From hop water to haze-forward lemonade, the hop specialist debuts its most efficient lineup yet
The business of craft beer is getting more complicated — climate challenges, raw material costs, shifting consumer tastes — and at this year’s drinktec trade show in Munich, BarthHaas makes the case that hops just might be the solution to all of it.
The hop innovators showcased their most forward-thinking products yet: efficient brewing aids, climate-tolerant hop varieties, and hop-forward beverages built for beyond-the-beer-glass drinkers.
At the center of their booth (and their pitch) is the new Inspiration Range 2026 — a smart brewing concept developed by the BarthHaas Brewing Solutions team. It starts with a single “mother beer” that’s then transformed into a variety of styles simply by adding different hop extracts. The result? Big creativity, smaller resource draw.
The Inspiration Range 2026 lineup:
- An alcohol-free lager with bright citrus notes
- A classic international lager
- A fruity Belgian-style wit
- A hop-forward pale ale
“Working with a mother beer saves malt, time, and energy,” said Dr. Christina Schönberger, head of the concept brewery at BarthHaas. “Compared with pellets, only a small percentage of the same quantity of hops is required — and you get a huge range of aromas.”
Beyond beer: hop water, cider, and even hop-powered energy drinks
BarthHaas also highlighted how hops can punch up the rest of the beverage aisle. The Inspiration Range includes:
- A purist hop water with subtle aroma and zero fluff
- A cloudy lemonade using hop-based haze for an unfiltered look
- A hoppy cider and a hop-forward energy drink, aimed squarely at flavor-curious consumers
Add in more climate-resilient hop varieties and a push into new categories, and the message is clear: hop producers can be a serious engine of innovation in the broader beverage space.
To prove the point, BarthHaas brought out its Collab Bar, pouring a curated set of beers, kombuchas, and malt drinks made with their hop products. Highlights include:
- “Hoplander IPA” from Maisel & Friends
- “Special Effects IPA,” a non-alc crusher from Brooklyn Brewery
- “Barahsinghe Pilsner,” the first dry-hopped beer in Nepal
Each beverage doubles as a case study in how smart hop applications can drive both quality and production efficiency.
Prysma: BarthHaas debuts its fastest flavor delivery system yet
But the flashiest launch might be Prysma, a 100% hop-based liquid flavor product that promises ultra-fast, long-lasting aroma and flavor release. It’s designed for breweries and beverage makers looking to reduce losses, maximize yield, and push flavor boundaries in a cost-effective way.
With Prysma, BarthHaas says it’s setting “new standards in flavor technology.”
TL;DR: BarthHaas is doing what it does best
- New hop extracts make brewing more efficient and flexible
- Hop water and lemonade are now things — and pretty delicious ones
- Collabs prove that smart hop use means better beer and better margins
- Prysma is a shiny new flavor tech for brewers to try out ASAP
BarthHaas will be at drinktec through September 19, and you can catch all of this (and more) at their booth.
