Figured I'd post this information for those who are interested in growing hops. I personally know the organizer, Joe. He is a very knowledgeable source on the topic. I'm not available to attend, but I figured i'd put the info from thier site out there.
Interested in
Growing Hops?
Just in your backyard or commercially?
The Hop Garden is offering two workshops on growing Hops. We are a new Hop Yard located outside of Belleville, Wisconsin. We are located about 20 minutes south of the Beltline from Madison. Where best to learn about hops than an actual 10 acre hop yard! Workshops will be led by Rich Joseph, Co-Owner of Joseph Staudt Hop’s and The Hop Garden. Joseph Staudt Hop’s is a two acre Hop Yard located in Neosho, Wisconsin. Joseph Staudt Hop’s have been featured at many of Wisconsin’s finest Breweries and Brew Pubs, including: The Grumpy Troll, The Great Dane, Title Town Brewery, One Barrel Brewing, Rustic Brewing and Stone Cellar Brew Pub. Rich has been growing hops for 4 years commercially. He is the Vice President of Wisconsin Hop Exchange and has been working with Brewers all over the Midwest.
Backyard Hop Growing is designed for the home brewer or the folks that just like to learn more about hops and how they are used in beer making. Topics covered will include where and how to plant hops, how to care for them, backyard trellis structures, fertilizing and watering, harvesting and drying, as well as packaging for future use. Cost is $45 per person or sign up as a group of two or more and the price drops to $35 per person. Workshops start at 9:30am and will finish at Noon. The workshop will be offered on the following Saturday mornings: January 11th, 25th and February 8th.
The Commercial Hop Growing Workshop is designed for the person that is thinking about growing a larger amount of hops from ¼ acre which is about 250 plants to 10 acres or more. Topics will include, Hop plant structure and life, what Brewers are looking for in their hops, economics, labor requirements, hop yard planning and design, purchasing rootstock and plants, scouting for weeds and insects, harvesting options, dryer or oast design, resources available, packaging and marketing or working with Wisconsin Hop Exchange Cooperative. Cost is $125 per person or $95 per person if signing up in a group of two or more. The Workshop will start at 9am and will finish at Noon, lunch and refreshments will be provided and discussions will last until all questions are answered or 3pm. This workshop will be offered on the following Saturday Mornings: February 1st, 15th and 22nd.
How To Reserve Your Seat:
The workshops will be conducted at the office of The Hop Garden. Tours will be given of the yard and facilities, weather permitting. Seating is limited per workshop. To reserve your seat please mail a check payable to: The Hop Garden, N8668 County Road D, Belleville, Wisconsin 53508. Please include the number of seats being reserved, the date of the meeting you are going to attend, along with an email address or home address. Once the check is received you will be sent an invoice by mail or email to confirm your reservation.
Make a day or a weekend of it and visit local breweries. We are 8 miles from New Glarus Brewing, 10 miles from Wisconsin Brewing Company in Verona, 12 miles from The Great Dane in Fitchburg, 17 miles to the Grumpy Troll in Mt. Horeb and 25 miles to Minhas Brewing in Monroe. There are excellent Hotels in all of these cities.
For more information and to learn more about our Hop Yards, please contact:
Rich Joseph: 608-516-9649, rich.joseph.rj@gmail.com or visit our website: TheHopGarden.net visit us on Facebook - Joseph Staudt Hop’s or The Hop Garden
