How to Harvest Hops: A Complete Guide
How to Harvest Hops?
To harvest hops, it is best to pick them when they are over-ripe rather than under-ripe.
A ripe hop cone will feel light and dry, spring back after a squeeze, and have a pungent smell.
You can also listen for a cricket sound when rolling the hop next to your ear to determine if it is ready for harvest.
Hops can be picked by hand or by cutting down the bine.
In the first year, pick the cones and allow the bine to die off to allow nutrients to flow back to the root.
In following years, cut the bine carefully to avoid damaging the lupulin glands.
It is important to wear protective clothing, gloves, and goggles during harvest.
After picking, hops can be used fresh for a wet-hopped beer or dried for later use.
When drying hops, it is crucial to maintain low humidity and cool temperatures.
Hops should be dried for one to two days and should not exceed a temperature of 140°F (60°C).
To preserve hops, weigh and divide them into small bags, remove as much air as possible before sealing, and store them in a freezer.
Key Points:
- Harvest hops when they are over-ripe rather than under-ripe
- Look for light and dry cones that spring back after a squeeze and have a pungent smell
- Listen for a cricket sound when rolling the hop next to your ear to determine readiness for harvest
- Pick hops by hand or cut down the bine
- In the first year, pick the cones and let the bine die off
- In following years, cut the bine carefully to avoid damaging the lupulin glands
Did You Know?
1. The hops plant, which is used in brewing beer, is a relative of the cannabis plant and belongs to the Cannabaceae family.
2. The harvesting process of hops involves picking only the female flowers of the plant, as male flowers do not contribute to the flavor or aroma of beer.
3. The ideal time to harvest hops is determined by rubbing the cones between your palms. If they release a strong, pleasant aroma and feel papery to the touch, then they are ready to be harvested.
4. Hops are usually harvested by hand, as it allows for better selection and care of the cones. However, some larger hop farms utilize mechanical harvesters to streamline the process.
5. Harvested hops are then carefully dried to reduce moisture content, which helps to preserve their quality and prevent spoilage. This process, known as kiln drying, typically involves 24 to 48 hours of controlled heat and airflow.
Timing Of Harvesting Hops
Harvesting hops is an essential step in the brewing process, usually taking place between mid-August and September. Timing is crucial, as it greatly impacts flavor and aroma of the final beer. During this period, hop plants reach peak maturity, ensuring the best quality hops.
The timing of the harvest is dependent on desired hop characteristics. Picking over-ripe hops is generally preferred, as they have higher levels of aromatic compounds, contributing to unique beer flavors and aromas. Conversely, under-ripe hops may lack the desired full flavor profile.
Maturity of hop plants is another factor in determining the harvest timing. First-year plants yield a smaller harvest compared to second and third-year plants. As plants mature, they develop more robust and fuller hop cones, leading to a more abundant harvest.
Signs Of Ripe Hops
Knowing when the hops are ripe and ready for harvest is critical for obtaining the best quality product. Several indicators can help determine the ripeness of hop cones. When examining a hop cone, it should feel light and dry, indicating that it is ready to be picked. A ripe hop cone will also spring back after being gently squeezed.
Moreover, the aroma of a ripe hop cone is an essential sign of its readiness for harvest. The scent of a ripe hop cone can be described as a combination of cut grass and onion, with a pungent, distinct fragrance. Another technique involves rolling the hop next to your ear. If you hear a cricket-like sound, it is a strong indication that the hop is ready to be picked.
When examining the hop cone, it is important to look for the presence of lupulin, which is a thick yellow substance present on the outer surface of the cone. Lupulin contains the essential oils and resins that contribute to the hop’s bitterness and aroma. Its visibility confirms that the hop cone is fully matured and ready for harvest.
- Feel the hop cone: light and dry, ready to be picked
- Squeeze the hop cone: it should spring back
- Smell the hop cone: aroma of cut grass and onion
- Listen to the hop cone: cricket-like sound indicates readiness for harvest
- Look for lupulin: thick yellow substance on the cone’s surface, confirms maturity and readiness for harvest
Methods Of Picking Hops
There are two primary methods for harvesting hops – picking by hand or cutting down the bine, which includes the stems and vines.
For first-year hop plants, it is recommended to pick the cones by hand rather than cutting down the bine. This is because the bine plays a vital role in transporting nutrients back to the root system after the harvest. By picking the cones individually, the bine can continue to provide essential nutrients to support the plant’s growth and development.
However, in subsequent years, when the hop plants are more established, it is possible to cut down the bine carefully. When doing so, it is important to avoid damaging the lupulin glands that contain the valuable essential oils and resins.
When harvesting hops by hand, it is advisable to wear durable clothing, gloves, and goggles to protect against potential skin rash and cuts caused by the hooked hairs that cover the surface of the hop cones. These precautions ensure a safe and comfortable harvesting experience.
