The characteristic aroma of beer comes from a complex mixture of essential oils also contained within these resinous glands. The New Zealand hop and commercial brewing industries are almost totally reliant on new and improved cultivars developed by HortResearch in Nelson.
Hops are a horticultural crop that is gaining attention as a promising New Zealand export.
Production of hops has increased significantly in recent years from 274 tonnes in 1986 to 760 tonnes in 1994. There are about 300 ha planted in hops, but the number of growers has reduced from the over 100 growers 50 years ago, to just 26. Those who have stuck with the industry are now seeing rewards in increasing demand and prices. Hops must be harvested at a critical stage, so sharing of equipment is not always practical. The predominantly British immigrants in the mid nineteenth century brought hop cultivars from their homeland, and hop plants can be found on the sites of old homesteads throughout New Zealand.