Ontario Hop Growers' Association Forms

The following is a press release from the newly formed Ontario Hop Growers' Association

‘Ontario’s hopping’ - re-establishing a heritage crop in Ontario

March 25, 2012: The re-emergence of commercial hop production in Ontario took a major step forward this past week with the formation of the Ontario Hop Grower’s Association.

Formed as an initiative by a network of 28 independent growers, both conventional and organic, from across the province – the Ontario Hop Grower’s Association (OHGA) is a non-profit association of hop growers, brewers, herbalists and enthusiasts interested in supporting the re-emergence of the Ontario hop industry.

Commercial hop production has been all but non-existent in Ontario since the 1920s. That direction is now changing due to a strong interest amongst the Ontario Craft Brewing Industry to produce an all Ontario beer made from local ingredients. This is part of a national trend, reflecting the growing awareness and/or interest in food sustainability by both consumers and businesses alike. Currently, there are 8 hectares (20 acres) of land in hop production in Ontario, with another 4 hectares (10 acres) planned for this year.

An elected five-member executive took over their official positions March 7, 2012. The new Board of Directors is: Nicholas Schaut, Hugh Brown, Melanie Doerksen, Dai Matthews and Shane Eby. The mission of the association is to act as a central voice for growers in Ontario; thus serving as an advocacy group recognized by the provincial government, brewers and related businesses. The OHGA will also promote hop-growing fundamentals through education, research, promotion, and marketing. Some of the early objectives include setting up a database of relevant growing and management information specifically for Ontario. In addition to, working with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) to make affordable Alpha Acidic Unit (AAU) testing available to growers across the province.

For more information about the Ontario Hop Growers Association contact President, Nicholas Schaut at 519.538.1026 or Vice-President, Hugh Brown at 705.734.2846 or email: ontariohopgrowersassociation@gmail.com.

Halifax's Hart & Thistle Needs Your Help (For Nova Scotians)

New Hart and Thistle Brewer, Greg Nash, has posted this message on the H & T's brewers blog today that I think is worth sharing with Nova Scotians.

Nash is looking for volunteers for this upcoming weekend to help pick some hops before Hurricane Bill heads to the east coast. This is a great way of interacting with your customers, building relationships that no public relations firm for a large company could dream up. I know that if I was living out east again I'd be there in a heart beat.

Ladies and gentlemen we need your help to make more great beer at the H&T!

What: Hop Harvest
When: Sat August 22nd 2009, 9:00 a.m. sharp (weather permitting)
Where: Lazy Acres Hopyard - 2055 Melanson Rd., Wolfville, NS
Why: Josh Herbin owner of Lazy Acres Hopyard is having a very tough time rounding up enough hands to pick 40kg's of fresh Cascade hops in one day for us to do a wet-hop brew and is worried the looming weather forecast for this Sunday from hurricane Bill could destroy or seriously damage the prime flowers!

This means we need to round up a crew of at least 6 - 8 able hop pickers for a few hrs of fun this Sat. August 22nd 2009 weather permitting. The more the merrier and the faster the job will get done!

Renumeration:

• I am offering 1kg of fresh wet hops to every set of hands on deck but you have to pick them yourself (after we achieve our 40kg goal!)!
  
• Refreshments (b-e-e-r)!
  
• Treats down at the Hart and Thistle at the release party for the wet-hop brew you helped make happen which has yet to be named!
  
• Full disclosure of the recipe for the wet-hop beer which I will post here on the blog for cloning your own, or simply as a point of interest as you sit and enjoy the finished product!
  
• If you're a homebrewer, 1kg of fresh hops equates to 5-6oz of dried hops - lots to make your own wet-hop beer or dry them yourself at home and use them as you please throughout the year!

Please forward an email to Nash directly if you can help Saturday!

Ontario Farmers Turning to Hops?

There is a good story regarding the plight or rebirth (depending on your opinion) of hops in today's Toronto Star written by 'What's Brewing' columnist Josh Rubin.

Click here to read the full story as it appears on the Toronto Star's website.

It's worth the read as Rubin explains the reasons for the drought, the increased prices and what Ontario farmers and brewers are doing about it. The hop shortage dilemma is not new for those of us who follow the brewing industry closely, yet it appears that things might be starting to brighten, at least that is what I took away from the article.