For a couple of weeks this spring we’ve been trying to stop by Dan and Sally’s house to visit. We have some information to share about the neighborhood, but honestly, my ulterior motive was to check in on Dan's hop growing enterprise (and get a sample of the latest).
They’ve got a vegetable garden over there where they try to use organic approaches – they have been able to grow a substantial share of summer vegetables for the past few year.
Dan also started growing hops last year with two rows of three vines (see the Beaver Run Brewery label for more information) – this year, he has upped the operation to include three Cascade vines, and he is looking at the viticultural infrastructure investment he’ll need to make in new trellises.
Let’s start with the product though…He’s a home brewer and makes 5-gallon batches from time to time. We sampled – and the photo here is of it – the Flat Tale Competition IPA. He is looking for contests to submit this brew to; it will be bottled crown-style as opposed to the popular recycled Grolsch bottles shown here. This was a great beer, as was the one we had last fall.
Last year, Dan’s entire production of hops was six ounces, if I recall correctly, enough for three batches. This year, he’s already harvested a pound of hops, with more coming off the vine every week, as shown in the two close-up pictures.
During our visit, we were also treated to a feast of ribs smoked on the grill with hickory that Dan had gathered from the yard. Delicious! I mentioned the veggies they grow – the ribs were paired with a salad picked fresh from the garden patch. Thanks Sally and Dan!
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