Beaverdam Brewery: The Great Hops Planting of 2009

Over the last two days I’ve spent some time digging up, relocating, removing and planting hops. Last year was the first year I planted hops. I ordered Cascade, Fuggles and Nugget rhizomes from American Brewing (I believe that’s the right name) down in Charlotte and every rhizome, eight total, sprouted bines. I did not get a harvest last year, but that isn’t uncommon, especially since I did not have the plants in the best place.

I didn’t know exactly where I wanted to plant them permanently, so I planted them in large pots last year. For the winter I was worried about the rhizomes surviving so I buried them in the ground. Over the last two days I dug up all eight rhizomes. I had four Cascades last year. I replanted three in their permanent homes and split the last one into three plants. I had two Nuggets that I split into five plants, two of which my neighbor will plant. I had two Fuggles that I split into five plants, two of which another neighbor will plant.

I did all of that Friday and I was outside seeding today when the mailman pulled up with the two rhizomes I ordered from Thyme Garden in Oregon. I promptly planted one Perle and one Centenial rhizome. As you’ll see from the pictures, the Perle looked nice and fat and the Centenial was rather paltry – I’m a little worried that one may not survive. I hope to trade one or more of my extras for Liberty rhizomes – that’s become a favorite of mine in my brown ales, but I couldn’t find any dealers selling them this year.

Hopefully come August or September I’ll be telling you about the bountiful hop harvest and maybe a Harvest Ale that I am brewing.

Here is the Cascade that I split.