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Has anyone had success growing hops for beer making? Any varieties which may do better in zone 3/colder climates?

Comments (11)

  • 9 years ago

    Not sure, do all hops make beer? My mother in laws hops are huge, no cover or laying down for winter needed.

  • 9 years ago

    There is hops growing wild around this area in a couple different locations, moist but sunny. No idea what variety

  • 9 years ago

    Thank you Wayne and Ubro, great to know they can survive. I shall see if I can order some rhizomes online and give them a try.

  • 9 years ago

    Hi. Last May I planted 4 varieties from Richters they came in little pots as plants as apposed to rhizomes. I got the ones most commonly use by Kraft brewers. Cascade,Centennial, Chinook and Hallertauer. I got 3 of each, for about 6.40 each. They all were alive last fall, The plants were not that big in the fall , but it was a wet year here and they got hammered by two hail storms that buried them. They are still under the snow so I can't give you a report. We have 3 large hop plants bought from the nursery that just said "Hops" but you can't seem to kill them. I've heard that all hops can be used in beer making, If these had any problems I'll will likely look for some Rhizomes. I'll get back on and give a report later. Chic.

  • 9 years ago

    Thank you so much Chic for the info! I would love to hear how your progress goes.

    I was thinking of trying Windhover Farm / Northern Girls Hops (https://www.windhover.ca/) as they are located in central Alberta, however most varieties are sold out.

  • 9 years ago

    I haven't tried making beer with my hops, but I have one in my yard that grows prolifically. I'm not sure of the variety, sorry. It came from the Walmart Garden Centre of all places! It grows back from the ground every year (not on old wood) but it grows HUGE. I sort of regret planting it where I did, actually. It is planted in a west-facing spot at the corner of my garage and I'd estimate it covers the wall up to about 8 or 9 feet high and probably the same distance across. It's a monster. So all this to say they definitely will overwinter here :) Also apparently you can eat the tender new shoots, although I haven't tried it.

  • 9 years ago

    I've seen several very healthy vines in Yellowknife; there must be at least one hardy cultivar out there.

  • 9 years ago

    Further to my post at the end of March all the hop varieties I listed survived last winter, there was decent snow cover, but our roses and a few shrubs caught hell, and had to be cut a way back. Re Davidcalgary29pr. Our old stand by we have had for years (no name, sold as a "hop") is a foot high! Must be similar to the Yellowknife Variety! Chic

  • 9 years ago

    Thank you for the update it is greatly appreciated.

    'Cascade' is settling in well for us. Found more hops plants at golden acre for $39.99, 1 gallon size. Healthy larger plants, but too steep a price for me.

    Been doing more research and learning there are both bittering and aroma hops for beer making, apparently 'Cascade' is good all around.

    If they can grow in Yellowknife, surely they can grow here!

  • 9 years ago

    Hops are quite hardy here. There are monster specimens in Calgary. Cilantro restaurant has one that grows 15 feet tall and 30 feet long.

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