Johnny Hop Rhizome

[Ruy Lopez]

Can anyone offer some advice about growing hops? I'm going to plant some in the spring, but given the variety and my relative inexperience, I'm a bit unsure about what to plant. Is there a most versatile species? Is there a species best suited to southeastern climate? (NC)

 

[Janx]

I don't know about varieites, but here in coastal California, there's nothing to growing them. They won't die. plant em next to a building or a railing or something they can climb. They come back stronger every year.

I never used homegrown hops in beers because you don't know the alpha acid or anything, but they're pretty and easy to grow.

 

[Uncle Fat]

I planted some cascade and willamette on the side of my house last year. They came right up. Not too strong or fruitful, but I wasn't expecting them to be because I planted them late, and I was told that the first year doesn't usually produce well anyway. If they come in better next year, I'll try to brew with them.
I went to a Fresh Hop fest last year, and now I've got the bug to try it. A bunch of local breweries (I think around 8) had to come up with a beer using only fresh hops, and only a single variety. Sure, nothing was very complex, but there were some really interesting beers. Also, it gave you a chance to taste the difference in hop varieties pretty clearly.

 

[Janx]

Yeah I really enjoy showcasing a single type of hops in a beer to get a feel for their flavor. Sounds like a fun event!

 

[Ruy Lopez]

I never used homegrown hops in beers because you don't know the alpha acid or anything, but they're pretty and easy to grow.

I was under the impression that you could count on a range from each variety, no?

 

[Ruy Lopez]

I went to a Fresh Hop fest last year, and now I've got the bug to try it. A bunch of local breweries (I think around 8) had to come up with a beer using only fresh hops, and only a single variety. Sure, nothing was very complex, but there were some really interesting beers. Also, it gave you a chance to taste the difference in hop varieties pretty clearly.

That's what I have in mind for now. Plant a versatile variety, something I can use for bittering and aroma, and use it to craft a signature brew of sorts.

This book looks promising:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...102-9495232-1250552?v=glance&s=books&n=507846


Of course, I'm still renting, so this whole plan rests on my ability to convince my fiancé’s father that his yard would look great hops growing in it.

 

[Ruy Lopez]

So which one would you plant? (Assuming perfect growing conditions.)


http://www.freshops.com/rhizinfo.html

 

[Janx]

I was under the impression that you could count on a range from each variety, no?

Hmm...I'm not sure but I would think it would vary widely. And I would think it's very dependant on growing conditions, time of harvest, nutrients in soil etc etc...