Drying And Storing Hops
After harvest, hops can be used immediately in a brew for a wet-hopped beer, or they can be dried for later use. Freshly picked hops contain about 80 percent water, so drying is necessary to reduce their moisture content and preserve their quality.
The drying process should not exceed three days, and the temperature should not surpass 140°F (60°C). It is crucial to prevent excessive heat, as it can degrade the oils and resins present in the hop cones.
Several methods can be employed to dry hops effectively. A food dehydrator, a well-ventilated oven, or a hop drying screen are all viable options. Regardless of the method chosen, it is important to ensure proper airflow to facilitate the drying process and prevent molding.
The target moisture content for dried hops is between eight to 10 percent. This range is ideal for long-term storage, as it prevents the growth of mold or the onset of rancidity. Properly dried hops retain their potency and flavors, ensuring optimal results when used in brewing.
To preserve hops for extended periods, it is advisable to separate them into one to two ounce bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing them. This reduces oxidation and extends the shelf life of the hops. Proper storage is crucial, as heat, oxygen, and light can all negatively impact the quality of hops.
- Drying is necessary to reduce moisture content and preserve quality
- The drying process should not exceed three days and the temperature should not surpass 140°F (60°C)
- Proper airflow is important to facilitate drying and prevent molding
- The target moisture content for dried hops is 8-10%
- Separate hops into one to two ounce bags to reduce oxidation and extend shelf life
- Proper storage is crucial to protect hops from heat, oxygen, and light.
Properly dried hops retain their potency and flavors, ensuring optimal results when used in brewing.
Tips For Efficient Harvesting
Efficiency is key when it comes to harvesting hops, especially if you have a sizable hop garden. Here are a few tips to help make the process more streamlined and productive:
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Wear appropriate protective gear: Long-sleeved clothing, gloves, and goggles should be worn during the harvest to protect against skin rash and cuts caused by the hop cones’ hooked hairs.
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Use a camping cookpot: Tie a cord to a sturdy camping cookpot and hang it around your waist. This allows you to have both hands-free for picking and speeds up the process.
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Minimize hops consumption: Although it may be tempting to munch on hops while picking, their bitterness can be unpleasant. Save the enjoyment for the final product.
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Process hops immediately: After picking, hops should be processed for storage immediately to preserve their oils and resins. Drying is the first step in the processing phase.
Long-Term Storage Of Hops
To ensure the long-term preservation of hops, proper storage is essential. Heat, oxygen, and light are the enemies of hops, as they can degrade the quality and flavor over time. Without proper storage, hops can lose their aroma and even become rancid within a month. Here are some tips for long-term storage:
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Keep hops cold and dark: Storing hops in the freezer helps maintain the freshness of their essential oils and resins. Cold temperatures slow down the degradation process, while darkness prevents the exposure to light that can deteriorate the hops.
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Vacuum pack hops: Using a vacuum sealer to pack hops helps remove excess air and minimize oxidation. This technique can keep hops fresh for at least 18 months.
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Use canning jars: Storing hops in canning jars provides a convenient and effective method of preservation. Ensure the jars are tightly sealed to prevent air exposure.
By following these storage practices, homebrewers can enjoy the full potential of their homegrown hops year-round, with each harvest contributing to the creation of unique and flavorful beers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you cut and dry hops?
To cut and dry hops, start by removing the bines from the trellis supports. Once removed, you can hang the entire bine up to dry. Find a dry location and use a line to suspend the hop bines off the ground. Usually, it takes around 24-48 hours for the hops to dry completely. However, if you want to speed up the process, you can use a fan or, even better, a dehumidifier to reduce drying time.
How do you get hops?
To obtain hops, one can either purchase them from nurseries or order them online. When cultivating hops in a home garden, it is advisable to plant them in hills, keeping a minimum distance of 3 feet between each hill. Conversely, in larger-scale operations, hops are typically cultivated in rows and encouraged to twine up wires, as displayed in the accompanying picture.
What is the best way to farm hops?
The most effective way to cultivate hops is to allocate a spacious area with ample vertical support, as hop plants have a lengthy lifespan of up to 50 years. It is crucial to select a sunny location, preferably facing south, to ensure optimal growth. Additionally, well-draining soil is essential for the health and productivity of hop plants. To prevent scorching, it is advantageous to find a spot that offers partial shade during the hotter hours of the afternoon.
How do you use fresh hops?
Fresh hops provide unique aromas and flavors to beer, and their utilization depends on the desired outcome. During the brewing process, fresh hops can be added at various stages. For instance, a boil addition extracts bitterness from the hops, contributing to the beer’s overall taste. Alternatively, adding fresh hops in the whirlpool can enhance the aromatic profile of the brew. Dry hopping with fresh hops is also a popular method, where the hops are added directly to the fermenter after primary fermentation, imparting intense hoppy aromas. However, it is important to bear in mind that because fresh hops spoil quickly, using them for both brewing and dry hopping in the same batch can be challenging.