PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Organic beer is a drop in the bucket of the overall market for beer.

But it's growing, and that's why some hops growers have been in a bitter battle to require that organic beer be made with organic hops.

The Oregonian reports the National Organic Standards Board will take up the issue later this month. A subcommittee voted last week to mandate organic hops in organic beer in about three years.

In 2007, organic brewers won an exception because there weren't enough organic hops available to flavor beer made with organic barley.

Willamette Valley hop grower Pat Leavy is president of the American Organic Hop Grower Association. He says a favorable ruling from the standards board will increase demand for organic hops.

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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com

Copyright 2010 The AP.