The competition is held in the category of bottom-fermented beer.
The beer style of individual entries is not limited; however, a condition is the use of at least 50% by weight of the hop varieties Saaz Shine and/or Saaz Comfort, or a combination of both. Any additional hopping may use only Czech hop varieties. For dry hopping, including whirlpool hopping, only the Saaz Shine and Saaz Comfort varieties may be used.
The beers will be evaluated by blind tasting and judged by an expert jury composed of representatives of participating breweries and specialists from the hop-growing and brewing fields. The evaluation format will depend on the number of submitted samples.
The main criteria will be pleasant and balanced flavor, aroma, bitterness, mouthfeel, and the overall preference of the evaluated beer.
Entry to the competition is free of charge.
1st place:
Joint pilot brew according to the winner’s specification in the CHI experimental brewery
2nd place:
Czech hops donated by Bohemia Hop.
3rd place:
Czech hops donated by Bohemia Hop.
Applications deadline: February 28, 2026
Send applications to:
Beer sample submission deadline: by April 2, 2026
Deliver to the address below in a minimum volume of 15 liters – glass bottles, PET bottles, or cans; kegs are not accepted.
Hop Research Institute, s.r.o.
Jan Hervert
Kadaňská 2525
438 01 Žatec
Czech Republic
+420 723 236 685
Announcement of results:: April 9, 2026
Žatec,auditorium of the Hop Research Institute, s.r.o.
(On the same day, a conference with beer tasting titled “The Use of Czech Hop Varieties in Brewing” will take place in the auditorium.)
Ing. Markéta Podsedníková
tel.: 602 631 621
e-mail:
The competition is organised by Hop Research Institute Co., Ltd. and Bohemia Hop, a.s. and CHMELAŘSTVÍ, cooperative Žatec.
