New Czech Hop Cultivars Art and Uran: A Step Toward Drought-Resistant Hops with High Brewing Potential

Two new Czech hop cultivars, Art and Uran, were developed within the national hop breeding program of the Czech Republic to improve drought tolerance while maintaining high brewing quality. The cultivars were evaluated for agronomic performance, chemical composition, and sensory properties in both hops and beer. Drought tolerance was assessed by measuring photosynthesis (A) and transpiration (T) rates under water stress using a portable photosynthesis system, complemented by visual evaluation. Art showed the highest drought resistance, maintaining photosynthetic activity and minimal stress symptoms even after ten days without irrigation. The chemical composition of both cultivars was stable. Art contained on average 5.8% w/w of alpha acids with a balanced alpha/beta acid ratio of 1.07, while Uran reached 11.9% w/w and a ratio of 2.34, confirming its classification among bitter hops. Art expressed a fine aroma–flavour character with citrusy and herbal tones, whereas Uran combined bitter and flavour attributes with woody and spicy notes. In brewing trials, both cultivars effectively transferred their aroma into beer. Art produced a delicate bitterness with fruity–herbal notes, while Uran yielded a moderate bitterness with hoppy–woody tones. Both represent promising, drought-tolerant cultivars expanding the diversity of Czech hops.