2025 Competition Details
It is time for Michigan hop growers to send in your samples for the 2025 Chinook Cup competition. New this year…the competition is open to both HGM members and non-members who grow > 2 acre of hops.
Bell’s Brewery has once again generously volunteered to assist Hop Growers of Michigan with the event by collecting the samples at their facility. One sample is allowed per participating entity. The sample should be one (1) pound of hops grown during the 2024 growing season. The sample can be either a “Brewers Cut” from a compressed bale of hop cones or loose fill cones in a sealed bag of your choosing which protects the contents from air and light. A certificate of analysis (COA) from an accredited laboratory documenting Alpha and Beta Acids, Total Oils and Hop Storage Index (either ASBC-12 or 14) for the post-harvest hops represented in the sample should be included with the submission.
Once received, hop samples will be stored in a secure location. Samples will be transported to the Michigan Great Beer State Conference and Trade show prior to the judging.
All samples will be assigned a random control number for the competition and submissions will be blindly judged by a panel of experienced brewers. Winners for the Chinook Cup will be determined based on appearance, aroma, and hop analysis. Awards will be presented during the Thursday night conference reception.
Entry Fees
The entry fee to cover trophies and other expenses related to the competition will be $20 for HGM members and $100 for non-members. Checks should be made payable to Hop Growers of Michigan.
Hops need to be received at the Bell’s facility by December 15, 2024.
The sample, COA and submission fee should be sent to:
Attn: Bonnie Steinman/Chinook Cup
Bell’s Brewery
8938 Krum Avenue
Galesburg, MI 49053
Have Questions? Send us a message for more information!
About the Trophy
The Chinook Cup Trophy was commissioned by the HGM board in 2017 with award-winning bronze wildlife art sculptor Roger Smith from Michigan Art Castings in Leslie, MI., and award-winning botanical artist Gary Mulnix DDS in Mason, MI. The hand-sculpted hop cone is coated in bronze. Plaques denoting the past winners adhere to the base of the trophy as it travels from winner farm to winner farm year after year.
Each year, Chinook Cup ceramics are gifted to the top three in each division. These too are crafted by local Michigan artisans.
The Chinook Cup Logo was designed by Nicole Johnson. It incorporates elements of the Hop Growers of Michigan icon as well as the Chinook Cup traveling trophy. Nicole is a local Michigan designer, perpetual green thumb, and member of the Ada-based family farm Egypt Valley Hopyards.