Wild Hops

[Bodger]

We live out in the sticks and I know the location of two seperate hedgerows that have lots of what I presume are wild hops growing on them.
Would there be any mileage in collecting them at the right time of year and trying to do something with them ?

[Gurgeh]

if you're feeling experimental, then yes - I would think about knocking up some 1 gallon extract brews to see what they're like before going to all teh effort of an AG brew.

you could send contact brewlabs to see if they'll figure out AA% for you...

Is there a known variety of wild hop?

[Bodger]

I'm not sure to be honest. There has never been a history of hop growing or beer brewing in our area and the hedges are in isolated spots , so hopefully they are not an ornamental species gone feral.

[jaytee1]

Ive also spotted a huge hop plant on a walk in these parts and plan to harvest them sometime towards the end of the growing season. I think though that they need to be dried first before use. Perhaps someone else can clarify that.

Gurgeh - 1 gallon demijohn extract brews first off would def be the way to go.

JT

[jaytee1]

Ive also spotted a huge hop plant on a walk in these parts and plan to harvest them sometime towards the end of the growing season. I think though that they need to be dried first before use. Perhaps someone else can clarify that.

Gurgeh - 1 gallon demijohn extract brews first off would def be the way to go.

JT

[charlie]

I think though that they need to be dried first before use. Perhaps someone else can clarify that.

JT

You don't need to dry them first just bear in mind that they have a very high water content when you are guessing how much to put in.

[anomalous_result]

hopefully they are not an ornamental species gone feral.

I've got some hops growing in my garden, how do I tell if they're ornamental varieties? Is it a case of suck it and see or do brewers varieties have outward signs of their usefulness? And if they are ornamental does that effectively rule them out completely for use in a brew or is it just that they are not commericially viable strains so may still be of some use?

[Bodger]

We have a golden hop in the garden and as far as I know, all that you get from them are leaves without any hops on them.