Anyone else harvesting hops?

Cookiebaggs · 08-27-2007, 03:23 PM

This last spring, I found out that a member of my church grows hops...........a lot of hops!

Cascade
Hallertauer
Saaz
Fuggles

It turns out they just like to grow the hops for decoration and don't brew. When I asked them what they do with the hops at harvest time, they said they just pull the vines and throw them out!

He said I could have them all if I wanted!

So yesterday I picked 4, 5 gallon buckets of Cascade and am drying it now. I will get the Hallertau later this week. Time to fire up the foodsaver and stock the freezer.

Anyone else picking hops?

**Brewing Clamper** · 08-27-2007, 03:28 PM

When can we expect our shipments?

Danny013 · 08-27-2007, 04:08 PM

That rocks! You'll be set for a while!

IPA's all year!

Rhoobarb · 08-27-2007, 04:17 PM

I'll be harvesting my Cascade either tonight or tomorrow. They look and feel to be at their peak right now. The Nuggets and Willamettes aren't quite ready - maybe another week.

I've been thinking about leaving some on the vine and maybe doing a Hop Harvest ale using all freshly picked hops.

**the_bird** · 08-27-2007, 04:23 PM

I've got no hop cones on my Cascades, but first year, so I wasn't expecting much.... probably could have used some fertilizer or maybe some more sun, but I was just trying to get them established this year, anyway.

One of my co-workers has boatloads of wild hops growing on her property, so I'll make a trip up and see what their status is in a couple of weeks. No idea what varieties they are, when I picked them last year, they were pretty much shot so I never used them. Have to get up there before they turn this year.

Cookiebaggs · 08-27-2007, 04:28 PM

I think I picked at just the right time. Some of the flower leafs on the cascade were just starting to turn brown. Most were still green.

I'm told they are dry enough when you can drop a hop from 18-20 inches onto a table and some lupulin powder falls out. Time for 10 gallons of IPA! I'm almost out.

I can't wait for the hallertau. The hop flowers are about 2 1/2 inches long!

Danny013 · 08-27-2007, 04:38 PM

I'm jealous of the fuggles! Delicious!

Only thing better than fuggles is goldings

CBBaron · 08-27-2007, 04:52 PM

Just harvested the hops off of my first year vines yesterday. I'll know how much I have after I finish drying but I don't think I have much more than 3 to 6 oz. Still I don't consider it too bad for a first year vine that wasn't watered much during our early drought.
Craig

**bradsul** · 08-27-2007, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny013

I'm jealous of the fuggles! Delicious!

Only thing better than fuggles is goldings

And the only thing better than that is a 50/50 mix.

I love Fuggles and EKG so I hate having to choose.

Danny013 · 08-27-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradsul

And the only thing better than that is a 50/50 mix.

I love Fuggles and EKG so I hate having to choose.

Too true! I've got to get out of my apartment so I can start growing hops.

To those of you that do grow your own, can you notice a difference in your brew? Even if the hops at the LHBS are fresh? Or do you just like to be that much more involved in your brew? Either way sounds good to me

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