HoppyDaze

Recipes 

So I live in Willamette valley; there are certain areas in the valley that are famous for its grape vine production. Im curious about growing hops this spring and was curious if there way anyone else on the boards who grows hops in the valley? Or does anyone have any second hand knowledge concerning growing hops in Willamette valley. I have access to a two acre lot in the foothills where all the vineyards are. I assume that same soil should do great for hops. I guess I should go ahead and plant some grape vines too eh? Anyway just putting the feelers out to see if anyone in my area has grown good hops. It seems like a blast and can't wait to get started!

__________________
"Dad, Bob broke your beer!"
Primary: air
Primary: Haus Pale Ale
Primary: air
Primary: air
Keg: air
Keg: air
Kegged: LightHaus Wheat, hopBOMB
Bottle: Terry Porter, Jubelale, MyBock, Edwort's Apfelwein, Saison!, ShookAle

Advice for posting

TXCurtis

Recipes 

Rogue's hops come from independence...

Many of the hop "nurseries" where people here get their hop plants from are in the valley...

__________________
If I have to bend over to start the job, so does she. - JohnnyO

Nothing to worry about, but really hard to get enough for a whole bowl of cereal. - bull8042

tfries

Recipes 

There are quite a few people around this part of the Valley who are successful in growing hops for their own use. There is some good information on growing hops at the Freshops web site.

If you are looking to do it commercially, then you need to ask yourself questions like, who will you be selling them to, how do you plan to process them (it takes a long time to had pick the cones off of a bine), what sort of trellising to use and the terrain.

West of I5 at Brooks, there are several hop farms. These are all on flat land. This is required so that they can run their machinery through the rows. If these were planted on a slope, the machines would topple over.

As far as the wine grapes, it really pays to do research. We planted a quarter acre of vines this last spring, which was 256 vines. We'll be planting another 62 vines this coming spring. That will be about all that we can handle on our own. I recommend two books on the subject, From Vines to Wines by Jeff Cox, and Oregon Viticulture edited by Edward Hellman. The latter one is geared specifically to the Willamette Valley.

One final note, you will absolutely need deer fencing around what ever you plant.

HoppyDaze

Recipes 

Yeah...I guess I just need to do my research from now until time to plant the hops. I will just be doing a few plants for my own personal use. Thanks for the info...

__________________
"Dad, Bob broke your beer!"
Primary: air
Primary: Haus Pale Ale
Primary: air
Primary: air
Keg: air
Keg: air
Kegged: LightHaus Wheat, hopBOMB
Bottle: Terry Porter, Jubelale, MyBock, Edwort's Apfelwein, Saison!, ShookAle

Advice for posting

mew

Recipes 

The Willamette Valley of Oregon and the Yakima Valley of Washington are where pretty much all US hops are grown. I live in Salem and know a couple brewers who grow their own quite successfully with very little effort. I plan to start growing them next season.

farmbrewernw

Recipes 

Your in the right place to grow lots of hops. Just go up towards Mt. Angel and St. Paul and you'll find lots of hop fields.

__________________
Schlonghammer Ales
It well...it tastes.......more fuller
_________________________
I'm working as a pro now, but that doesn't mean I'm not still homebrewing. I'm going to see if I can homebrew at work as a way to develop new recipes.

HoppyDaze

Recipes 

I think Im going to give it shot this year! How much do Rhizomes cost? and any suggestions on which kind to buy?

Thanks,

__________________
"Dad, Bob broke your beer!"
Primary: air
Primary: Haus Pale Ale
Primary: air
Primary: air
Keg: air
Keg: air
Kegged: LightHaus Wheat, hopBOMB
Bottle: Terry Porter, Jubelale, MyBock, Edwort's Apfelwein, Saison!, ShookAle

Advice for posting

McKBrew

Recipes 

Rhizomes typically run between 5-7bucks and the best place for you to buy them would probably be Freshops.

As far a what to grow, I think that should be based on what you like to brew. If you make IPA's, then definately some C-hops. I'd also suggest some fuggles and willamette for those stouts and porters as well.

Decojuicer

Recipes 

I have a friend out there that coon hunts in the valley, and she says that there are lots of hop farms. I keep asking her to just pluck a few and send them to me, but she(rightly) doesn't want to screw up her hunting priviledges on those farms.

__________________
There's a dragon in my garage - Carl Sagan

Primary - Schwartzhund Lager, 7 Point IPA
Secondary - Schwartzhund Lager
On Tap - Lawnmower Wheat Beer, Oatmeal Sweet Stout
Bottled - Pumpkin Ale
On Deck - Pretty Magnificent Stout

neko

Recipes 

I was just in Hubbard, OR this past weekend (near Woodburn and Canby) and there are huge hop fields all around. It doesn't look like much in December, but I can imagine that it is amazing to see when they have their annual hop festival.