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tanglewood16137 · 12-04-2006, 02:52 AM

Hello I used to have like 12 different kind of hops growing but all have died out excepth on its still going strong its canadian red vine and it hasn't been on a pole inyears and it grows up to 100 feet out on weeds and brush around it huge and it produces huge fragrent spicey cones and tons of them.

Rod

javedian · 01-27-2007, 04:52 AM

Starting to think of what hop rhizomes to get (and where in the yard to put them).
Thinking of 3 plants. Anybody have comments? I am just getting back into brewing (with a vengance), and brew all sorts of beer, rarely anything twice. I like variety. FYI - Freshops just posted on their web that rhizome orders will be accepted starting 3/21.

1. Cascade - well, I do live in CA.

2. Mt. Hood, Liberty, or Sterling. Anybody have experience with growing these? What about flavors? How does Mt Hood & liberty compare (or differ) to Hallertauer, and Sterling to Saaz?

3. Canadian Redvine - can anybody post a good flavor / aroma profile or something similar? From Freshops: MAJOR TRAITS: exceptionally vigorous, very low alpha (5%), high cohumulone, little humulene

4. Sunbeam - may replace one of the above, depending on garden location, as I have a couple of part-sun locations where I can grow up a pole / trellis / twine. MAJOR TRAITS: attractive lemon-yellow leaf color during the whole season., reddish brown stem color which contrasts nicely with the yellow leaves.
OTHER INFORMATION: This is an ornamental diploid hop which is not intended for commercial
production. However, the cones could be suitable for flavoring beer and
ales especially of a Saazer-type aroma profile is desired. The reduced
chlorophyll content makes Sunbeam sensitive to direct sunlight in
midsummer, causing shriveling and browning of the leaves. Therefore,
this variety is best grown in semi-shaded areas to maintain attractive foliage
during the growing season.

**Schlenkerla** · 01-27-2007, 12:56 PM

I would buy only aroma and finishing hops. In my first try I followed Freshops recomendation. Cascade & Nugget. Both grew quite well.

I read in my hop gardening book that its risky brewing with fresh hops for bittering. First you don't know how high the AAU's are going to be and two you don't gain the "fresh" benefit.

I am using my homegrown for Aroma and Flavor exclusively (late additions and dry hopping). I will always buy pellets for bittering.

My Pleasant Hill Lager is my latest batch using home grown I pitched in 1/4 oz of nugget at flame out. I used a pale hopped extract for standardizing purposes.

FYI - Nugget is a bittering hop with supposedly good aroma.

I will do the exact same recipe with the cascades tomorrow.

My American Cream Ale is awesome. This was my first lager and first go with my cascades. The hop taste mildly prominent but not over powering. (12-13IBU 1/2 oz fresh.) The flavor is more floral than citrusy which is opposite of what I expected. - Still quite good!

david_42 · 01-27-2007, 02:11 PM

I planted a Sunbeam last year, but it didn't produce anything. The only shade it gets is from the other hops on the east side of the trellis. Maybe I should swap it with the N.B., so the Sunbeam is shaded in the afternoon?

Funny they call something that can't handle full sun, Sunbeam!

Tony · 01-27-2007, 02:26 PM

Couple questions on using homegrown hops. Ive read from so many sources that homegrown hops are great for aroma and finishing, but not for bittering, because you cant actually calculate IBU's because you cant be sure of the actual alpha acids.

First, is this true?

Have you homegrowers run into this?

If it is, what equipment is actually used to measure alpha acids?

**Schlenkerla** · 01-27-2007, 03:23 PM

That's correct. The flavor & aroma additon does very little for bittering.

Its really a waste of fresh hops anyhow if you use them for bittering. Unless you have alot, more than you can use for the year for flavor & aroma.

If you want you can have them evaluated at a lab for alpha acid units, but I don't know of anyone who has done this or where they could be sent.

I don't know what equipment is needed or how practical that would be.

david_42 · 01-27-2007, 04:44 PM

You can probably send them to the hop heads at OSU, but I think we are talking $200 per test. They typically use high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and those run $250,000 or so. [And take bleeding forever to calibrate!]

My hop plants are a mix of aroma & dual use hops, like Nuggett and Perle.

**DesertBrew** · 01-27-2007, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yuri_Rage

Anybody have any success growing hops in a dry climate? How big are the root systems on the average hop vine?

I tried some here last year and they were going like gangbusters. Then June/JulyAug happened (100+). Got burned up pretty much. They're even growing under a horse cover to start, then got to 10' and exposed to the AZ sun. I'd say if you're under 100 and can get water to them daily you might do well. I had mine on a timed drip line. I'm not pulling them up, we'll just see if they figure it out or maybe have them grow under the cover instead of around it.

david_42 · 01-27-2007, 05:29 PM

Most hops are grown in dry regions, like Eastern Washington and Oregon. As I learned last year: Lots of water, Lots. An inch a day isn't too much at 100F. Many of the big growers have gone over to constant drip irrigation and that's were I'm headed this year.

Whelk · 01-27-2007, 05:54 PM

What hops should be easiest to grow in southern NY (Westchester county)? I've never tried growing my own, but I'm looking forward to the attempt.