And when hops are harvested each fall in Germany's Hallertau region — the world’s largest hops-growing area that's about an hour north of Oktoberfest — for every 1 kilogram (2.2 lbs.) ...

Good weather helped buoy the 2024 hops crop in Germany, which brought in 46,536 tonnes. The vast majority - about 41,000 tonnes - was grown in Bavarian hops-growing strongholds of Hallertau and Spalt.

Nowhere did lighter beers take off more than in Central Europe – particularly in the regions that are now in Czechia, Slovakia and Germany – where lager was invented. The hops grown here ...