H
ops are not a crop routinely associated with
hydroponics — a tall vining plant produced on an
extensive scale outdoors in suitable temperate climates
for the brewing industry. Despite seeming to be an odd
specimen for greenhouse or indoor cropping, hops have, in
fact, become one of the new, innovative options for growers
looking to produce a niche market product. For those who
have a liking for craft beers or inkling to brew their own,
growing a few hop plants can be a viable option as well as
a fascinating new crop to experiment with.
The hop plant (Humulus lupulus) has a long history of
cultivation and is primarily grown for the production of
dried or pelleted hop flowers (cones) which are used to
add bitterness, flavor, and aromatics to beer. However,
the fresh hop cones (called wet hops), which have a very
limited storage life, can also be used in brewing, and may
confer additional qualities that the pelleted form does not.
Commercial wet hop brewers typically aim to use the fresh
cones within 48 hours of harvest for maximum compositional
quality and will pay a premium price for such a niche
market crop. For home brewers, the potential of producing
selected varieties of hops specifically for wet-hop brewing
immediately after harvest has become an exciting possibility
as fresh hops are often difficult or impossible to obtain.
The harvest season for outdoor grown hops is extremely
short and only occurs once a year, however, hydroponic hop
crop experiments suggest three to five crops per year of fresh
cones may be possible with the use of climate control under
protected cultivation. With successional planting, it could be
possible to supply high-quality fresh crops throughout the
year from hydroponic production. There have been reports
that with the controlled nutrition in hydroponics, hops with
higher concentrations of essential oils, aromatic compounds,
beta acids, and flavonoids can be produced as well as larger,
heavier cones and a higher overall yield.
The harvestable portion of the hop plant are the flowers
(also called cones or strobiles).
Apart from their essential use in beer brewing, hops
have other properties of interest. These include medicinal
compounds that can act as a mild sedative for the treat-
ment of insomnia. Hops pillows — pillow fabric filled with
dried hop cones — have long been used to help induce
sleep, while other compounds have been used to treat
anxiety and restlessness. Other hop products include tea
and soft drinks, and the tips of the young shoots can be
steamed and eaten in a similar way to asparagus. Hops
are also occasionally used in culinary dishes for a unique
flavoring or to add a distinctive aroma.
Maximum Yield
35