Hop ID

[martinr82]

Guys

I found some hops growing in a hedgerow by the side of the road near me. I know that sounds like a tall tale, but it is legitimately true.

I think they might be saaz, but not 100%

[Jim]

I don't have a clue, but I do know that the actual physical size of the hop cones helps with identification, so if you could put a ruler in the photo it might help someone who knows about these things.

[martinr82]

Hi Jim

Thanks for that. As advised, a picture with a ruler

[Rookie]

I don't have a clue, but I do know that the actual physical size of the hop cones helps with identification, so if you could put a ruler in the photo it might help someone who knows about these things.

As long as the hops grow a uniform size. I recently harvested my goldings and had a pretty wide variance in size: from some a bit bigger than the end joint of my little finger to some that were nearly as big as my thumb.
And the same deal with my sterlings.

[scuppeteer]

I think they might be saaz, but not 100%

Do you live in Czech Martin?

[martinr82]

I dont, but its the closest I could find by appearance (which I know isnt an exact science)

I live near Basingstoke

[scuppeteer]

I dont, but its the closest I could find by appearance (which I know isnt an exact science)

I live near Basingstoke

OK thought so. Saaz are only grown in Czech. What you have there is a random wild hop that has been self seeded by a random bird. If it smells like a hop then use them in a brew. Any hint of onion or garlic then don't bother. The vast majority of wild hops are good for brewing. And if it makes a good beer you know where to go back to next year.

[martinr82]

So the hedge where there is quite a lot of this growing, separates the field from the road, wonder if it would be cheeky to ask the farmer what hops he used to grow there..........

Smell wise, its hard to say, now you mention onion/garlic, they do smell a bit like that.

Will go and pick some more tomorrow, only at the end of my road.

[scuppeteer]

Certainly worth asking, but prepared to be disappointed. Unless there are visible signs of old Oasts on the farm as historically there weren't many hops grown in your area.

[orlando]

OK thought so. Saaz are only grown in Czech.

And now Norfolk, Reepham to be precise, I was picking and sniffing some on Saturday.