Stephanie Hagenaars
These hops are in their second year of growth after being planted last summer at the Emo Agricultural Research Station in a trial to see how the crop grows here. The crop can grow up to one foot per day and some can reach 25 feet in length full grown. A “pole yard” was constructed as these impressive sizes require space and a trellis system to support their vine-like structure. Hops is the bittering agent used in popular beer styles, such as the IPA. Kim Jo Bliss, research technician at EARS, said the crop can take five years to produce but if the hops yard is successful, hopefully it will encourage others in the area to grow the crop as “the local breweries are interested in having access to local hops.”