What hopps should i grow?

[elbastardo]

I have some property out here in western WA, good climate for hopps. Any recomendations on types i might consider?

 

[scottlindner]

I struggled with this very question. I plan on growing hops this year and I'd like to pick my two ideal hops for the styles I brew most often. I suggest you consider what is common about what you frequently brew and focus on those. For me, I like British and Belgian styles, plus the insane IPA from time to time. Anything that I brew outside of that I will just pick up what I need locally. So I'm planning on Fuggles and Saaz. I believe both will work in my area, and both will play a part in most of my beer. It won't be 100%, but at least it'll get me something that I can use regularly.

I know that's not much of an answer, but that's how I approached it.

Scott

 

[eljefe]

I started to grow a few rhizomes two years ago. I was so excited to use them for brewing but two factors prevented this.

First, the piece of paper that listed what was planted where was lost. Therefore, I had no idea if I was brewing with Cascade, Warrior or Willamette.

Second, and probably more importantly, I realized I had no idea what the alpha measurement was. As a result, I could not accurately substitute home grown hops for pellets.

My advice (aside from don't lose your planting diagram) is to buy hops that you want to use for dry/wet hopping. To that end and given where you are the obvious answer is Cascade or similar substitute.

I have found these two sites to have the best variety if you haven't already found them. I may do the Pride of Ringwood this year to add to the "garden".

Good luck

http://www.freshops.com/
http://www.thymegarden.com/site/561124/page/217466

 

[scottlindner]

I'm glad you mentioned the alpha content issue. I had a plan for that, albeit, a weak one. I was going to brew a batch of IPA and just see how it came out. Not really a calibration, but too hoppy, not hoppy enough, and work from there to estimate the alpha content. I know, not really a solid plan, but that's what I was thinking.

I like your suggestion to use home grown for dry hopping only. I may just rethink my approach now!

Scott

 

[Yooper]

I've grown cascades and hallertauer for several years- both do well here, but I don't use the hallertauer as much as I thought I would. I brew all kinds of beers, but leans towards APAs and IPAs. My cascades have been fantastic, and I'm happy with them. This year, I ordered chinook and centennial to add a few varieties.

It's true that you can't know the AAU, but you can guestimate an average and brew a beer and see if it's bitter enough/not bitter enough. Usually, though, I use the hops for flavoring additions at 15 minutes, or aroma additions at 5 minutes and 0 minutes, when AAUs don't matter at all.

 

[scottlindner]

A bit off topic, but where in Da UP? I went to MTU, so I'm familiar with the weather and region where you're at.

Scott

 

[Yooper]

A bit off topic, but where in Da UP? I went to MTU, so I'm familiar with the weather and region where you're at.

Scott

In the south central UP, on the border of WI. It's called the "banana belt" because we don't get quite as much snow as Houghton!

 

[elbastardo]

differences in hops are fine by me I need to get some in the ground this spring. I can buy the pellets, but growing the hops is something that i can do. I plan on growing some hops this season anyway, whether i use them or not.

 

[scottlindner]

In the south central UP, on the border of WI. It's called the "banana belt" because we don't get quite as much snow as Houghton!

Dang... I see you played hockey too. I bet we've crossed paths. I grew up in Marinette on the boarder of the UP, and played a lot of ice hockey. Are you near Iron Mountain?

Houghton gets snow like you've never seen before. When I first moved to CO it was during the worst snow storm in the state's history. Our neighbors asked if we were going to be OK. I showed them a picture of the snow stick in the Keweenaw.... they realized this is balmy compared to what I've seen.

So now that I know your weather, what are the hop varieties you've had success with, and those that you haven't?

Scott

 

[Yooper]

Dang... I see you played hockey too. I bet we've crossed paths. I grew up in Marinette on the boarder of the UP, and played a lot of ice hockey. Are you near Iron Mountain?

Houghton gets snow like you've never seen before. When I first moved to CO it was during the worst snow storm in the state's history. Our neighbors asked if we were going to be OK. I showed them a picture of the snow stick in the Keweenaw.... they realized this is balmy compared to what I've seen.

So now that I know your weather, what are the hop varieties you've had success with, and those that you haven't?

Scott

I play hockey several days a week- we played in Iron Mountain yesterday. Iron Mountain is about 45 minutes away from me. I doubt you've seen me play, unless you've enjoyed watching women's teams that include older ladies! Sometimes we play against U-19 or U-16 teams, but most of us are old enough to be their grandmothers. We've got a couple of girls now that are under 30, but most of us are quite a bit older.

The cascades have done very well, and the hallertauer have done moderately well. That's all that I have experience with here. I'll be starting new rhizomes this year, but I only have experience with those two varieties at this point.