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THE BREWERS FORUM

SPEAKER

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Fermentis - Main sponsor of Lille 2024
Francis Heitz

Francis Heitz

HopFrance
Job Title

The Brewers Forum

Francis Heitz has a commercial and marketing background. He grew up on a traditional Alsatian hop farm still in operation, so he has a perfect knowledge of hop growing and the growers’ challenges. After a first experience in the brewing world as sales Rep for the biggest French brewing group in Switzerland, Francis joined Cophoudal (Asatian Hop Growers Cooperative) in 2005. He integrates quickly to take charge of export development and quality monitoring of the Alsatian hops. Francis participates to the Alsatian hop varietal research program as a member of the advisory group. After the merger with Comptoir Agricole in 2010, he helps to redefine the marketing strategy of the Alsatian hops in North America, Japan and Europe.

His current position is Key Account & Export Manager.

HopFrance

Alsace has long been known as the motherland of white wine. But travel out along the western banks of the Rhine River you’ll find Alsace’s other favorite crop: hops.
The Alsace region of France has been growing hops for more than 200 years in family farms, passing knowledge from generation to generation.

Comptoir Agricole is the leading company for hops in France. A 100% grower-owned supplier of premium quality French hops. 35 Families passionate about providing brewers with unique hop flavors. 15% of the acreage is dedicated to organic hops.
All the production of 480 ha is marketed under the marketing brand HopFrance with 6 exclusive terroir hops.

  • Strisselspalt is our noble hop with Spicy, herbal and Lemon character.
  • Aramis, derived from Strisselspalt, was designed to provide a crisp, non-lingering bitterness and refined aroma of spicy, herbal and citrus notes. Works nicely in Lagers, Pilsners, Saisons, Pale Ales, and Weizenbier beers.
  • Triskel has excellent aroma qualities and delivers floral, sweet fruit, and cream caramel flavors. Works nicely in Belgian Style Ales, Wheat Beers, Lagers, Pilsners, Saison, Session IPAs, and Pale Ales.
  • Barbe-Rouge, is an aroma hop with a lot of flavor, higher oil and alpha content that offers a non-lingering and refined bitterness. It delivers citrus, berry and currant flavors. Works well in Belgian Ales, Amber, Pilsners, Pale ales, Black IPAs, and Porter beers.
  • Mistral is ideal for late and dry hopping for fruit character. Delivers rose, sweet fruit and citrus flavors and works well in Belgian IPAs, America IPAs, Saison, and Pale Ales.
  • Elixir delivers tropical fruits character with a dominance of orange and tangerine. Works nicely in IPAs and Belgian Style beers.