Expert: John Snyder - 6/23/2006

Question
Yeah I should have told you that.  I live in Colorado, zip code 81235.  Thanks.
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Followup To

Question -
I am interested in getting started with homebrewing, and I was wondering about some particulars with ingredients, namely hops.  I have several hops vines of rather healthy size growing in my gardens, and though this is partly what inspired me to begin researching homebrewing, I know that there are many, many varieties of hops used in brewing, and that mine may not be a good one for that application.  The problem is that I don't even know what variety these vines are, as they were planted before I moved into my house.  Can you tell me anything about identifying different 'brands', and whether it might even be worth trying to use these hops at some point for brewing?  Thanks,
Dan

Answer -
Send me the state in which you live.Trehe are many varities of hops,and knowing where you live,may help me in identifying what your's are

Answer
There are a total of 20 varieties of hops,for brewing,grown in the USA.The states growing these hops are Washington,Oregon,and Idaho.I would suspect your hops are Idaho,grown in the Caldwell region,in Boise.Budweiser has their own hop farms in northern Idaho.
The process for preparing hops,for brewing is quite involved.Heat of 140 to 165F is required for hours to dry the hops,then cooling.This is in addition to the harvesting process.Stems and seeds have to be removed,as they are extremely bitter.The Idaho varieties are Zeus,Chinook,Galena,Nugget,Clusters Mt. Hood,Willamette.These hops represent aroma,bittering,and duel purpose functions in brewing.Clusters and Chinook hops have a resiny citrus like flavor and aroma.
Harvesting begins in late august.What is the status of your plants;height, cones etc.?Is it possible for you to E a good close up of the cones?It sure would help further determine the varieties.
I would not brew with your hops,until they were identified.

         John