Brewing beer is a hobby that has been growing in popularity for the last several years. There are so many different kinds of ales that people seem to love experimenting with their own varieties and flavors to get a unique taste. You don't need to purchase expensive equipment or ingredients to get into the hobby. If you fail at your first attempt, it is easy to adjust the mixture and make a successful batch the next time. Some folks even try starting from scratch with their own Illinois homegrown hops.
You can purchase hop rhizomes, which are underground roots, online or from a commercial grower. There are different varieties to choose from. Once you have the plants, you will need to plant them in a sunny area that has good drainage and healthy soil. These vines are going to grow up to thirty feet or so, so you will have to put the plants in an area where there is room for a vertical pole or trellis.
The flowers are the first sign the plants are getting ready for harvest. It may take some time to get good at sensing when they are really ripe. A keen sense of smell, touch, and sight is necessary to gage their readiness. Since these vines are tall, you will need a ladder to get the fruit off the highest stems. Without a ladder, you will have to pull them down and strip the fruit off.
After you have the cones harvested, you will need to dry them thoroughly as soon as possible. If you are a serious grower, you might purchase a dehydrator to do the job. Most amateurs start off by spreading the fruit on a cloth or screen and putting them in a place where they are protected from the elements.
If you intend to use them right away, putting them in an airtight container should be fine. What you are not using immediately needs to be placed in zip lock bags and put in the freezer until you are ready to brew.
The next step can be the most difficult. You will have to determine the alpha acid content, and that can take some trial and error. If you have friends and family who are experienced in the brewing process, they may be able to give you some good advice.
One of the most attractive aspects of this hobby is the affordability of the ingredients. Most of the equipment you need for the process, you probably already have in your home. Because it's so inexpensive to do, you can afford to experiment with flavors and various strengths. Trying to sell it to make some extra money isn't a good idea however. It is best to share your batches privately.
Brewing beer can be a lot of fun and the more you do from scratch, the more unique your special brand will be. You'll impress everyone by starting with the plants and ending with the toast.
You can purchase hop rhizomes, which are underground roots, online or from a commercial grower. There are different varieties to choose from. Once you have the plants, you will need to plant them in a sunny area that has good drainage and healthy soil. These vines are going to grow up to thirty feet or so, so you will have to put the plants in an area where there is room for a vertical pole or trellis.
The flowers are the first sign the plants are getting ready for harvest. It may take some time to get good at sensing when they are really ripe. A keen sense of smell, touch, and sight is necessary to gage their readiness. Since these vines are tall, you will need a ladder to get the fruit off the highest stems. Without a ladder, you will have to pull them down and strip the fruit off.
After you have the cones harvested, you will need to dry them thoroughly as soon as possible. If you are a serious grower, you might purchase a dehydrator to do the job. Most amateurs start off by spreading the fruit on a cloth or screen and putting them in a place where they are protected from the elements.
If you intend to use them right away, putting them in an airtight container should be fine. What you are not using immediately needs to be placed in zip lock bags and put in the freezer until you are ready to brew.
The next step can be the most difficult. You will have to determine the alpha acid content, and that can take some trial and error. If you have friends and family who are experienced in the brewing process, they may be able to give you some good advice.
One of the most attractive aspects of this hobby is the affordability of the ingredients. Most of the equipment you need for the process, you probably already have in your home. Because it's so inexpensive to do, you can afford to experiment with flavors and various strengths. Trying to sell it to make some extra money isn't a good idea however. It is best to share your batches privately.
Brewing beer can be a lot of fun and the more you do from scratch, the more unique your special brand will be. You'll impress everyone by starting with the plants and ending with the toast.
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If you are looking for information about Illinois homegrown hops, come to our web pages online today. More details are available at http://hallowedhops.com now.
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