Hey Guys, I've read that when you grow your own hops, the whole leaves that you get are better for dry hopping and flavor additives rather than bitterness. I guess because it's hard to know exactly how bitter homegrown hops will be? Anyway, I'm just looking for a good versatile hop to grow. I love super hoppy IPA's and really like the citrusy, grapefruity, pine type hops... Like SV Torpedo! Any suggestions? Thanks
Looking for suggestion on a good hop to grow.
- Thread starter Snoogles
- Start date
Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:
DrJerryrigger
Well-Known Member
Jump a fence and dig up a Citra rhizome... humm... dig one for me wile you at it!
But really; choose something you like to use for aroma (that isn't a proprietary plant). If you don't feel the need to know your exact IBU's you can grow a high AA hop too (I do). Or start with something that's works for both. I started with Sterling for that reason. Just choose a hop you like, or maybe 5 if you have space. Don't worry about it, just get something in the ground.
But really; choose something you like to use for aroma (that isn't a proprietary plant). If you don't feel the need to know your exact IBU's you can grow a high AA hop too (I do). Or start with something that's works for both. I started with Sterling for that reason. Just choose a hop you like, or maybe 5 if you have space. Don't worry about it, just get something in the ground.
if you're going to pick only 1, i'd recommend centennial - very popular with IPAs, fairly high AA - higher than cascade, another classic for american IPAs. both varieties are good solid growers, unlike some more fragile european varieties.
tchuklobrau
Well-Known Member
+1 on the centennial for citrusy aroma/flavor. Monster grower as well.
I grow 9 different varieties at the moment and might grow more next year. But I agree, if you want a "noble" variety for aroma or even mild bittering, then Hallertau is a good option. Fairly easy to grow. But if you want 1 general plant then I would go with Centennial due to flavor and for bittering ability and high AA content.
beerloaf
beerloaf
jfrank85
Well-Known Member
I'm doing chinook, cascade, centennial, sterling, and an unknown (possibly Yugoslavian variety). The 3 C'S are 2nd year and have grown absolutely nuts already 4+ ft. The other two are first years and have only sprouted. IMO good plants start from the ground up, work on a good soil base and a regular fungus/insect spraying regime and you'll be golden. I like to use triple action plus II for this once a week unless a hard rain washes it off. Once the burs come on i stop all spraying and hit twice a week with a liquid fertilizer (20-6-22). I guess what im trying to say is make sure you have a routine and stick with it, that makes things much easier on you in the long run.
