India is no stranger to ancient brewing traditions, but a new chapter has just begun, one that blends passion, precision, and education. Brewnation is a leading firm in the craft beer and brewing industry, specializing in high-quality raw materials and end-to-end support to breweries since 2016. Brewnation partners with top global suppliers to ensure brewers in India and beyond get access to premium ingredients tailored to their unique brewing goals. This year, the country hosted its inaugural Hop and Brew School event, a pioneering initiative designed to shape the future of craft beer through immersive learning and collaboration. Initiated and hosted by our very own Brewnation, this unique gathering brought together aspiring brewers, enthusiasts, and professionals under one roof to learn, taste, and craft the next wave of India’s brewing excellence.
The Hop and Brew School event was held in the vibrant city of Bangalore, India’s undisputed craft beer capital, at the renowned Biergarten Bellandur, known for its dynamic atmosphere and strong ties to the brewing community. Internationally recognized experts Maria and Jack from Yakima chief Hops took the stage as speakers, offering invaluable insights into hop cultivation, flavor profiling, and the nuances of hop varieties. Throughout the event, participants were treated to immersive sessions led by Yakima chief experts, which included the Crop 2024 Harvest update, "More than a Box Hops," Choosing the Right Advanced Hop Products for Your Brewing Needs, and expert-led sensory Hop analysis. It was not only a learning experience but also a celebration of craft beer culture, fostering a deeper connection between brewers and enthusiasts.
A key highlight was the engaging beer panel, which included Ankit Sethi, Lalit Vijay, Prateek Kansara, Maria Skalli, Gautam Gandhi and Martin Bernard, where they discussed trends, challenges, and the future of India’s rapidly growing craft beer industry. The event also marked the exciting launch of India’s first Dynaboost beer, a groundbreaking brew crafted with advanced brewing techniques and ingredients to elevate both flavor and innovation. It was brewed by our very own venue partner, Biergarten, with the help of Master Brewer Lalit Vijay. It was not just an educational experience but a celebration of the craft beer culture, providing a space for collaboration and new ideas.
From in-depth sessions and panel debates to the launch of India’s first Dynaboost beer, the Hop and Brew School proved that the country is ready to tap into its brewing potential like never before. It wasn’t just about pouring pints, it was about pouring knowledge, passion, and vision into every glass. As this community of brewers and enthusiasts continues to grow, one thing is certain: this is only the beginning of India’s next great beer revolution.
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As India’s craft beer community embraces education, collaboration, and innovation, events like the Hop and Brew School signal a new era of knowledge-sharing and growth. It’s clear that the future of brewing here is not just about what’s poured into the glass, but the expertise and passion poured into every step behind it.
To take you deeper inside this landmark event, here’s an exclusive conversation that sheds more light on its vision, insights, and what’s brewing next for India’s craft beer scene.
What was the core vision behind initiating India’s first Hop and Brew School event, and how does Brewnation plan to build on this foundation in the coming years?
The core vision behind initiating India’s first Hop and Brew School event was to educate, inspire, and elevate the Indian brewing community by fostering a deeper understanding of hops, brewing techniques, and global quality standards with guidance of international experts from Yakima Chief Hops.
Brewnation, as a leading supplier of brewing ingredients and equipment in India, saw this event as a strategic move to cultivate a more informed and innovative brewing culture.
The event featured international experts Maria Skalli and Jack from Yakima Chief Hops. Could you share more about the specific insights or techniques they introduced that resonated most with the Indian brewing community?
The presence of international experts Maria Skalli and Jack from Yakima Chief Hops added tremendous value to the Hop and Brew School. Their sessions offered a global perspective on hop science and brewing innovation, and several of their insights deeply resonated with both new and experienced brewers in attendance.
- Maria and Jack shared in-depth knowledge about the hop harvest process from cultivation to processing. They explained how factors such as the timing of harvest and curing methods significantly influence the oil profile and potency of hops.
Attendees gained a clearer understanding of how freshness, terroir, and harvest precision can affect the final flavor and aroma in beer. This was especially relevant for Indian brewers who rely on imported hops and often lack direct exposure to the harvest process. - Maria and Jack introduced cutting-edge methods for optimizing hop aroma and flavour extraction, including:
- Split dry hopping for better control over bitterness and aroma layering
- Proper timing and temperature management for late hopping to maximize essential oil retention
- Maria and Jack led engaging sensory sessions that taught brewers how to evaluate hops based on aroma, oil content, and freshness, providing a framework for better ingredient selection aligned with specific beer styles.
