Annual "My Hops Are Up" Thread

Just added twine to the poles in my two barrel containers today, Columbus and Centennial. 4th year for the plants and they are about just under a foot. Frost got some of younger shoots a couple days ago, but the majority of the vines toughed it out.

 

Did the Goldings grow well Down Under? Do you have expectations on how closely these hops will taste vs. English (or other northern hemisphere location) grown Goldings?

Cheers!

 

Well I only planted the rhizome in Sept/Oct last year in a 1/2 wine barrel, but it grew up to about 3m and I ended up harvesting on the weekend and got just under ~40g/1.4oz (dried weight) of hops from it - so I'd say that it grew reasonably well? We have chickens and good soil, so that has helped with our other plants (fruit etc).

I have no expectations because it's the first time for me growing hops! For what it's worth, the aroma of the hop cones themselves definitely falls into the floral/herbal/earthy/noble sort of profile (no citrus etc whatsoever), so that seems to line up with what should be expected.

I have an ex-brit homebrewer friend that I'll be sure seek judgement from

 

The first year you will see a small yield. Hopefully next year and the years thereafter you will see increasing yield.

FWIW I have one hop plant in my back yard and I solely utilize it to make a wet hopped Harvest Ale. I pick the hops as the wort is boiling.

Cheers!