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Hop Rhizomes - Growing your own

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hops4me

Mon Feb 18 2008, 04:02PM

Registered Member #47
Joined: Fri Feb 08 2008, 10:14AM
Posts: 45

I just ordered 2 roots of Cascade and 2 roots of Willemette for delivery in early April. Has anyone else grown their own hops? It seems easy enough to do.

12:55

Tue Feb 19 2008, 07:46AM

Joined: Tue Jan 08 2008, 03:57PM
Posts: 751

I wonder if more people will be doing this durning the hop shortage? Sounds like you could make money doing it if you had a large farm.

Beerbuddha

Tue Feb 19 2008, 07:49AM

Joined: Tue Jan 08 2008, 04:17PM
Posts: 581

If you're doing it outside you have to have the right climate. We in the South are not in the right climate. Virginia up to New York is the correct climate. Oregon and Washington are the correct climate as well.

ExoBrewer

Tue Feb 19 2008, 12:51PM

Registered Member #45
Joined: Thu Feb 07 2008, 12:28PM
Posts: 152

yea, but I have heard about people growing them here in New Orleans and James Spencer of BasicBrewing.com has talked about how well his Cascade hops have grown in Northwest Arkansas. The key with homegrown hops is to use them for aroma, and maybe flavor, but since you don't know the AAU's, rely on commercial hops for bittering where the lots have already been tested.

rafjr00

Tue Feb 19 2008, 02:17PM

Joined: Wed Jan 09 2008, 07:20AM
Posts: 638

Neat idea...wonder if enough people do this if it might help take some pressure off the industry.

Kickin' it in Met' tree...dawlin

ExoBrewer

Tue Feb 19 2008, 02:36PM

Registered Member #45
Joined: Thu Feb 07 2008, 12:28PM
Posts: 152

I doubt it. My understanding is that it usually takes a couple of years for a crop to start producing at high levels. It's not like planting a field of wheat or barley. It's more like planting a fruit tree and waiting a couple of years until the bumper crops start coming. That said, I fully expect someone with more backyard space than me in the New Orleans area to give it a whirl and invite me over to show me how well they've done.

Also, I know for a fact that Jason Kuczek of newbrewers.com who lives in Uptown New Orleans planted a hop rhizome last year. Don't know how well it did, but anyone who signs up for the homebrew school this weekend can ask him (or just e-mail him and ask him about it anyway).

FYI, someone (besides me, too lazy...he he) should contact Jason, tell him about the SBS, and get him on board with this organization.

So it is written, so I hope it will get done.

rafjr00

Tue Feb 19 2008, 03:28PM

Joined: Wed Jan 09 2008, 07:20AM
Posts: 638

I believe you are right Exo...in that it takes a few years to get a crop out of the plant.

Kickin' it in Met' tree...dawlin

hops4me

Tue Feb 19 2008, 04:45PM

Registered Member #47
Joined: Fri Feb 08 2008, 10:14AM
Posts: 45

Well, this year or one or two later, I thought it would be a different thing to try and maybe save a few bucks along the way. Ya know...kinda the essence or roots of homebrewing. We shall see.

Beerbuddha

Tue Feb 19 2008, 06:39PM

Joined: Tue Jan 08 2008, 04:17PM
Posts: 581

Exo,

Just contacted Jason on his website. Thanks for the info.

ExoBrewer

Fri Feb 22 2008, 09:25AM

Registered Member #45
Joined: Thu Feb 07 2008, 12:28PM
Posts: 152

This just in from my Northern Brewer e-mailer (abridged for length):

NORTHERN BREWER HOMEBREW NEWS
February 2007

PRE-ORDER HOP RHIZOMES NOW!
We are now taking pre-orders for spring 2008 hop rhizomes! Order
now for the best chance to get the varieties and amounts you want,
rhizomes will ship approximately mid-April. $5.99 each, minimum
order is two rhizomes, eligible for $7.99 BrewSaver shipping! Order
online at http://www.northernbrewer.com/rhizomes.html

HOP GROWING BOOKS
"Homegrown Hops" -- Bone up on home hop cultivation and drying
before planting season with this comprehensive book!

"The Homebrewer's Garden" -- This book features an extensive chapter
on home hop cultivation, harvesting, and drying – as well as lots
of info on growing herbs, spices, and other brewing ingredients.
Have this reference on hand when you plant your rhizomes!

Find both books at http://www.northernbrewer.com/nl/hop-books.html

HOPS ARE AVAILABLE, SOMETIMES EVEN CHEAP!
As you may know, hops are extremely scarce this year. Despite the
scarcity, we are holding back nothing, putting our entire inventory
of hops for sale on-line. We're pricing the hops based upon supply
and demand. Because we have a very limited supply, prices on most
varieties are very high (at least triple last year's prices).

Fortunately, we have recently found a two quality hops that are
somewhat plentiful. The first variety is a Cascade grown in
Argentina. Surprisingly, it does *not* resemble the grapefruity
Cascade grown here in the United States. It is spicy and peppery,
and we are offering it for $2.99/ounce.

The other variety is Hallertau Select hops from Germany. Great as
an earthy aroma hop in your lagers and pale ales, we are making it
available for the crazy price of just $1.99/ounce.

Scoop them up at http://www.northernbrewer.com/nl/hops-a-plenty.html

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