New grower in NH

[(DE NH)]

Lurker here who is in the planning stages of growing my own hops. I'd be interested to hear opinions on the best mix of varieties.

Here are some particulars of my situation...
1. Looking for about 8 to 10 bines, with a mix of bittering, dual-purpose, and aromatic.
2. I live in New Hampshire, so prefer robust American varieties which are proven producers. I do have a South facing spot, but slightly cooler summers.
3. I'd like flexibility to brew several styles. Though resiny IPAs are a must.

My current short list includes Magnum for bittering, Cascade, Simcoe and Chinook for dual-purpose, and Willamette and Mt Rainier for aroma.

Does my logic make sense, or do you have alternative suggestions? Do you think I could get by using these hops for most of my brewing needs?

Advice from anyone growing in New England would be particularly helpful.

 

[Wesmando]

Cascade is very sturdy, vigorous and great producer. Good luck finding Simcoe.

 

[(DE NH)]

Good point. I added Simcoe to the list last minute, so didn't really look much at it's availability.

 

[Nokt]

I have Sterling and Crystal doing the best. The Cascade, Centennial, and Kent Golding are not growing as well. the first two get morning sun and shade the rest of the day. The others get much more sun.

 

[(DE NH)]

I have Sterling and Crystal doing the best. The Cascade, Centennial, and Kent Golding are not growing as well. the first two get morning sun and shade the rest of the day. The others get much more sun.

That's interesting. From what I've read Sterling does better in warmer climates, but there's certainly no arguing with success.

Perhaps I should consider casting a wide net for a couple seasons and seeing what takes.

 

[Wesmando]

I live in western Kentucky, very hot and humid. My theory is that a lot of varieties will at least live in most climates with the exception of dramatic differences. Fir example; i wouldnt want to plant a Russian variety from the way northern hemisphere. I do have to amitt my Neo didnt make it, but I want to try it again. Yeah, sorry to bring up the scarceness of the trademark varieties. If you do find them you have to sign a trade agreement, no propagation.

 

[Marty50]

Northern Mass here. Cascade Fuggles growing great. Crystal, a bit slower. Too early to tell with the first years,
Willamette
Nugget
Golding
Zeus (dead)
Northern Brewer
Sterling aroma
Mt Hood aroma

 

[(DE NH)]

Northern Mass here. Cascade Fuggles growing great. Crystal, a bit slower. Too early to tell with the first years,
Willamette
Nugget
Golding
Zeus (dead)
Northern Brewer
Sterling aroma
Mt Hood aroma

I'm southern NH, so we must not be far apart. Glad to hear your Cascade and Fuggles are doing well (though I was thinking of using Willamette in place of the later).

I'd definitely be interested to hear how your others do in the future. Do you know what killed your Zeus?

 

[Marty50]

I'm southern NH, so we must not be far apart. Glad to hear your Cascade and Fuggles are doing well (though I was thinking of using Willamette in place of the later).

I'd definitely be interested to hear how your others do in the future. Do you know what killed your Zeus?

The seller reports 100% garbage. Poor example of a rhyzome from the start. They will replace it next spring. Here's a current shot of the mess I created. Next season netting to train and separate

 

[Marty50]

Left to right. Crystal Fuggles Cascade. I'll have more than enough for myself

 

[Sbe2]

My .02 would be to stick with the “C” hops. Five years ago I planted Newport, Galena, and Centennial, 2 of each variety. The Newport’s and Galenas will produce about 3 lbs of dried hops per plant. The centennial about 1 lb at best. So I have a ton of buttering hops and hardly any “flavor” hops. I enjoy IPAs with a lot of hop character, but I do not get the flavor I want with Galena and Newport.

So this year I decided to plant a new hop yard in a different area with 6 “C” varieties: Cascade, Centennial, Columbus, Chinook, Comet, and Cashmere. If I want to bitter my IPAs I can use almost all of which I planted, but can I can use all of them for late additions.

Also, Simcoe is a proprietary hop, which I think expires in a few years so it may be available to us to grow

 

[(DE NH)]

The seller reports 100% garbage. Poor example of a rhyzome from the start. They will replace it next spring. Here's a current shot of the mess I created. Next season netting to train and separate View attachment 578758

Good to know. I was debating about whether to try Fuggles, but you might have convinced me. Thanks!

 

[(DE NH)]

So this year I decided to plant a new hop yard in a different area with 6 “C” varieties: Cascade, Centennial, Columbus, Chinook, Comet, and Cashmere. If I want to bitter my IPAs I can use almost all of which I planted, but can I can use all of them for late additions.

Sounds like your definitely making up for it with a lot of dual-purpose varieties! I was thinking of just planting Magnum for the bittering, and then going for dual-purpose and aroma with the rest.

I definitely want Cascade, Chinook and Zeus (which I heard is very close to Columbus, but may be better in colder areas).

 

[Sbe2]

Sounds like your definitely making up for it with a lot of dual-purpose varieties! I was thinking of just planting Magnum for the bittering, and then going for dual-purpose and aroma with the rest.

I definitely want Cascade, Chinook and Zeus (which I heard is very close to Columbus, but may be better in colder areas).

Yeah, I am near Buffalo so not sure if it’s too cold for Columbus. The Cashmere is susceptible to diseases according a to a rep at GLH so who knows how that will be.