growing hops

I'm growing hops (for brewing beer) for the first time and would love to talk to someone locally who has grown them before. Some of my cones appear to be ready to harvest--how should they be handled after harvest? I am growing 5 different varieties--what varieties have worked well in this area?

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Permalink Reply by Michael Coyle on August 9, 2008 at 10:41am

Take a picture of the cones. I'd love to see them! Which varieties do you grow?

None of my plants are in flower yet, but when the cones are ready I pick them and immediately freeze them. I grow cascade and mt hood varieties, and love to use them for dry hopping. When they are fresh frozen, they impart a wonderful aromatic spiciness to American ales.

Woo Hoo for home brew!

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Permalink Reply by Rita Pelczar on September 11, 2008 at 9:15am

Michael,
We are growing Cascade, Wilamette, Fuggle, Nugget, and Magnum--all did pretty well, especially Cascade and Wilamette. We are planning to expand our planting significantly next year. I've attached a couple pics of Cascade which were taken in late July. We were really surprised that they produced so early. We harvested in early August--not a lot, but I think pretty good considering it's the vines' first year.

Attachments:

DSC03492.JPG, 1.6 MB
DSC03491.JPG, 1.5 MB

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Permalink Reply by Michael Coyle on September 25, 2008 at 12:53pm

Your plants are lovely! Looks like you have some great varieties for those classic west coast ales!

I'm drooling just thinking about it. Beeeeeeer.......