F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question? 


Q. Are all the varieties of hops on your website available?
A. Our website is current and up-to-date, if for some reason we have sold out of a variety you we're wanting we will many times replace it with a substitute to brew with.
Q. Do you do your own pelleting?
A. Yes, we do. In 2003, we installed a California Pellet Mill directly on our farm which enables us to produce our own Type 90 hop pellets. Pellets are available in 1,5,11, and 44 pound standard industrial packaging to accommodate large and small hop needs.
Q. Do you give farm tours?
A. We do give tours and would enjoy letting you see our farm and its operations.

A tour usually lasts around 30 minutes. As we typically begin harvest mid-August and run through to mid-September, I would suggest you visit us then because there is so much more to see. Harvest time here on the farm, is usually very fast paced so we ask if you would please let us know ahead of time and we can schedule you in on a tour.
Q. Do you have any hop plugs? or only leaf/pellet?
A. We grow our own leaf hops and then Pelletize them...sorry, no hop plugs here.
Q. Do you have any organic hops?
A. Yes, but it changes frequently. Please contact us for a current list.
Q. Do you have plants for sale for a small user such as myself?
A. We do sell hop roots (Rhizomes) from March to May. The varieties are only the ones that we grow here on our farm. If interested, email us and we'll put you on our mailing list.
Q. Do you have rhizomes year round?
A. No we do not…hop rhizomes are dug early in the spring and available typically from March to May…if you like, email a request to be put on the spring newsletter and we’ll get you line up with the new year hop Rhizomes.
Q. Do you sell Fresh Hop Vines?
A. Yes. Fresh, whole hop vines are available for purchase from August thru
September. They need to be ordered at LEAST 24 hrs. in advance. Overnight shipping is also a must and can only be carried out Monday-Thursday each week and remember, this is a live cutting. Purchase, care & shipping are expensive so all shipments must be pre-paid..serious inquiries only, please. With all that being said, fresh hop vines do make great hanging decorations for above a bar, railing, over doorways and we frequently ship fresh vines for wedding decorations each summer.
Q. Do you ship your rhizomes internationally?
A. Sorry, the Department of Agriculture regulations do not allow us to.
Q. How are your homebrew hops packaged for shipping?
A. It is a required standard that all hop growers send samples to the state for inspection, leaf and stem reports, etc., during harvest. So initially, when we began packaging our small orders, we used our 3" extractor to remove the required amount of hops from our compressed 200 lb. bales.

Leaf -- cut directly from our bale and sealed in a light-impermeable mylar bag, our hop leaf arrives at your doorstep as fresh as possible. Pellets -- all of our type 90 hop pellets are vacuum sealed in mylar bags.
Q. How are your hops stored after harvesting?
A. We have three on-site, walk-in cold storage units for day-to-day use here on the farm, and we warehouse the rest of our hops for long term storage.
Q. How is the best way to plant hop Rhizomes?
A. It's easy , watch our how-to Hop TV Video Episode #1
Q. How should hops be stored?
A. Hops (either leaf or pellet) should be sealed as tightly as possible to keep air exposure to a minimum, stored in the refrigerator or freezer (Anheuser Busch likes 17 degrees for their hops) and, if possible, stored away from light, as well.
Q. I already have small shoots sprouting. Is it too late to fertilize?
A. No it is not. We have just finished spreading "barnyard" this month in our fields. Just make sure it is a mild application...many have good luck with leaf feeds such as Miracle Grow...and we do repeat fertilizer applications later in the summer when the hops begin to burr (cone development).
Q. I am interested in getting some hop vines to make garlands. I was wondering if you supplied these to individuals and, if so, when the harvest season begins?
A. Generally, they are only available during the harvest months -- August through September. The vines are cut fresh in the morning, boxed, and shipped the same day. We recommend using UPS 2nd Day Air or Next Day Air to insure freshness.
Q. I am looking for hop plants for my own yard also. I would like to start with the gold hop. Do you have this?
A. Actually, we don't have the golden hop on our farm. It is not used commercially in the brewing industry. I do know it can be found in specialty greenhouses, but can be hard to find.
