Throughout history, hops have played an invaluable role in Swedish culture and economy, not only as a key ingredient in beer making but also for its medicinal properties. Let’s dive into the fascinating history of hop cultivation in Sweden.
Hops (Humulus lupulus) have a long and rich history in Sweden, a history that stretches back thousands of years. Archaeological finds show that hops have been growing wild in the Nordic region since the Stone Age, and the oldest traces of organized hop cultivation in Sweden date back to the Iron Age. Pollen from cultivated hops has been found in Uppland from around 500 BC, which indicates that its value was already recognized then.
Royal Injunctions and Tax on Hops
The importance of hop cultivation was reflected in the legislation. Already in the province laws from the Middle Ages there are regulations on hop cultivation. One of the most famous examples is Magnus Eriksson’s national law from the 1350s, which stipulated that every farmer should establish a hop farm. This underlines the economic and strategic value of hops for the kingdom.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, during the Vasa era, hop cultivation continued to be of great importance. The state recognized that domestic production was essential to avoid imports and ensure access to beer, which was an important part of the people’s diet and a source of tax revenue. Gustav Vasa even introduced a “hop tax” to promote cultivation and bring in money for the treasury.
Until the middle of the 19th century, hop cultivation was widespread throughout Sweden. Almost every farm had its own hop garden (hop farm in Old Swedish), and it was an important part of self-sufficiency. Remnants of these hop farms, with old, robust hop plants, can still be found in many places around the country, as silent witnesses to a bygone era. These cultivated hop varieties are of great interest to researchers and brewers today, as they represent a unique genetic bank with adapted characteristics.
Industrialization and the Decline of Hop Cultivation
With industrialization in the late 1800s and early 1900s, hop cultivation in Sweden began to decline drastically. Several factors contributed to this:
- Increased imports: Cheaper and more efficiently produced hops began to be imported from Germany, the United States and other countries.
- Larger breweries: Larger, industrial breweries emerged and did not have the same need for small-scale, local hop production. They could benefit from large-scale imports.
- Changed farming practices: Agriculture became more specialized, and the focus shifted to other crops.
- The changing nature of beer: New types of beer and brewing methods sometimes reduced the need for large amounts of hops, or required varieties that were not grown in Sweden.
By the middle of the 20th century, commercial hop cultivation in Sweden was almost non-existent, and only a few enthusiasts and home growers kept the tradition alive.
A New Dawn: The Return of Hops cultivation
During the 21st century, however, we have seen a gratifying renaissance for Swedish hop cultivation. With the microbrewery boom and an increased interest in locally produced ingredients and craft beer, hops have once again come into focus. New hop farms are established, and interest in growing Swedish hop varieties, both old and new, is growing steadily.
This new era is not only about producing hops for beer, but also about preserving the unique genetic diversity of Swedish cultured hops. Research is ongoing to map and preserve these old varieties, which have been adapted to the Swedish climate for centuries and can offer unique flavors and aromas.
The history of hop cultivation in Sweden is a story of adaptation, survival and a constant connection to our culture and traditions. From the wild creeper of ancient times to today’s resurrected crop, hops continue to fascinate and enrich us.
Here in Hopvalley in the province that is usually called Sweden’s garden, Blekinge, we grow four different Swedish varieties of hops, Svalöf E, Korsta, Hulla Norrgård and then a local variety called Ysnamåla after the village where it was found.
Written by LarsGöran Boström