At the 60th Congress of the International Hop Growers’ Convention (IHGC), held from 26 to 29 July 2026 in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany, Slovenia was represented by delegates from the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing (IHPS), the Slovenian Hop Growers’ Association, hop merchants, and hop growers. During the IHGC General Assembly, distinguished individuals were honoured for their outstanding achievements and long-standing contributions to the hop industry.
This year, Slovenia received four prestigious honours. Upon the nomination of the Slovenian Hop Growers’ Association, hop growers Slavko Šalej and Franc Gajšek were awarded the Order of the Hop, First Class (Knight). On the nomination of the IHGC International Scientific and Technical Commission, the same distinction was awarded to Dr Sebastjan Radišek. Upon the nomination of the IHGC Executive Board, Prof. Dr Martin Pavlovič received the Order of the Hop, Second Class (Officer).
We warmly congratulate all the recipients on these well-deserved honours.
