So I was given a couple different rhizomes. I have had them in the ground now for a handful of years and are producing a nice amount of cones. I know it’s really hard to identify hops by cones. would anyone know if there is a company that you can send cones to for identification? Rough cost? Thanks
The shape of the leaves can partly identify the species. This may also help a little: https://www.brewersfriend.com/2009/10/10/identifying-hops-techniques/ If you can download this PDF article, it should also be of help (I had no problem downloading it - it could take a minute or two): https://www.researchgate.net/public...arieties_Using_Simple_Sequence_Repeat_Markers
I had a question about my hop plant in my backyard as regards identifying the specific variety. I sent photos of several cones and several leaves to Stan Hieronymus (he wrote 'the book' on hops) and he replied that the only way to know for sure is to have the plant genetically tested by a lab. I never pursued this so I have no idea who you can send the plant material for testing and a cost. Maybe contact the agricultural department of your local state university and ask about this? Cheers!
Some clues come from leaves, cones, and the bines. Having grown my own hops i kmow that leaves can vary on the same bine, cones can look differt on same bine, and the bine can be different from to to bottom (color or the ribs on the bine, or the whole bine at that section. The only way to know is DNA testing. DNA testing has been used in lawsuits in the hop industry.
Maybe this outfit would be a good place to start a conversation: https://www.aarlab.com/store/p100/Totalprofile.html They indicate, "If your sample is unknown, then use this profile, indicate "unknown" in your ID or submission form. We will run all the results through our database & GCMS and return the best fit for variety." Up to you if "best fit for variety" is conclusive enough to be worth $115.