Q. I have Japanese beetles on my hops--what can I do that is safe for the hops and use in homebrew?
A. Well it's difficult to recommend anything from this end but, here are a couple helpful tools for identification of your pests & diseases: Hop Pocket Guide and Pocket Guide of Natural Enemies
Q. I planted my hop roots three years ago. The first-year growth was better than the second year growth. Any suggestions?
A. There could be many reasons...location, soil type, fertilizer or lack of, variety/zone, etc. Remember that this is a vigorous growing vine and will need a good watering weekly, provided mother nature does not allow enough naturally. Be sure to plant hop roots in a full-sun location.
Q. I'd like to make a hop-pillow. Can you inform me what I would need to do this?
A. We do have a product we sell pretty much for Hop/Sleep pillows and poultices -- it's called Hop Mill Run. Simply put, it is a blend of loose leaf hops that get mixed up after a days work and are stored in a large drum for reuse.
Q. I'm driving by... Can I stop by and pick up an order?
A. Sure... no problem, when ordering on-line just note this in our "comment box" that you would like to stop by and pick up your order. Plan to stop at the office first, not the warehouse, and please place your order
with us AT LEAST 24 hrs. in advance. That way we can assure you of having someone here to assist you when you arrive. Our warehouse pick-up hours are 9:00 - 4:00 M-F, PST.
Q. Just wondering if it is true that hops can increase woman's bust size? Thank you.
A. BELIEVE IT OR NOT...WE DO GET ASKED THIS QUESTION A LOT!!!

And to our knowledge, no. (BOY THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT SELLING TOOL!) But here are some specific studies on estrogen & other uses of hops...to read more simply follow these links:
Q. Question about rhizomes, I am moving and wonder if I can take my rhizomes with me?
A. We do not recommend moving hops during the months of May-August if you can help it, during the hop plants growing season. One suggestion would be to dig your hop plant ahead of time and transplant it into a large container prior to your move. Another suggestion, simply come back in the late fall or early spring and dig/transplant the rhizomes from the old location.
Q. What is the best time of year to dig hop roots or rhizomes?
A. Commercially, we dig our hop roots the end of February or first of March depending on the weather and as for planting we try to get new hop roots back into the ground soon afterwards.
Q. What temperature is the storage warehouse?
A. Anywhere from 28 to 34 degrees Fahrenheit ....depending upon which warehouse you are in.
Q. What varieties of hops do you grow on the farm?
A. We grow 15 different varieties here on the farm and they include: Bravo, Cascade, Centennial, Columbus, Chinook, Cluster, US Fuggle, Galena, US Magnum, Mt. Hood, US Northern Brewer, Nugget, US Perle, US Tettnanger, and Willamette.
Q. Where do I find pickled hops?
A. Here! We do carry Pickled Hop Shoots both peppered and regular. We work through a commercial canner locally, each spring..usually in April. Check out our Hop Store for availability!
Q. I spoke to you about hop breads. My grandmother gathered yeast to make bread from the hops plant that grew in their backyard years ago and now I have a renewed interest in this because I'm looking into building an outdoor earth oven to bake bread.
A. We have found the old box which was sold about 1910-1920 of hops with this recipe on it: TO START YEAST Boil one half pound Hops in one gallon water, half an hour; strain and stir in one-half pint fine malt flour, strain again through a coarse cloth and boil for ten minutes; when lukewarm, stir in one-half pound brown sugar; place in a jug and keep in a warm place until it works over, then cork tight and keep in a cool place for use.
Q. I have been looking everywhere for Galaxy Hops sold in the US, is there any chance that you will be importing and selling these?
A. Galaxy is a newer type hop variety out of Australia…but this year we are bringing in Nelson Sauvin from down under for brewers to try. Sorry, will put that on the wish list!
Q. I understand you sell rhizomes from March to May. I am definitely interested, but have a few questions. How many should I buy per planting? What varieties will you have for a hot and dry climate?
A. When planting a specific hop variety, we would recommend planting 2-3 rhizomes per hill, per variety. That ensures good, vigorous vines each year and they will grow up and around each other. For hot & dry climates I would recommend the Nugget, Galena, Chinook or Magnum. AND believe it or not, the Cascade does pretty well too.
Q. Are all of you imported hops of the 2010 crop?
A. We receive our new crop imports about the first of January, each year….we try to order enough to last us through another 12 months.
