Amarillo hops shortage?

[todd_k]

Has anyone else heard that there is an Amarillo shortage this year? I went to Weekend Brewer and was told their supplier (someone in NC) had a bad crop and Amarillo was really hard to get. They gave me Centennial as a comprable replacement. Is that right?

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

Hops aren't grown commercially in NC to my knowledge, though there may be a distributor here. I hadn't heard of a shortage, but it seems plausible especially as we get closer to fall when the new crops should start arriving.

According to this chart Cascade & Centennial would both be good substitutes:
http://www.byo.com/referenceguide/hops/

 

[rod]

when i wanted to brew a hop rod rye clone i had to get them from
beer beer and more beer in california - couldn't find any at the canadian suppliers

 

[david_42]

Several trends: Dry weather last year made the Amarillo harvest a bit on the short side and this summer is also very dry. More growers have installed drip irrigation systems, which requires reconfiguring the plant spacing & cutting the harvest for a year or two. The style fads in craft brewing are driving some growers into the flabby, but stable arms of BMC.

There are always alternatives.

 

[todd_k]

Thanks for the link to that chart. When I was in Weekend Brewer, we were looking up hop charts in books like Cloned Brews and Amarillo wasn't listed. Bob (or is it Bill?) was out giving a presentation so it took a while to find an answer.

 

[david_42]

Amarillo is new and trademarked (as is columbus), so it might not be in some newer charts and won't be in anything over 5 years old.

 

[homebrewer_99]

...Hops aren't grown commercially in NC to my knowledge, though there may be a distributor here...

I was going to mention that.

Several hundred years ago they tried growing hops in NC, but found it to be too humid for the plant.

 

[Rhoobarb]

Just keep your eye out for them! They are very popular right now, and for good reason! Once the Fall harvest is in, you might score some.

I bought some from Freshops quite some time ago and used them in some brews. Loved 'em!:rockin: When I ran out, I went back to them to order more, and they were out. I checked their website every couple of weeks and, after about a month, whadya know - there they were! I bought 10oz. on the spot!