Keyworths Midseason Hop Plant

It was raised as seedling OR55 in 1924 from open-pollinated seed collected from Y90 which was a daughter of wild Neomexicanus hop. It was selected in 1943 as one of the few varieties found to show moderate resistance to wilt disease. It is the mother of Density and Defender. It is a vigorous variety producing large, dense cones. As its name suggests, it matures mid to late season.Keyworths Midseason was bred by Prof Ernest Salmon at Wye College, Kent. Following Institute of Brewing trials in 1945 and 1948 where it was considered to be acceptable, the Hops Marketing Board arranged for propagation and distribution to farms in 1949 because of the urgent need for a wilt tolerant variety. In 1949, 133 acres were planted which rose to a peak of 573 acres in 1954 followed by a gradual decline.