Q. Do you have dwarf hop rhizomes for sale?
A. Currently there is only one Semi Dwarf variety being grown on low trellis. It is Summit and the AOHGA has patent rights for it. Other varieties used are public varieties that are simply grown on low trellis. There is some stuff happening in the breeding programs and UK varieties are being looked at a well….but at this point none are available.
Q. Do you sell sorachi ace rhizomes or Amarillo rhizomes?
A. Sorry, we do not…those varieties are either royalty protected or impossible to source.
Q. Do you think you will have any citra rhizomes available this year?
A. Good question, this new variety is being held pretty tight…so much so, even us farmers cannot get any.
Q. Does your farm grow “super cascades” or is this a new variety?
A. There really is no new variety….alpha is different from year to year and sometimes a field will have a higher than typical alpha, depending upon the weather.
Q. Hi, I have heard that your company sells aged or old hops. Do you sell them to home brewers? I would love to buy a bunch if you do have them and would sell them to me.
A. Yes, we have aged hops or better known around here as “choice debittered” in both leaf and pellet. And of course, we also offer them in 1# sizes to the homebrew folks!
Q. How is the best way to plant hop Rhizomes?
A. It's easy, watch our how-to Hops TV Video Episode #1
Q. I am wanting some hops vines that are dried and more on the "ivory color" side rather that so much green. Do you have those? Or how do I get that effect?
A. Sorry, we only offer fresh cut live vines in the summer….if you want to color them, we have seen them spray painted….or just hang them in the sun & let dry…that will bleach them out also.
Q. I live in Vancouver and I was wondering if I could save the shipping price and purchase 2 pounds of hops and pick them up when driving thru?
A. Certainly, BUT your order needs to be placed & paid for 2 to 3 days ahead of time so we can be sure to have it all ready. Just make a note in your “comments” box or let the staff know when calling in the order.
Q. I noticed that you were offering US Challenger. I have never seen the US version before. Can you tell me the differences between the US and UK varieties?
A. Basically, its location-location-location. It is the same plant simply grown in a different country, soil type and weather conditions.
Q. Is there a special way to train or string my hops growing in our yard?
A. Not really, hops will grow anywhere… up a fence, trellis or string and, if interested, we can send you our hop twine or “coir” string…hops can be trained while young just gently twist the plant so it follows the sun (clock-wise in the upper hemisphere)
Q. Is there an order minimum? And how do you package the pellet hops for delivery?
A. We simply ask for a 1# minimum…that’s all. We package all our hops in 4 mil, APAK multi-layer barrier mylar pouches.
Q. Quick question - Any more simcoe pellets this year?
A. We do not grow or carry Simcoe, and as there aren’t many of this royalty protected variety available we have been subbing with Magnum’s with much success….and which are readily available and more economical.
Q. Quick question for you: I noticed in the newsletter you just emailed out that you sell hop vines (which I presume are cut down after harvesting). Out of curiosity, what do people use these for? Just decorations, or do they have a practical use?
A. Hop vines are sold in the summer months to florists, breweries and pubs and also for weddings as they make a pretty, eco-friendly decoration with cool, aromatic odor. Traditionally, garlands of hops were hung afresh every year - for good luck - in the pubs and farmhouses of the hop-growing areas of Europe.
Q. We are a brand new 'nano' brewery and in an attempt to keep costs competitive we are searching for high quality ingredients with competitive pricing. Do you offer different pricing for someone like us vs. a home brewer?
A. Certainly, we simply need to get you a credit application.…contact the office and we’ll work with you to get a business account set up!
Q. What is the best way to store my rhizomes before I plant them…it is still snowing here?
A. Simply store them in your veggie bin in the refrigerator until ready to use….just don’t let them dry out, keep them wrapped up
Q. What's the best way to use an ounce or two out of a one pound bag, and preserve the remainder of the pound for future use?
A. If at all possible, cut open your bag along the top seam…use what you need and then reseal your mylar with a hot iron (burp bag first) and protect your iron with some newspaper. Press hard & work on a solid surface to ensure a good seal. Toss in the deep freeze till ready to brew again.
Q. Will you have any Certified Organic rhizomes this year?
A. No, sorry we do not grow organics anymore.