Are you struggling to source hops for your homebrew beer? Dan Weirback of Weyerbacher Brewing Company has the perfect solution: Grow your own! Through sheer determination and a little know-how, Weirback addressed the hop shortage by growing his own hops and transforming his yeast garden into a full-fledged hop farm. See how he did it and be inspired to tackle your own trans-formative projects!
How I Became a Hop Farmer: If You Can’t Buy It, Grow It
Dan Weirback of the Weyerbacher Brewing Company is addressing a major problem in the craft beer industry--the hop shortage. With craft brewers all over the country struggling to get their hands on hops, Dan decided to take matters into his own hands and become a hop farmer.
As craft brewing is booming and gaining more popularity, the demand for hops has never been higher. This has caused prices to skyrocket and competition to increase as brewers are vying for their fair share of hops. Unfortunately, this competition has caused some brewers to pay well over market prices to try and secure the hops they need.
Additionally, some brewers have been relying mostly on large suppliers to supply them with hops, but these larger suppliers have been unable to keep up with the increasing demand, leading to low supply of hops in the market.
The only solution to this problem is for brewers to take matters into their own hands and grow their own hops. This will not only guarantee them a steady and additional supply of hops but also save them money on their hop purchases.
Dan Weirback of the Weyerbacher Brewing Company decided to take this route and become a hop farmer. After doing his research and coming up with a plan, Dan was able to put together his own hop farm. He went through the process of planting, cultivating, and harvesting the hops. Dan was able to get a steady supply of high quality hops at an affordable price which has allowed the Weyerbacher Brewing Company to make some great beers.
If you’re looking to become a hop farmer, here are some tips to help get you started:
Additionally, you can also seek out expert advice or mentorship to help get you started. You’ll also need to find ways to market and sell your hops as well.
The benefits of growing your own hops can be enormous, especially when it comes to savings. You’ll be able to save money on buying hops, as you’ll be able to produce your own on-site. Additionally, you’ll be able to control the quality of hops you’re producing by ensuring all the necessary steps are met in the cultivation process.
Growing your own hops will also be a more environmentally sustainable way of getting access to hops as you’ll be able to plant and harvest your hops without having to transport them across the country. This will cut down on energy usage and help the environment. Additionally, it can also be an enjoyable and rewarding experience as you’ll be able to witness the entire growth process from planting to harvesting your own hops.
The hop shortage is a major problem in the craft beer industry, but Dan Weirback of the Weyerbacher Brewing Company has found a unique solution -- growing his own hops. Dan has been able to utilize his hop farm to get a continuous supply of fresh, high quality hops, which has allowed the Weyerbacher Brewing Company to make some great beers.
If you’re looking to become a hop farmer, you can follow Dan’s example and take matters into your own hands. Do your research, find the perfect spot, start small and incrementally add more hops, and seek out expert advice or mentorship to help get you started. There are many benefits to growing your own hops, such as savings and environmental sustainability, as well as an enjoyable and rewarding experience.