Nugget hop growing

[Roadrocket]

I'm getting a nugget plant later this week. I have a fair size garden with some fruit trees so I want to have a go at growing some hops. I plan to string it between some existing poles which are about 10 ft high. I don't know if nugget is a good choice but I understand it's a relatively easy variety to grow. If it turns out OK I might add an aroma variety next year. Possibly pilgrim.

I don't get time to grow vegetables or flowers but I do grow fruit and herbs. I use some of them for making mead so hops are a progression. I also think hops look good.

Has anybody grown nugget or another similar bittering hop. I'm wondering if the alpha acid varies a lot each year. Is there any easy way of testing the bitterness before you put them into the boil or do you have to take a guess. I'm a long way from the point of doing that and I might not get any cones at all this year but it's something I've been thinking about.

 

[all grain]

well I planted 3 nugget rezones in the spring of 13  here in Minnesota and by fall 1 of the 3 gave me loads of hops the other 2 were slower to produce. 24 foot is what the height was on the big one.( I've got pictures but do not know how to load then.) the small plants were 6 foot and 15 foot. I don't know why there was such a difference, probably the rezones were in bad shape?. I think the supplier knows how to give you what you need , not what you want. no complaints here I ended up with hops for a 4 gal batch. good for 1st year plants.
As far as acid levels go, I don't know.         

 

[Maine Homebrewer]

When growing your own hops it is impossible to know the percentage of alpha acids without getting them tested. Most people recommend growing your own aroma/flavor hops, and purchasing bittering hops with a known AA%.

 

[smsnyus]

You can send in hops to be tested here, does cost money but will give you what you need.
https://www.aarlab.com/store/c2/HOP_ANALYSIS_AAR

We use them a lot at our processing facility
Top Hop Seller in December - CTZ Hops
Schmidt Hop Farm - Hop Yard Supplies
UpState Hops - NY Grown Hops

 

[beer4all]

I grow my own hops here in England in my allotment (a quaint English pastime, where people with too much time on their hands mess around trying to grow things). I grow bittering hops (Magnum and Phoenix) and finishing hops (Fuggles, East Kent Goldings, Wye challenger and cascade). Whilst each year, you can never be quite sure of the performance of each one, generally you learn what to expect. I use the first batch as a test, and adjust for the remainder of the year. It does add a bit of guesswork, but at my level of brewing, I'll take it and I'd say it adds value by bringing an air of the unexpected. I'd also say, the best bit is I save ££££££££££ every year, and give 80% away to my local home brewing club.

 

[sbrewingcompany]

Nugget hops are an extraordinary preference for novices due to their ease of cultivation. While alpha-acid tiers can vary, you can estimate bitterness through lab checking or by way of the use of online calculators. Enjoy experimenting with your hop-growing journey!