Home brewing bottled beer?!
Texas sun too hot?
Answers: Growing hops at home? Any suggestions? With the rising price of hops, it seems that growing hops is a good idea. Anyone out there doing this?
Texas sun too hot?
The Maltose Falcons link should cover everything you really need to know about growing hops. I suggest investing in a dehydrator if you don't own one already so that when you actually get around to harvesting your hops they will keep longer if you dry them and then freeze them.
On a side note, the hop shortage may not be so bad in the coming months. Keep in mind that the hops you're getting today were actually harvested months ago. The 2008 crop may change the current state of things.
If you're in desperate need of hops in the near future look to websites like hopunion.com to see if there is a less expensive and more readily available variety that you could substitute. For example, Ahtenum for Cascades.
It's easier to stop at the Texaco and buy a six pack. Or a twelve pack.
Be aware that hops vines need a trellis, they can get rather big/long - I know my aunt has them growing up her tennis court fence.
http://www.maltosefalcons.com/tech/growi...
Homegrown Hops
A good all around guide to growing your own hops, including information about drying & storing hops, and setting up a trellis for hop plants to climb.
By David R. Beach, 103pp
Book retails for about $11.00
Check out www.brewcrazy.com