Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Langara Biology students are researching B.C.'s wild hops, including one standout varietal that’s brewing real buzz with local craft breweries and showing potential for a uniquely Canadian beer.
Biology students at snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College are conducting hands-on research into homegrown hop varietals that can reshape the way Canadian beer is brewed and branded.
Led by Biology instructor Dr. Ji Yong Yang and conducted in partnership with Crescent Island Farms and Barnside Brewing in Delta, and the Island Hop Company in Prince Edward Island, the applied research investigates British Columbia’s wild hop populations and is narrowing in on standout varietals. The varietal that has advanced furthest in the research thus far is named Tamarack.
This work is proving that Canada doesn’t just brew beer, Canada can grow a brewing identity too. And at Langara, that kind of impact starts with hands-on learning that connects classroom biology and chemistry to community outcomes.
For Yang, the project is more than research. It is a lesson in what happens when learning is rooted in relationships. In a close-knit environment, students work alongside faculty and industry partners on field sampling and lab analysis, helping determine whether local feral hops can be successfully cultivated for brewing.
Today, Tamarack is being grown in trellised fields at Crescent Island Farms and beer using Tamarack has been met with strong enthusiasm that signals momentum for local microbreweries. Its growth potential is also being tested across the country at Island Hop Company.
Projects like this demonstrate that at Langara, students can receive a high-quality education that goes beyond the classroom, with wraparound supports and real connections to careers with community impact.
Langara Biology puts students in the field and the lab from year one. Projects like this run through the year and connect classroom work to real industry partners. Ready to start?
