100+ year old rhizome

[rambler]

Someone has just offered to cut me some clippings from thier hop vine which his familly has been tending for over 100 years. The question is: Will the age of the vine have any effect on the flavor of the hops?

 

[Dogphish]

based on what i know about plants in general, i would guess that the plant may not grow as vigorously as it did 100 years ago, but the taste will be very close to the original taste.

 

[avidhomebrewer]

I would think that if you provide proper soil (nutrients, fertilizer, etc) for the plant, it should be just fine. It's pretty cold where I live yet and my hops plant is taking off pretty quick. Grew a foot in a week. Granted, the rhizome isn't 100 years old (don't know), but nonetheless, hops do grow quickly. I agree with dog; I doubt the flavor will change much, if at all, over time.

 

[Teromous]

You could offer it up to DFH so they could make a gimmick beer out of it

 

[Seven]

I listened to a hops related podcast from Basic Brewing Radio recently where they stated that hops lose their potency as the vines age or go through several generations.

Not a very scientific explanation, but this is what I recall them saying.

 

[rambler]

He brought some hops over with him the last time i brewed and they seemed to be ok. They definitely werent very potent but this could have been because of the way they were stored.

I guess either way they would be worth having. Just the fact of thier age makes it kind of a novelty to use. I could make an antique pale ale.

 

[MattHollingsworth]

It'd be a shame to not try this. Give it a go. If you don't, you'll always wonder.

Guess these are maybe Cluster. Can't recall other old American hops. Anyone?

 

[rambler]

Its hard to say what they are. They came from a ranch in a very old part of Nevada. I dont think i'll ever find out. I have no idea what varieties grow naturally around here or where these ones were brought from. I hope they are some transplants from Germany or something. The ones he brought over smelled very floral and spicy, not too bitter or oily so I would imagine the alphas are pretty low.

He just gave me some clippings today and I'm headed out to plant them now.