WESTERNVILLE — The Town of Western Historical Society will host the presentation, CNY Hops, Birth, Death and Rebirth of an Agricultural Industry by Madison County Historian Matthew Urtz at 7 p.m. at the Western Town Library, 9172 Main St., according to an announcement by event organizers. Refreshments will be served.

The talk by Urtz will look at the development of the hop history in the early 19th century, it’s growth throughout the century.

The industry’s growth lead to a three-county area in central New York growing 80% of all the hops produced in the United States at one time.

Hops were a crucial ingredient in the brewing of beer.

Hops are the flowers of the Humulus lupulus plant. They help to keep beer fresher, longer and help beer retain its foamy head — a key component of a beer’s aroma.

Hops are also used to help add flavor, and bitterness, to beer.

Shortly after the industry reached its height in the region, a series of developments led the crop to decrease in popularity in the Northeast during the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the industry being almost completely destroyed by the passing of the Volstead Act (Prohibition).

In the late 1990’s developments and the advancement of microbreweries led to the industry seeing a rebirth and in the 21st small hop farms are again dotting the local landscape.

Urtz has spearheaded several projects as Madison County historian, highlighting local history, veterans stories, and historic restaurants in the area.