Time to Harvest our Hops!

It’s hard to believe that it’s already August and it’s time to harvest our homegrown hops!  The Chinook, Cascade, Columbus, and Centennial hops have filled in with large, verdant leaves and the hops cones are glowing neon green.  The Columbus did not grow as strong this year, but a few bines were ready to be harvested in July, and a few more this week.   The Centennial (in its third year), did better than the past two years, but still has not produced enough to brew a 5 gallon batch.  The Chinook is booming this year, and also has a few bines ready, so we picked them on Sunday, dried them on screens over a fan for 48 hours, vaccuum sealed them tonight and stuck them in the freezer until we’re ready to brew!

Our hops harvest count (dry weight) for 2023 is currently:

Columbus – 

7/24/23 – 2.0 oz (dry)

8/21/23 – 3.0 oz (dry)

Chinook – 

8/21/23 – 4.0 oz (dry)

…and much, much more to come!!

Cheers!

The Brewholder

Copyright 2023 – all rights reserved 

Brewtrip – Pittsburgh!

I’ve loved the Steel City for years and try to visit as often as I can.  2023 has been a great year – three trips to the ‘Burgh already!  And what a vibrant craftbeer scene!  From crispy Kolsch at Dancing Gnome to heavenly beers at Church Brew Works to Spicy Pickle Beer at East End Brewing, there’s a beer for everyone in Pittsburgh.  Check out some of my highlights-

Amen for Church Brew Works!
MMHMMM Raspberry & Peanut Butter – a sour? Yes – and it was amazing!
Prost! Hofbrauhaus is a great warm up for Oktoberfest!

Dancing Gnome’s “Not Always Present” was literally the perfect beer on this beautiful Saturday afternoon with my dudes!
Another Pittsburgh OG, Penn Brewery is still brewing a solid Dunkel!
Now that Victory and Southern Tier are tied to the hip, I can drink Victory Prima Pils at Southern Tier’s brewery before a Pirates game!
Cinderlands Warehouse – enjoyed this “Dad Beer- Tracks Again”!
East End and Primanti Brothers made it Spicy this year!
Let’s go! East End makes some solid beers!
Trace Brewing – loved the vibe!
Aslin Brewing – great spot to hang!

Cheers!

The Brewholder

Copyright 2023 – all rights reserved