After we harvested the hops this summer, I tried two different methods of drying, both suggested in the Homebrewer's Garden. The first method was to place the hops in a food dehydrator with a temperature control device. Since my dehydrator doesn't have said device, I took a risk and tried to keep an eye on them. Well, this didn't prove all that successful. Some of the hops got over dry on the outside (brown and crispy) while others were still retaining some moisture. I eventually pulled the plug on this method and bagged what I thought was salvagable in double Ziplock Freezer bags and put them in the freezer.
Method two was to air dry the hops in a paper grocery bag. This worked much better (the hops kept their coloring and dried completely. I am not sure if the occasional shaking dislodged some of the lupulin though. However, it was very aromatic to open the bag when finished drying, which took about how long the book said (I don't remember exactly but I think it was 3-5 days). This method was suitable because we had a managable amount of hops. If we had had a larger yield, another method of drying would probably be necessary. The hops dried this way were also bagged (separately from the dehydrator hops) and frozen.
Time will tell if the hops crop this year was a success as they were used in the Jumping Jack Steam Ale currently aging.
We also need to determine how and when to pick the hops, if there is a way to prolong production, and if the various varieties come into season at different times.
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When to pick: The different varieties do peak at different times, within about a month of each other. We need to record the growing degree day of peak so that we are more prepared for picking time in subsequent years.
How to pick: I think we started on the right path using a removable rope trellis on the silo. BUT the trellis did not go high enough, and did not go up / come down easy enough. I think individual trellises raised by pulleys will be needed as we expand around the silo adding more species.
Other Hops Notes: We need to be more aggressive in trimming away all but the main vines, and we need to compost more heavily with aged manure. I think this will strengthen the lupulin production (preliminary tasting notes of the Steam Ale show it may be slightly underhopped).
Oh. My. God.
Do you need that liquor license thingy to ship to Indiana?? When you start out-of-state sales, please let us know!!
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