What are Hops? 

Hops (humulus lupulis) is a perennial herb used in the flavoring and preservation of beer. Hops give beer and ales their characteristic bitterness and aroma. Each variety of hop adds unique character to the brew. Hops also have reputed medicinal and soothing qualities when taken as a tea or tonic. Add hops to your pillow for a restful sleep. Hops are perhaps the most decorative of all dried herbs - their long vines, broad leaves, and prolific flowers can enrich your home with beauty and aroma as swags or wreaths. In the garden, hops can be used in arbors and trellises for unparalleled old time charm.

Brewer's Gold -  Alpha Acid 9.2% (7-11%) Cultivated from a wild hop from Manitoba, believed to be a truly native North American hop. Brewer's Gold is the ancestor of most major high-alpha hops grown around the world. Late maturing. 

Cascade -  Alpha Acid 6.2% (5-8.5%) A Fuggle cross that is a great dual purpose hop.   Often used for aroma - citrusy scents and flavors.  Mid to mid-late maturing.  Good producer.

Chinook - Alpha Acid 13.2% ( 13.9-15.3) Our strongest bittering hop.  Large cones with feathery skirts.  Mid to mid-late maturing.  Considered super-alpha by trade.

Liberty -  Alpha Acid 4-6%, sometimes lower.  Hallertauer cross with aroma and quality characteristics of noble hop.  Earlier maturing.

Perle - Alpha Acid -10-11%.  Northern Brewer cross.  Spicy flavors.  Early to mid maturing.

Saaz / Saazer - Alpha Acid - 4.2%.  Noble Czechoslavakian hop.  Pleasant aroma with mild bitterness for Pilsener-type beers.  Slow growing, low producer. Early maturing.

Sterling - Alpha Acid 6-9%.  Mid-maturing.  Considered suitable substitute for Saazer.

Vojvodina - Alpha Acid - 8.6% (6.1-10.5)  Northern Brewer and wild Yugoslavian cross.  USDA reports Vojvodina is very late maturing but ours mature early with very small cones.

Willamette - Alpha Acid - 6.6%.  Excellent producer with Fuggle ancestry and good substitute for Fuggle.  Aroma / dual purpose.  Heavy producer that is later maturing.

Clark - A heritage hop that was found in the hedgerows of the Stockbridge Valley.  Named by us after the property on which it was found.  Characteristics unknown.