Favorite Hops?
I finally have room to grow hops of my very own. However, there are many varieties -- which have been your favorite varieties in making beer... because, come on, why would I grow them if I couldn't use them.
PS I can use them, right?
PS I can use them, right?
Labels: hops
posted by Lisa @ 1:28 PM
5 Comments:
At 2:49 PM,
chris said…
I like cascade. But of course, everyone and their brothers uses cascade, mostly thanks to the west coast brewers. Another favorite of mine but really more of a specialty hop is the hallertau, but then again I brew a good bit of wheatie beers. Like the hefe weizen in the secondary now. For other goodies, try willamette, or maybe centennial.
At 4:45 AM,
chris said…
I've heard of people using their own hops. Haven't done it myself mostly because my townhouse neighbors wouldn't appreciate an 8-10 foot vine growing in the backyard. Then you could truly make your own "organic" hops beer. Careful though! Too much self-sufficiency and next thing you know, you'll be driving a hybrid and savoring your own farts.
At 12:48 PM,
Jeff Alworth said…
Cascades are the most versatile hop, which makes them a good growing variety. You may be a little late, though. I think rhizomes should already be in the ground.
You can definitely use your own. I used to have Willamettes and Cascades at my house, and I was good most of the year for hops.
I'd look around for some beer that lists the kind of hopping it uses and taste them until you find the varieties you like.
At 7:23 PM,
Jonathan said…
I actually just started growing hops this year. Half Cascade, 1/4 Willemette, 1/4 Chinook. I'm planning to add a few more varieties next year. I chose Cascade because of it's versatility in brewing and because it's supposed to be a hardy breed. Thus far it is.
And, as Jeff says, I think you've missed this year's season. I'll let you live vicariously through my hops though You can see pics on the blog.
At 1:06 PM,
Lisa said…
Turns out that Portland Nursery was still selling small starts in gallon-sized pots. I bought two plants, a Willamette and a Nugget (their only two varieties left) for $6.99 a piece. More expensive than buying the rhizomes from freshops.com for $3.50 or so each, but at least I got them in the ground this spring (not bad for an early June planting). I read that they'll take a good 2-3 years to produce hops reliably and develop a strong root system. I am excited. I can't wait to smell my own farts and drive my hybrid car sometime soon. And by hybrid car, you mean bike, right?
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