How's everyones hops plants doing so far?

[brenmurph]

Did I read something that said I can't/won't be able to harvest hops in the first year?
I planted the rhizomes in March this year (Mar 13), the plants have shot up and just noticed this evening the thing is full of cones. Are these useable or is it preferable to wait until next year?... They do look and smell like hop cones!... Just wasn't at all expecting anything this year, so had put the whole hop thing to the back of my mind, will be a nice surprise if I have some to use!... Just curious what I originally read or heard to make me think I had to wait 1 year+?

That may be grapes ur thinking of 

[Tom]

Aye you can use them, they just don't do their best for a few years.

I've finally got some cones ready on my Fuggles. The lupulin trebled overnight!

[ColMack]

Out of 1kg of wet Target hops I ended up with 278g dried and bagged.  I didn't believe the figures quoted here for moisture %, but as usual the info was accurate!

[montofk]

Thanks all for the responses.... Will be great to even get a 100g out of it... Strangely it's the cascade that's hopped out, there's a nearby EKG that's done nothing so far.... I'd have thought the EKG being more used to this climate would have done better...

So is there a window for getting these picked? I've actually planted these up at my folks place, and won't be up there again until mid October... Can I wait until then or do I need to be picking them off and saving them as they reach full size? When I saw at the weekend, there were a few good sized ones but a lot were little, think more will come if I wait but don't to be losing those first ones in the way that might happen to fruit, ie first fruits out go off or fall off or get eaten etc ...... Does that happen to hop cones? (silly question possibly!) or will the hops stay on the plant and remain healthy until the cold weather takes hold and puts everything back into hibernation?

[Tom]

Eventually it will go into hibernation. First frost usually. As for the hop cone size, as far as my experience goes they've reached the size they'll get to by now.

I'm about to harvest my Fuggles as it's JUST about ready, but the rest as still another week at least!

On the plus side, I don't have time to brew till next week.

[imark]

I'm going to brew a wet hop beer with my cascade this Sunday. They'll be picked and in the pot within 2hrs.

I was surprised at how much more cones they produced that the fuggles also. My EKG ratted in the ground.

[brenmurph]

Ive two keggs of the Fresh hop lager and its only gorgeous go for it

[Tom]

#FFS bren, you're making harp sound good!

[brenmurph]

Tom its very good...I told yis the recipe...how can it not be good?

Lager malt, Pilsner malt
Decocted / caramelised
Hallertauer hops
Saaz hops
and a clean lager yeast
4 weeks on ice

and with fresh hops

to quote Ryan harvey, Tim Hawn Sam Calagione from Dogfish brewery re their seasonal wet hop american summer

"Fresh hops add a unique flavour that just cant be got from processed hops"

[nigel_c]

My first year home grown hops will be making the ultimate sacrifice and heading into the kettle tomorrow for my Christmas beer. Surprised how much I got for the first year.

[brettdundee]

My hops seemed to love this hot still summer - my best crop in ten years, even though I think I neglected them as much as usual   



That's my 8 foot long hen house on the left now barely visible..  I pretty much need a machete now to get to the eggs and provide food and water.



Here they are bursting out every orifice. This door is not accessible until harvest day.



I planted a few plants along this fence three years ago thinking they would like it. 2011 & 2012 there was no growth (couple of spindly 1 foot high vines) . Then 2013 - 30 foot of the 5 foot high fence is a hops wall.
You might notice the hops under plastic in the background.

Does anyone have any idea how to dry this quantity ?

[johnrm]

I used these yokes before...
http://www.ikea.com/ie/en/catalog/categories/departments/childrens_ikea/20477-2/

[Shane Phelan]

I must not have dried mine enough, half of them went brown in the fridge. Didn't vacuum them as I had planned to use them in a couple of weeks. Ah well...

TT

[brettdundee]

Just now broaching the idea with the missus of a trip to Ikea and sprucing up the decor in the dining room - Its the latest fashion;



Imagine the smell !!

[Tom]

Sigh... no fresh hop ale till next year then.