Hops Harvest day

[brettdundee]

Hops Harvest day:
Its time for the hops harvest again.  Once again, I have way too many hops (Slightly more than last year) and I don't wish to see them go to waste. I don't have time to pick dry and sell them.
If your interested in picking some free fresh hops for your next brew, I have lots of Fuggles and Cascade and some Kent Goldings.

I was thinking of having a bit of a get-together at my place - "Hopsover Fest" in next couple of weeks, where we could -

1) pick hops for your next brew,
2) discuss brews, growing/processing hops, and any other shite.
3) sample a home brew or three

How does the afternoon of Sat 20th September suit?

[molc]

Wish I was in Limerick now. Would love to try an IPA with some fresh cascades.

[Shanna]

Hoping to be in Limerick that weekend, would love to drop out for a few hours on the Saturday afternoon. As far as I remember your in Birdhill? Let us know if you decide to change the date.

Shanna

[Eoink]

Brett , I can make that day . I will let Colin - the guy you met at the Scarriff seedsavers brewing demo - know it is on.

Eoin

[brettdundee]

I will let Colin - the guy you met at the Scarriff seedsavers brewing demo - know it is on.

Thanks Eoink.  Can you give him my email address and tell him to email me.

[brettdundee]

Same as last year, please PM me your email address if you are interested in coming to this event in Birdhill, Co. Tipperary.

I'd rather not post all details on the forum.

[Shanna]

Same as last year, please PM me your email address if you are interested in coming to this event in Birdhill, Co. Tipperary.

I'd rather not post all details on the forum.

Hi Brett

Will PM you closer to the date to get your details. Any hints on how to dry the hops?

Shanna

[brettdundee]

Any hints on how to dry the hops?

I always dried them in a sort of three tiered mesh cage thing that's designed for sun-drying tomatoes in Australia. It wouldn't dry tomatoes here, but it great for drying a largish amount of hops. It takes about two weeks hanging up in the kitchen.  They need to be turned regularly as the hops near the center don't dry. 

Your question prompted me to do a little experiment I should have done before. Over the weekend I harvested a peck of hops and
1) put some in my usual mesh drier
2) put some in the electric fruit drier. (95degF for 8 hours and they were done)
3) Put some in a paper bag in the hot press

I'll get some idea of the results later in the week.  Already I'm leaning towards the electric fruit drier. I never used this for hops before because it didn't hold larger amounts, but because its so fast, I could actually process way more over a week.

[brettdundee]

We are good to go this Saturday;

Format :
   2pm Setting up.
   3pm Picking hops.
   7pm BBQ (€10 per head)
   8pm weigh and distribute hops.

Location : Birdhill. Co. Tipperary

Please PM me if you are coming so I can get enough food, and send you directions.

Brett

[Chris]

Brett would love to make it but my inconsiderate sister has decided to get married that day.

[brettdundee]

but my inconsiderate sister has decided to get married that day.

Excuses, Excuses !
Only one thing for it. Just hang around for the church and photo after, then dart off to Birdhill. So long as you're back for the last dance no-one will notice.

[brettdundee]

Well,
Weather's looking promising 18deg and sunny.
Looks like we have 10 pickers and two possibles (not including Chris who has an inconsiderate sister), so we should have a good peck picked in a few hours, then onto the BBQ.

[johnrm]

Hey Brett, confirming that I will not be on attendance.
Enjoy the day all!

[Shanna]

Hey Brett, confirming that I week not be on attendance.
Enjoy the day all!

Anybody else from Cork going to be there as I have your Ahtanum John.

Shanna

[johnrm]

Thanks Shanna,
Are you staying at your sisters?
You could leave them there.
I will be passing at some stage.