Our local Star Tribune ran a story today about home brewers growing their own hops. The reason for growing your own is obvious:

Home brewers throughout the Twin Cities have been busily planting the rhizomes (root stock) that produce the vines (ants and other critters permitting) that spawn the cone-like flowers that make beer, well … beer. Sales are hopping because a worldwide shortage has caused prices of the dried flowers or pellets to soar.

The point this article failed to mention is it takes at least two years before the hops produce anything close to the amounts needed to brew with. The other thing missed, though I suppose understandably, is the proper terminology for the shoots that hops send up. They are called “bines” not vines. Understandably missed because they would be called on it for misspelling “vines” right?

Finally, why can’t I ever be interviewed about my hobbies?!? I mean, really, I grow my own hops, brew my own beer and shoot my own guns, why don’t I get interviewed?!?

Cheers,
Tony