Salvagebeer Homebrew Beer Blog

Amidst the bustle of autumn chores, I put my hops to bed recently. Upon buying the new place, I planted 2 vines of Kent Goldings, one Cascade, and one Zeus. I didn’t realize at the time how much deer like to eat tender hops shoots, and only one Kent Goldings and the Zeus survived.

Forgive the stolen images, my camera has broken, and plain text is boring. My hops did not produce this year, but that was expected, as they take 1-3 years up here before they start producing much by way of cones. I cut them to the ground, mulched them up well for the winter using the million pounds of dried leaves my new home provides, and the two remaining vines are resting until spring. This spring, I will put in 5-10 more vines (way too much for one person, but I’ve found the hops to be no muss, no fuss, and I like my friends), and within a few years, I will be producing every ounce of hops I uese all eyar long. Big, big fun! I brewed a super-easy beer with my buddy Colin yesterday, and there was much drinking. I also have the saddest story ever told about mead. Both coming this very week! G’night, hops!