Being There

Cascades

Well after waiting a couple of seasons for the root ball to finally establish itself, I have successfully harvested and dried enough hops to make at least
60 gallons of IPA.
I have to admit, this is by far the longest vine that I have ever grown. Shoot after shoot kept coming and before I knew it, I had about 1 1/2 gallons of hops with the first picking (late August). I am hoping to get about the same yield with the late harvest. One brewer said brewing with just Cascades would make a really bitter brew. I said, "Perfect!"

While we are on the subject, Jessica and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary this month, and our date started at Hops and Vines. Alex, the owner of Hops and Vines, won the Highland Brewing home brew contest. Highland brewed five-hundred gallons of Alex's Smoked Butte Porter, and Alex said the brew was almost identical to the batches he made himself. Not a bad way to start a date.