Chinook
Chinook hops are suitable for any stage of the boil. They’re not only a natural for American-style Pale Ales and IPAs, but they also find their way into seasonal ales, barley wine and some porters and stouts. The variety is a cross between Petham Golding and a USDA male and features a pine-like, spicy bouquet with robust flavors of grapefruit.
Released in 1985, Chinook has recently grown in popularity, particularly among craft breweries. Currently, they’re commercially featured alone in Stone’s Arrogant Bastard and in addition to Cascade and Centennial in Sierra Nevada’s Celebration Ale – a brew famous for its piney, citrusy character.
Availability
Bare root hop plants are available from November 1st until April 15th. The best time to transplant hop plants lies during this period whilst the plant is dormant. Plants in 2 Litre pots are available from May until September but are available for UK mainland delivery only.
Growth Data
Time of ripening: Mid/late season
Storage stability: Reasonable
Wilt tolerance: Tolerant
Resistance to downy mildew: Tolerant
Resistance to powdery mildew: Tolerant
| Also Known As | | | Characteristics | Bouquet of pine and spice | | Purpose | Bittering & Aroma | | Alpha Acid Composition | 12%-14% | | Beta Acid Composition | 3%-4% | | Co-Humulone Composition | 29%-34% | | Country | | | Cone Size | Medium | | Cone Density | Compact | | Seasonal Maturity | Mid to late | | Yield Amount | 1700-2230 kg/hectare (1520-2000 lbs/acre) | | Growth Rate | Moderate to high | | Resistant to | | | Susceptible to | | | Storability | Retains 68%-70% alpha acid after 6 months storage at 20ºC (68ºF) | | East of Harvest | Difficult | | Total Oil Composition | 1.5-2.7 mL/100g | | Myrcene Oil Composition | 35%-40% | | Humulene Oil Composition | 18%-25% | | Caryophyllene Oil | 9%-11% | | Farnesene Oil | 0%-1% | | Substitutes | Galena, Eroica, Nugget, Bullion, Columbus, Northern Brewer, Target | | Style Guide | Winter Ale, Pale Ale, India Pale Ale, Porter, Stout, Lager, Barley Wine, American Lager, American Ale |
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Planting Instructions
On receiving your plants remove the plants from the bag, check to see if they are moist, if they are not place in a bucket of water for 1 hour, then plant it in your garden.
1. Dig a hole 9 – 12 inches deep.
2. Place the plant in the hole with the crown of the plant, the bit with the shoots on, 2-3 inches below surface level.
3. Cover all the roots and crown with good quality well mulched soil, or John Innes No3 compost.
4. Firm in gently.
5. Sprinkle some general fertiliser around the surface.
6. Water in only if the soil is dry.
7. Plants should be spaced about a metre apart.
Hop Growing
Hops can grow on a wide range of soil types, although in general they grow best on deep well drained non-acid loam’s. Good soil moisture and fertility are essential in order to sustain the prodigious aerial growth of the hop plant each year. Bines usually begin to grow from the underground rootstock in early April. These healthy bines of appropriate vigour are selected for a procedure known as ‘training’ are induced to begin climbing the strings, which they do in a clockwise direction. When 2-3 bines are established on a string, all surplus shoots should be removed, usually completed by the end of May.
Support
Hop plants have to be provided with supports for the climbing bines on which the cone bearing lateral shoots are formed. Hops can be grown up strings, poles or on a fence with wire support. Fertility can be improved with farmyard manure or proprietary brands of general fertiliser such as growmore.
Disease and Pest Control
Hops are susceptible to mildews, aphids and red spider. These can be controlled with various garden sprays available from most Garden centres.
Harvesting
Pick the hops off the bines in early to mid September. Drying should take place immediately after harvesting, this can be achieved with very satisfactory results by placing the hop cones in an airing cupboard. Store in a dry place. These can be used for brewing your own beer or Hop pillows (only a small amount put in your pillow will help you sleep). If required for floral decoration do not remove hops from bine, but cut the whole bine off in September and hang to dry in a warm airy place. Remove all leaves off bine before drying.
Pruning
In the Spring, select the number of shoots required, max 8 per plant, and remove all surplus. Remove all growth above ground any time between late Autumn / Winter.This will help reduce carry over of pests and diseases.
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