Can't buy Citra?

[Emittim3]

Was thinking about starting some hops vines at home. I was thinking Citra, but it looks like one cannot purchase that unless you're a commercial entity due to it being a proprietary hybrid engineered by the "Hop Breeding Company". So what would be your suggestion on something similar to Citra that is available to us lowly home brewers?

 

[stonebrewer]

Because you will not know the alpha and beta acid content without spending money getting your hops tested, I recommend you buy them. I grew them for years but never made any beer that I thought was outstanding with them...might have been the terroir of my backyard though...dunno. Also different hops will grow better where you live than others. Lots of variable here. I would otherwise recommend Cascade, Centennial, and maybe Chinook.

 

[pshankstar]

Maybe try to grow Comet hops. Great Lakes has Comet plants for sale.

What makes me think of Comet hops is due to Yakima Valley Hops description of Comet Hops. They reference Comet being like "Citra's little sister".

If I can plant a few more hops next season, I will look into growing Comet myself. Currently I have Chinook and Centennials going here in Canandaigua, NY. Good luck!

 

[Weezy]

The great lakes folks have some experimental stuff that they'll be selling in a season of two that look interesting.

 

[B-Hoppy]

The great lakes folks have some experimental stuff that they'll be selling in a season of two that look interesting.

He does have a breeding program in the works but I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for anything to be released for homebrewers as he's having issues with commercial growers who signed contracts to grow some of their Michigan varieties. Seems they're renaming them? Also, the samples they brought to Detroit last Feb were nothing to really write home about so hopefully they have some more lines in the works.