Liberty (United States)

Born in 1983, Liberty is half-sister to Crystal, Ultra and Mt. Hood. It originates from Hallertau Mittelfrüher and a disease resistant German aroma male. Liberty’s yield is low but it still enjoys popularity, especially in the US. It is a genetically sterile variety and not suitable for breeding.

Harvest Moon Brewery uses Liberty liberally in their Full Moon Pale Ale along with Cascade. Given its heritage, it’s no wonder Liberty is likened characteristically to noble hops. Brewers should be advised that, due to Liberty’s very poor storage stability, they should be obtained and used fresh where possible.

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: Early season
Storage stability: Low
Wilt tolerance: TBC
Resistance to downy mildew: Moderately
Resistance to powdery mildew: TBC

• Also Known As
  Characteristics	Noble hop characteristics
  Purpose	Aroma
  Alpha Acid Composition	3%-6%
  Beta Acid Composition	3.5%
  Co-Humulone Composition	24%-28%
  Country	US
  Cone Size	Medium
  Cone Density	Compact
  Seasonal Maturity	Early
  Yield Amount	1200-2000 kg/hectare (1070-1780 lbs/acre)
  Growth Rate	Very high
  Resistant to	Moderately resistant to downy mildew
  Susceptible to
  Storability	Retains 35%-55% alpha acid after 6 months storage at 20ºC (68ºF)
  East of Harvest	Moderate to easy
  Total Oil Composition	1.3 mL/100g
  Myrcene Oil Composition	46%
  Humulene Oil Composition	31%
  Caryophyllene Oil	9%-12%
  Farnesene Oil	< 1%
  Substitutes	Hallertau, Mount Hood, Traditon
  Style Guide	Bock, Lager, Pale Ale

  
  Information Provided by hopslist.com
  

  GET THE BOOK!

  
  

  The Hops List official eBook is ad-free and puts every beer hop right on your iPad or Kindle. 265 beer hop varieties, descriptors, analytical data plus an invaluable selection of brilliant insights from brewmaster's at some of the world's most prestigious craft breweries.

  It's available from Amazon for Kindle, on iTunes for iOS devices and as a PDF

  
  

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.