100 Years of Hop Research Hüll – Open Day

100 Years of Hop Research in the Hallertau

The Hüll Hop Research Center was founded in 1926 in a small district of the market town of Wolnzach – at that time as a private society with the mission to scientifically support hop cultivation in the Hallertau. One hundred years later, the facility has become one of the most important centers for hop breeding, plant protection, and cultivation technology worldwide. Classics of German hops such as Hallertauer Mittelfrüh, Hallertauer Magnum, Tradition, or Saphir were bred here, along with a series of modern aroma varieties that are now used in craft breweries around the globe.

Open Day on June 21, 2026

The highlight of the anniversary year is the Open Day on Sunday, June 21, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All five research departments – Production Technology, Breeding Research, Plant Protection, Ecology/Biodiversity, and Hop Analytics – are opening their laboratories, greenhouses, and fields. Visitors can learn about current research projects, visit trial fields, and explore hops directly on the plant.

Trial Beers and Festival Tent

A highlight of the day is the festival tent with trial beers brewed from Hüll breeding varieties. This allows guests to experience the character of new hop varieties directly in their glass. Live music accompanies the day, along with prize draws, hands-on activities, and a children's program that explains the world of hops in an age-appropriate way.

Wolnzach – Main Town of the Hallertau

Wolnzach is the most important market town in the Hallertau, the largest contiguous hop-growing region in the world. Over 80 percent of German and about one-third of the world's hops come from this region between Munich and Regensburg. Those visiting the Open Day can also visit the German Hop Museum in Wolnzach (about 5 km away) and thus gain a complete insight into the history and future of "green gold.".

Scientific Symposium June 20–21, 2026

The anniversary program begins on Saturday, June 20, 2026, with a scientific symposium "Milestones and Perspectives" for the hop and brewing industry. On Sunday, the center will open its doors to the general public.