benefit from our comprehensive knowledge.
IGN is more than just hops The IGN Service for Breweries
Hops that are 100% Perfect Manual Evaluation of Hops
Hops from different crop years have different characteristics. Therefore, after the harvest, we offer our contract customers the opportunity to select the perfect batch of hops at our location in Niederlauterbach. And in doing so, they can become acquainted with the people behind their hops.
From Brewers, for Brewers Consulting for Brewers & Breweries
Hops, their quality, and the type of hop product all have a major influence on the brewing process, the flavor, and the characteristics of the beer. We work with the best brewers in the world and thus have extensive practical expertise.
Benefit from our knowledge, our experience, and our exceptional aptitude for hops and beer – we would be more than happy to offer guidance.
We offer support, for example, for the following:
- Understanding quality characteristics
and their impact on the brewing process - Switching to new or alternative hop varieties
- Recipe advice (selection, quantity, and timing of hop additions and varieties for different beer styles)
- International brewing knowledge & experience
- Support in developing new special beers (e.g., non-alcoholic beers)
- Expert assessments of hops harvested in different crop years and their aroma characteristics
... and much more.
From Brewers, for Brewers Our Brewing Experts
We are hop growers with heart and soul, cultivating our hops for the world’s best beers. That’s why it’s important for us to thoroughly understand the other side of the business – namely that of the breweries.
Our master brewers are on hand to take care of brewers. With their extensive experience and in-depth knowledge, they bridge the gap between both worlds and are available to provide advice and support.
Building on his training as a Journeyman Brewer and Maltster, Mario Scholz studied Brewing and Beverage Technology at Weihenstephan. He subsequently worked as a brewmaster and as a technical director in various breweries.
He has headed IGN since 2012 – initially together with Georg Breitner, allowing him to gain valuable experience and to acquire extensive expertise in hop cultivation.
After completing his training as a journeyman brewer and maltster, Christoph Goldbrunner worked for the Gräfliches Hofbräuhaus in Freising for 12 years, seven of which as the master brewer.
Today, he brings his extensive knowledge of Bavarian beer and the brewing industry in general to the table at IGN.
Knowledge, exchange of experiences & more The IGN service for hop growers
Quality pays off 100% Bonus
IGN stands for quality and fairness. That's why we reward hops of outstanding quality with a 100%* bonus. Because outstanding hops represent a great deal of commitment, expertise, and passion – and we want to recognize the true value of quality hops through fair compensation.
* Quality assessments are performed by an independent third party
Knowledge Advice on
Cultivating Hops
Which varieties are in demand? How tolerant are they to heat and drought? And what alternatives are there for pesticides?
We support our hop growers with expert advice on all aspects of cultivation – practical and current. We work closely with leading research and consulting institutions such as the Hopfenring and the Society for Hop Research (GfH) in Hüll to transfer and apply scientifically sound findings directly into practice.
Transparency Contact with
Breweries
People who know each other tend to understand each other better. That's why we forge connections between hop growers and breweries.
By connecting partners, we foster the exchange of experiences and facilitate direct dialogue – for greater understanding, trust, and long-term partnerships.
Practical Knowledge Sharing our knowledge & experience
Practical experience is indispensable. That's why we specifically seek and maintain an open dialogue with hop growers. To facilitate direct exchange among interested parties, we organize regular get-togethers, facility tours and other events.
Current Events