The sensory hop analysis session seemed to be a unique highlight. How did participants respond to this hands-on experience, and what were some key takeaways from the Crop 2024 Harvest update and advanced hop product selection sessions?
The sensory hop analysis session was indeed one of the standout experiences at Hop and Brew School. Many participants described the experience as eye-opening. For some, it was their first time evaluating hops up close, while for others, it was a chance to refine their sensory skills. The room was filled with the unmistakable aroma of freshly processed hops as attendees rubbed, sniffed, and discussed notes ranging from citrus and tropical fruit to pine, spice, and diesel.
Brewers appreciated the interactive format, which encouraged open dialogue with experts like Maria Skalli and Jack from Yakima Chief Hops, making the science behind hop aromas and oils feel more accessible and directly applicable to their brewing practices.
Maria Skalli and Jack from Yakima Chief Hops provided a focus on hop selection, they introduced new variety of CRYO hops which are
- 50% less weight
- Reduction in packaging & storage space
- Reduction in energy needed for cold storage
- Reduced effluent discharge
- Good solution to reduce hop creep formation
The beer panel had some well-known names in the Indian craft brewing industry. What were some of the most significant trends or challenges discussed during the panel, and how do you see the industry evolving over the next few years?
The beer panel consisted of Ankit Sethi, Pratik Kansara, Gautam Gandhi, Maria Skalli, Lalit Vijay and Martin Bernard at Hop and Brew School brought together some of the most respected names in India’s craft brewing industry, sparking a dynamic exchange on trends, innovation, and challenges shaping the future of Indian craft beer.
Innovation Through Collaboration – The Launch of Dynaboost
A major highlight of the event was the launch of India’s first Dynaboost beer, which exemplified innovation and technical mastery. Dynaboost is not only a functional and flavour-forward hop it is also 10X more powerful than traditional hop pellets, delivering an intense and concentrated hop punch.
Hop Flavor and Development
The panel emphasized the evolving role of hops in modern Indian craft beers. Advanced techniques like late hopping and multi-stage dry hopping are becoming more common, especially in IPAs and experimental brews. Dynaboost's development focused heavily on extracting maximum aroma and flavour, showing how hops can be pushed to their limits without compromising balance.
India’s first Dynaboost beer was launched at the event. What inspired this brew, and how do the ingredients and techniques used reflect innovation in the Indian craft beer space?
India’s first Dynaboost beer, launched at Hop and Brew School, stands as a landmark in the Indian craft beer space not just for its innovative profile, but for the people behind it. This unique brew was made a reality through the vision and collaboration of Mr Lalit Vijay from Biergarten with the assistance of Brewnation supplies with Viking Malt, Fermentis yeast and Yakima chief hops, who were deeply inspired by the idea of pushing boundaries in flavour, functionality, and brewing science
The introduction of Dynaboost beer at a prominent event like Hop and Brew School underscores the industry's commitment to innovation and the exploration of new brewing frontiers. As the Indian craft beer scene continues to evolve, such initiatives are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping its future trajectory.
What was the overall response from the participants—both enthusiasts and professionals—and how do you envision future editions of Hop and Brew School becoming a platform for long-term collaboration and skill development in India’s brewing ecosystem?
The overall response from participants, both enthusiasts and professionals, to Hop and Brew School was overwhelmingly positive. Enthusiasts appreciated the rare opportunity to engage directly with industry experts and gain hands-on insights into the brewing process. For professionals, the event served as a dynamic platform for advanced learning, networking, and exchanging best practices. Many highlighted the value of technical sessions, live demonstrations, and exposure to cutting-edge ingredients and techniques. Moreover, Biergarten was our Venue and F&B partner. They managed the whole event fabulously with finger-licking food throughout the day along with their bestselling beers on tap exclusively for this event.
Looking ahead, Hop and Brew School is poised to evolve into a cornerstone for long-term collaboration and skill development within India’s brewing ecosystem. Future editions can serve as incubators for innovation, offering specialized modules, collaborative projects, and mentorship opportunities. By fostering strong connections between brewers, suppliers, educators, and enthusiasts, the platform can help standardize quality, promote sustainability, and support the professionalization of brewing in India. Ultimately, it has the potential to become a driving force behind the growth and global competitiveness of India’s craft beer movement.
