As we announced at the July meeting, we were in the process of coordinating with longtime members Jeff Steinman about a club visit to his establishment, Hop Head Farms. We are pleased to announce that we have worked out all the details and have an extra surprise in store.
Background
For those not already aware, Hop Head Farms is a hop farm here in West Michigan. Before 2012, they had been an organic test plot. Since then, they have joined forces with Nunzino Pizza, a long time expert in agricultural commodities and business. Nunzino also has done extensive research on hops from a different angle. He is part owner of a very successful brewery in Chicago. Together they are bringing Hop Head Farms into the professional world of hops farming and processing.
Date and Time
The visit will be held on Saturday, August 24th which will be the Saturday following this month's meeting. The tour of the farm will begin promptly at 11am so please try to arrive early enough to not miss out!
Jeff informs me by the time of our visit, his Centennial crop should be getting ripe with his Nugget and Magnum coming in right behind.
Directions
HHF is 2.5 miles East of the Gilmore Car Museum on Hickory Road.
4630 W. Hickory Rd.,
Hickory Corners, MI
49060
The main building where we'll meet is brick faced with evergreen trim, glass block windows and HHF logo and MAEAP signs. Make sure to park past the front two buildings and gate on the right side opposite the processing facility.
What to Bring and Wear
Make sure you have proper outdoor shoes that you won't mind getting messy as we'll be walking through their farm area. That also means no flip-flops or high heels. The same goes for your clothing: something comfortable that you wouldn't mind getting dirty.
HHF asks that you please do not bring dogs or children at this time. They may be welcome in the future but given the size of our group they want to try to keep distractions to a minimum.
If you want bring money for merchandise, you are welcome. Also, feel free to bring homebrew to share!
Guest Hop Sale
Speaking of other ways to spend your hard-earned money, HHF is looking to make room for their 2013 harvest by putting the last of their guest hops on sale. All have been refrigerated at below freezing temperatures, properly packaged, and retested by an independent lab using American brewing chemist standards. The following are available:
Bravo (US) 2011, $1.00/oz
Golding (US) 2011, $1.00/oz
Hallertauer Mittelfrueh (Germany) 2011, $1.25/oz
Mount Hood (US) 2011, $1.00/ oz
Warrier 2012, $1.50/oz
Details and compositions can be found on our online store at: http://hop-head-farms.myshopify.com/collections/hops
Also, Hop Head Farms would like to announce that their presale on the farm’s 2013 crop begins August 15th. They are offering a presale discount of $0.25/ounce. We are expecting to sell out completely in presale, so stick by a computer at Noon on August 15th.
http://hop-head-farms.myshopify.com/collections/hops
Questions
If you have any questions about the event, please contact Chris Elston (chris@klob.org) and we'll help you out.