Making your own beer in the privacy of your own kitchen has really grown in popularity over the last few years. Many people love experimenting with flavors, strengths, and mixtures that give completely different results. It can be a fun pastime that does not require extremely expensive equipment and ingredients. Some even go so far as to try their hands at Illinois homegrown hops instead of purchasing the fruit ready for brewing.
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.
Once you have the fruit off the vine, you have to set them out to dry as soon as possible. People who do this all the time invest in a dehydrator for the purpose. Unless you decide to become a serious brewer, you will probably settle for arranging the fruit on a cloth or an old screen that has been protected from any moisture or direct sunlight.
The next step is to store the dried hops. You need to get them into a sealed container and keep them there if you are going to use them in the next few days. If you want to keep them longer, you should put them in zip lock freezer bags, deflate the bags to remove excess air, and store them in the freezer until you are ready to use them.
The final step can be the most challenging. This is where trial, error, and experience really come in. Determining the alpha acid content is something you may have to consult experienced friends and family about. There are plenty of articles and recipes online that can help you with this as well. Many brewers suggest placing the hops in a piece of cheesecloth when adding them to the boil.
One of the nice things about planting and cultivating your own hops is the lack of special equipment you need and the experimenting you can do on your own with the different varieties and flavors. Selling homebrew may be tempting, but it is not usually a good idea. These batches should be for your own enjoyment and something to share with friends at home.
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.
Once you have the fruit off the vine, you have to set them out to dry as soon as possible. People who do this all the time invest in a dehydrator for the purpose. Unless you decide to become a serious brewer, you will probably settle for arranging the fruit on a cloth or an old screen that has been protected from any moisture or direct sunlight.
The next step is to store the dried hops. You need to get them into a sealed container and keep them there if you are going to use them in the next few days. If you want to keep them longer, you should put them in zip lock freezer bags, deflate the bags to remove excess air, and store them in the freezer until you are ready to use them.
The final step can be the most challenging. This is where trial, error, and experience really come in. Determining the alpha acid content is something you may have to consult experienced friends and family about. There are plenty of articles and recipes online that can help you with this as well. Many brewers suggest placing the hops in a piece of cheesecloth when adding them to the boil.
One of the nice things about planting and cultivating your own hops is the lack of special equipment you need and the experimenting you can do on your own with the different varieties and flavors. Selling homebrew may be tempting, but it is not usually a good idea. These batches should be for your own enjoyment and something to share with friends at home.
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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