Today in 1996, US Patent PP9511 P was issued, an invention of Tokio Tanikoshi, Yasunori Arai, Yutaka Itoga, Masanobu Goto, and Narushi Suda, assigned to Sapporo Breweries Limited, for their “Hops Named ‘Furano No. 18.'” Here’s the Abstract:

A new and distinct variety of Hops, named Hokuto-Ace, is described, which matures rapidly, has excellent bitterness and aroma, and exhibits increased disease resistance, particularly toward downy mildew and gray mold.