We are going into our seventh year so the hop plants are now coming into maturity and our yields are still increasing each year. We have approximately 600 - 700 plants of several varieties and believe the quality of the hops are best maintained by careful handling. Our hops are hand picked and go to a sorting table where leaves and twigs that might be in them are removed. This method preserves the
luplin in the hop which can be depleted by heat. They then go to packaging where we compress them into 4lb. These blocks are then put into barrier bags, which are a black Mylar bag with a layer of aluminum sandwiched between the Mylar layers thus preventing any light from penetrating. They are then vacuum packed with a nitrogen gas injected into the bag at the time of sealing, removing the oxygen. The whole process from picking to vacuum packing is usually done within 24 hours. Feedback from clients has proven this method effective in maintaining the freshness and quality of the hop. We have also delivered 60lbs. of fresh or harvest hops to the brewery last year for a green brew. This involves picking the hops, sorting of leaves and twigs and packing in burlap bags. The hops have to reach the brewery as quickly as possible to maintain the best quality. This can only be done if the hopyard is close to the brewery and the hops can be picked and delivered within 24 hrs. We are currently working with OMAFRA and Loyalist College to set up an acid testing program so we can give you the essential acid content of the hops. Hopefully this will be in place for this years harvest.
