home grown hop disappointment - Page 2

gbx · 11-09-2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by day_trippr

The "cheese" character is usually indicative of oxidation. How did you store the hops - and for how long - before using them?

Cheers!

I didn't store them at all. We picked during the mash and used them wet.

**Hopfarmer** · 11-09-2011, 06:39 PM

The grassy smell is a sign that the cones were not mature when picked.Even though papery and a little turning brown or golden at tips which could be a sign of under watering.

ekjohns · 11-10-2011, 12:41 PM

hmm, next year I will have to read up on watering. However, the 3 weeks before they were picked it rained almost every other day.....global warming....

**richbrew99** · 11-10-2011, 03:31 PM

Did better than my first year cascades, I got nothin.

nsrooen · 11-10-2011, 06:53 PM

I ended up getting a pound of hops from my two Cascade plants, dried them on a screen in the garage, vacuum packed and froze them. So far i have used them with great results in two beers. I only got 1 oz from my two Magnum plants.

So I do not believe that your first year hops will necessarily be unusable. Depends on how you take care of the plants and when you harvest. I guess it also depends on climate and whether you chose the right plant for where you are located.

**cheezydemon3** · 11-10-2011, 07:06 PM

store your hops shrink wrapped in a baggie for 2 months and when you open them up you will get more aroma, but it is only your perception.

My homegrown ale is a home run this year.

SPR-GRN · 11-11-2011, 10:43 AM

My first years all were destroyed by the hurricane that hit New England... I just hope they come back next year, and to build a sturdier hop trellis.

**cheezydemon3** · 11-11-2011, 12:47 PM

That SUCKS SPR, sorry.

Wet hops impart grassy. Nothing unusual about that.