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Growing Hops in the Maritimes
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:46 pm
by wortly
Just got word of this today. It is right in the heart of "SAAZ" country. If anyone is interested, contact Beth and she will sign you up. Not sure why the afternoon schedule bounces between 2:15 and 2:30.
Growing Hops in the Maritimes
Sunday, April 29
Sackville, NB - Coastal Inn
10:00 Registration
10:30 Getting started (Ron/Julien):
Site preparation
Soil health and fertility
Rhizome and planting stock
Variety selection
Trellis systems
Lunch 12:30-1:00 (soup/sandwich)
Calendar of work for hopyard management (Julien) 1:00-2:00
Testing options (Kevin Shiell and Aaron Mills) 2:15
Welcome brewers to meeting 2:30
Update on Maritime Hop Growers Association (Ashley) 2:15
Processing for hops (Kevin Shiell) 2:30
Discussions on varieties, quantities, quality, volumes etc.
Next steps
End of meeting 4pm
Cost is $45/person, including lunch (or $80/couple). Everyone with an interest in growing hops is welcome. Please RSVP by April 25th by emailing
Beth@cog.ca or call 506-878-2408.
This project was founded by the Maritime Hops Grower Association and is funded by the New Brunswick Agricultural Council, PEI ADAPT Council, Nova Scotia Agri-Futures, and the Government of Canada. The project is being managed by Beth McMahon, on behalf of the Canadian Organic Growers (
http://www.cog.ca" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).
Re: Growing Hops in the Maritimes
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:51 pm
by jeffsmith
Thanks for the heads up Aaron, strongly considering attending.
Re: Growing Hops in the Maritimes
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:53 pm
by chalmers
Roadtrip from Halifax anyone?
Do you figure this is also aimed at small-scale folks as well as potential farmers?
Good to see you today, wortly. Sorry I was out of sorts, trying to figure out a pesky contamination problem, that I'm pretty sure they were introducing in the system through a bad solvent or preparation step. Shortly before you showed up, we may have undone the work I'd done that morning with one dirty injection...
Re: Growing Hops in the Maritimes
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:23 am
by bluenose
I think I'll check this out if I can swing it
Re: Growing Hops in the Maritimes
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:26 am
by mr x
Do these guys do any historical research/presentation on hop growing in the maritimes?
Re: Growing Hops in the Maritimes
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:03 am
by akr71
Sweet! I'll see what I can move around to make it this. I'm planting 9 more plants this spring (when they get here) and plan on splitting my Zeus & Mt Hood & hoping I might be able to split the Goldings too.
Re: Growing Hops in the Maritimes
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 9:55 pm
by wortly
mr x wrote:Do these guys do any historical research/presentation on hop growing in the maritimes?
Not so much yet. This is geared more towards folks interested in ramping up production, and for getting the growers in touch with brewers. There are a couple of agronomists from out west who are scheduling farm visits for those folks serious about setting up a commercial hopyard. The organizers are interested in some homebrewer presence at the meeting as well.
Re: Growing Hops in the Maritimes
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:00 pm
by wortly
chalmers wrote:Roadtrip from Halifax anyone?
Do you figure this is also aimed at small-scale folks as well as potential farmers?
Good to see you today, wortly. Sorry I was out of sorts, trying to figure out a pesky contamination problem, that I'm pretty sure they were introducing in the system through a bad solvent or preparation step. Shortly before you showed up, we may have undone the work I'd done that morning with one dirty injection...
Nothing like a dirty injection to mess things up. Dr. G has been having some serious problems with that tech.
Re: Growing Hops in the Maritimes
Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:40 am
by Dirt Chicken
chalmers wrote:Roadtrip from Halifax anyone?
Do you figure this is also aimed at small-scale folks as well as potential farmers?
Good to see you today, wortly. Sorry I was out of sorts, trying to figure out a pesky contamination problem, that I'm pretty sure they were introducing in the system through a bad solvent or preparation step. Shortly before you showed up, we may have undone the work I'd done that morning with one dirty injection...
I'm down for a road trip, can pitch gas and music!!
Re: Growing Hops in the Maritimes
Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 4:31 pm
by bluenose
I'm planning on heading up too methinks and I could carpool from New Glasgow, or from Truro for you HRM types
Re: Growing Hops in the Maritimes
Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 1:06 pm
by bluenose
To all my fans:
I will be unable to attend the hop growing course scheduled for tomorrow.
Peace out!
Re: Growing Hops in the Maritimes
Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:41 pm
by mr x
So did anyone attend?
Re: Growing Hops in the Maritimes
Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 9:30 am
by akr71
I went and wortly was there. There was at least 1 other homebrewer, but I didn't catch his name.
Lots of good info, but the section on disease and pest management was probably the most useful to me (tho', fingers crossed, that has never been a problem).
Most discouraging - the cost of a commercial harvester, but this looks promising (
http://www.bineimplement.com/Home_Page.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
Re: Growing Hops in the Maritimes
Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 9:40 am
by mr x
Many brewers there?
Re: Growing Hops in the Maritimes
Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 9:56 am
by akr71
mr x wrote:Many brewers there?
None. Unless you count the couple that are trying to open the brew-pub in Antigonish. They didn't really talk though.