genetic relationship between hops and hemp, but if you examine the smell of each there will be little doubt in your mind.


They share a common set of aroma compounds called terpenes. These contribute to the nose and microbial stability in beer production. Additional compounds in hop resins are responsible for part of the aroma, plus flavour and bitterness of beer.


Each brewer creates an individual style by choosing different hop varieties, extracting measured amounts at various times in the brewing process, and by choosing the geographic origin of the hops.


As with many other fruits and herbs, terpenes dominate the aroma and are most pronounced when the fruit or herb is grown in a cool climate region.


As a winemaker, the lack of varietal character is immediately obvious to me when I encounter (say) a muscat wine grown in a warm region. Muscat varieties derive their aroma from terpenes. Brewers recognize the difference as well. There is a rule of thumb in brewing, that good hops are grown north of the 45th parallel. A recent survey of B.C. craft brewers revealed that they would be willing to pay a premium price for locally sourced hops.


Establishing a hopyard is not a trivial decision. Investigate your market first, and then plant a test plot of potential varieties. Take your time. Pick only the best sites that you can find. Do any soil or site remediation before you plant. It’s a big commitment to start on a journey to nurture fields of telephone poles for the next 25 years. As opposed to grapes and fruit trees, hopyards are populated from rhizome cuttings, not woody shoots. During each growing season, shoots arise from nodes on the rhizomes and are trained on twine toward the support wire at the top of tall posts. At ripeness, snip the string and collect the cones. Cut the shoots back to ground level when you prune.


10 British Columbia Berry Grower • Spring 2017


stock to avoid starting with virus infections. Rhizomes imported into B.C. must have a phytosanitary certificate but there are several reputable B.C. sources with a wide range of hops suited to B.C. Hops are heavy feeders, and depending on your soil type and your location will probably require irrigation and multiple nitrogen applications during the season.


Although hops can be grown organically, there will be no free ride. Hops are subject to fungal diseases, insect infestation, and deer grazing. It’s also essential to plant certified


Compost can provide up to 15 per cent of the nitrogen that hops will require and may help with weed control. Some hopyards plant rhizomes on a square grid so a tractor can pass in either direction. Post-harvest, the quality of hop cones declines quickly, so it’s a good idea to plant your hopyard with a series of hops that will ripen in succession, thus spreading the harvest over an extended period. The bottom line is that we may be experiencing a “second coming” for hops in BC, 50 years after the death of the last hops industry. Are you in?


— Gary Strachan is a well-known consultant to the province’s wine industry and a former Agriculture


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