Garrison hops into the farming business

HALIFAX—In an effort to make its beer as local as possible, Garrison Brewing has planted its own hops field.

An experimental hops crop is now growing at Ross Farm Museum, a provincial museum serving up a glimpse into the way farming used to be, and interpreted by staff in period costumes.

Garrison general manager Brian Titus came up with the idea after noticing wild hops growing on the farm property. A combined crop of Willamette and Cascade hops taken from a farm in the Annapolis Valley were planted at the end of May.

Very few of the needed ingredients for beer are currently available in the province; everything but the water must be imported.

“We’re trying to lead by example and demonstrate the potential of a Maritime hop-growing industry,” Titus said. “The goal is a brew made with 100 per cent local ingredients and this will bring us closer.”

There is one farm in the province growing hops on a small scale, Lazy Acres, which is where Garrison took the clippings for the project at Ross Farm.

“Hops has grown here for as long as anyone can remember,” said Ross Farm director Lisa Wolfe. “The project has created a lot of interest.”

Ross Farm staff will tend to the hop vines, which can grow as much as 30 centimetres in one day and nine metres in overall length.

Titus said that between 6,000 and 7,000 kilos of hops is needed annually to meet the demand among Nova Scotia breweries, including Garrison and Propeller.

“Hops are relatively indigenous to this area, Titus said, however the quality of the wild hops found growing at Ross Farm could not be guaranteed.

“There is a big future for hops here for someone who is interested. Locally, we would take as much as can be grown.”

The first crop from the Ross Farm is to be cultivated in 2010, and will go into one of Garrison’s specialty harvest brews and into the Hopyard Pale, the company’s latest offering.

It’s described as golden, medium bodied bitter ale with a fruity and floral aroma that pairs well with grilled and spicy foods.