More feral hops

**cuinrearview** · 08-18-2008, 05:55 PM

I got a call from SWMBO today while on my way home from work. Seems a distant cousin of hers has some wild hops growing on his property. She was there today and told me that they were very mild smelling, at least compared to the cascade that we have. I've heard that most feral plants are either cascade or fuggle. Any truth to this? She also told me that they didn't look quite ripe yet, but did contain quite a bit of visual lupulin glands. As a reference I harvested my cascade a week ago, and I read that fuggle are supposed to mature early. Her cousin said that the plant is about 40 years old. I'm about to get out the door to check them out. Pictures to follow.

**david_42** · 08-18-2008, 06:10 PM

A 40 year-old plant will probably be Fuggles or maybe Brew's Gold. Cascade was developed in 1956 and the most common variant in 1974.

**cuinrearview** · 08-18-2008, 09:59 PM

Well, I'm back, and without pictures. Seems the wife took the camera today. What I saw wasn't as impressive as I'd imagined. First, it was a "the guy who sold me the place told me there were hops growing down here" story, so the age is a mystery. Second, the area was pretty shaded by trees and the bines were forming a canopy over some weeds and rasberry bushes. The root system was spread all over, maybe 200 square feet, bines spourting everywhere! There were a fair amount of cones, but not a ton. I'm guessing due to the shade. They (the cones) were all pretty immature, with a decent amount of light yellow lupulin glands inside. The aroma was pretty much non-existent. They smelled wet and grassy. Near the end (I think) of one of the bines, which was sunnier, were some better looking cones. They were definately squared off a bit in shape, and I got just the faintest hint of citrus. I told her cousin what to look for when they're ripe, and he's going to keep an eye on them and call me back when he thinks they're ready. He's an older guy and pretty sentimental for his rural hometown, and wants to take cuttings and plant them in a sunnier area. I'm skeptical, but I'll help him move some next spring and maybe, maybe take one for my yard if I like them. I've already promised to brew a batch with them for him if I can harvest enough.

Sorry for the big buildup, but I was pretty excited. I know y'all can understand.

Willie3 · 08-19-2008, 06:09 PM

IDK! I still think that it is exciting to use hops that have grown wild for sometime. I would go so far as sending a sample to a hop specialist to determine the AA. The cost is moderate to minimal and can provide you with a wealth of information.

Good luck.

Let us know about the harvest.

- WW