Wild hops

[Scottyburto]

Hi all

I just got back from butlins skegness. Whilst there i noticed wild hops growing in large quantities on the shore side perimeter. I have no idea what variety or whether they're ready to harvest just that they were greenish moving to golden, good sized and very fragrant. I would've taken some but didnt fancy the grief from SWMBO and the kids regarding a 3 hr car journey smelling of hops!

Hope this helps someone!

 

[MonkeyMick]

I've seen those hops in that very same area, but have no idea what variety they are.

 

[foxy]

Two plants will smell the car out, hops you can't be arrested for. No good for brewing without knowing what they are but you could have a crack at making some IBU.
http://www.ibuaftershave.com/

 

[Gulpitdarn]

Just been and picked a load locally, again, no idea what sort they are but hands were very sticky after picking.... Will make a beer tonight!

 

[MonkeyMick]

Just been and picked a load locally, again, no idea what sort they are but hands were very sticky after picking.... Will make a beer tonight!

Interested to know what it'll turn out like!

 

[Gulpitdarn]

Well, I've just laid them all out ready for an early morning brew now as other things have got in the way this evening. Hopefully all the creepy crawlies will have left by morning.
I plan to do a very simple light DME (2kg) brew OG 1050, 100g hops (50g start of boil and 50g end of boil) boil for 30 mins. 15 litres Buxton spring water, 200g malto-dextrine, and a dollop of Kveik Voss yeast. By evening it should be fermenting nicely. Will certainly let you know of progress. With this type of yeast I could be drinking a nice beer by this time next week....

 

[terrym]

Because you have no idea of the %AA, your beer will have only a little bitterness, or too much (unlikely I know), or somewhere in between. Best of luck with it.
Although I wouldn't waste the Buxton water unless your tap water is rubbish.

 

[Gulpitdarn]

Because you have no idea of the %AA, your beer will have only a little bitterness, or too much (unlikely I know), or somewhere in between. Best of luck with it.
Although I wouldn't waste the Buxton water unless your tap water is rubbish.

I've a feeling that these hops won't be as good as commercially cultivated ones being as they are wild. I'm wondering if their stickiness and pleasant aroma gives any clue as to what a beer will turn out like. Thankfully I'm not really a bitter lover so I'm expecting something pretty much average. My tap water is better for darker beers. We'll see!

 

[stigman]

From what I've read if your using green hops use 4 times the amount you normally would. If it were me I'd bitter with something you know the ibu's of and throw a **** load of your wild ones in late on.

 

[terrym]

From what I've read if your using green hops use 4 times the amount you normally would. If it were me I'd bitter with something you know the ibu's of and throw a s**t load of your wild ones in late on.

When I dried my homegrown hops last week I ended up with about 23/24% of the as picked weight

 

[stigman]

When I dried my homegrown hops last week I ended up with about 23/24% of the as picked weight

That'll be why then, I must get some planted next year, I've never seen any wild near me.

 

[terrym]

That'll be why then, I must get some planted next year,

Recommend you read this first
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/...omes-growing-report.69518/page-21#post-841200
If you're in it for a bit of fun and expect little or no return on your investment and have a lot of time to devote on looking after your plants and harvesting your crop and storing it fine. If not??

 

[MrL73]

Well I managed to forage just under a kilo of wild hops last night. Currently got them drying out before vac packing them up. When crushing one in my fingers, there was a definite flowery/minty aroma which to my mind makes me think they are possibly a fuggle.. which I guess makes sense as the ubiquitous british hop. Looking forward to putting together a pale ale with a touch of magnum for bittering and then bunging a load of them in late on.

 

[chrisb8]

With the local hop harvest in full swing I cycled past a hop drying facility on a farm near me today, smelled lovely!