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Given all the available micro climates and elevations available for agriculture in CR, does anyone out there know of an area where hops are grown commercially? I am not agriculturally inclined myself, but the question was raised, along with a pint of cerveza (or two) by my cronies here in norteamerica.
My guess is no, that hops requires a “fall & winter” to die off. Any knowledgeable opinions appreciated! FredHmmm! Would love to know myself as one of the very few things I do miss from ‘back home’ in the UK, is a decent pint of ale. I made my own at one time and may do so again in the future – if we can?
Do we have any ‘grow-your-own-hops’ and ‘brew-your-own-beer’ VIP Members experts out there?
Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.comHops have become a big commodity in the US. Last year there was a severe shortage of hops worlwide. The largest crop of hops in the US is in the Yakima Valley in WA state, grown beside all the vinyards, since we are 2nd only to California in wine and #1 per capita in microbrewers. Samuel Adams out of Boston went to the extent of buying much more than they needed in bulk so that all the NE US microbrewers could purchase at cost. Microbrew beer has increased in cost about 25% in the last year.
I do not believe that hops can grow in a subtropic climate because the nights do not get cold enough, but with all the genetic engineering we have done on crops, there might be a strain that works.You got my taste buds going with this posting …
Grow Your Own Hops [ http://byo.com/feature/116.html ]
A Virtual Look at the U.S. Hop Industry [ http://www.usahops.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page&pageID=13 ]
The Bitter End: The Great 2008 Hop Shortage [ http://www.byo.com/feature/1715.html ]
A gardener’s guide to homegrown hops [ http://home.netcom.com/~dluzanp/backyard.htm ]
Hop Gardening [ http://www.freshops.com/gardening.html ]
Growing Hops in the Garden: How to Grow Beer Hops [ http://www.beersmith.com/blog/2008/04/10/growing-hops-in-the-garden-how-to-grow-beer-hops/ ] says that “Whether you live in the Northwest, Northeast, Midwest, South or California does not matter – hops can be grown in any moderate climate with proper care.”
I am guessing that there are plenty of places in Costa Rica that would have a “moderate climate” no?
Also saw some good links at [ http://beerbits2.blogspot.com/2007/10/hops-growing-resources.html ]
Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.comDo you know of any microbrewers in CR Scott? I have never seen any in the store, even the AutoMercado in Escazu. I could always bring some Yakima hops with me on the next trip down.
I have been to two microbrewers that I remember (which are no longer around) but it has been YEARS since I have been in a bar here so can’t honetly tell you if more have cropped up to replace them… We do get some imported Belgium beers here in AutoMercado but they are understandably expensive.
Which begs the question what is the local brew in CR and is it any good? Or do they import from Mexico? A light beer in a hot climate is very refreshing. But nothing beats a fine amber ale with creamy head. I was in Victoria last week and had the good fortune to visit one of the oldest microbreweries in Canada. They had a Scottish Pale Ale that was the best I have ever tasted anywhere and that includes all over Scotland.
Why has it been years since you have visited a bar Scott? Something wrong with the Pubs?
Hmmmm! I enjoyed a few good Scottish pale ales on my last trip to Scotland last June…
This is my opinion only but if you are accustomed to drinking Budweiser in the US then you’ll probably enjoy the local ‘Imperial’, ‘Pilsen’ or ‘Bavaria’ beers but, if you are like me who is more accustomed to drinking a selection of fine ales on tap – rather than cans and bottles – then you will be very very disappointed.
It’s been years since I have been in a bar here because I have been in a wonderful relationship with my lady (our five year anniversary is on Monday) and I am trying to remain ‘un hombre fiel’ (a faithful man).
In going out at night, it’s just too darned easy to encounter temptations, and the women in Costa Rican are more tempting, definitely more tenacious and persuasive than any country I have ever lived in …
Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.comWell, I don’t brew beer, but I do make wine here, many different varieties. One of the problems is obtaining all the extra ‘stuff’ you need constantly and having to have it shipped from elsewhere. I have had a quick look, at growing hops but haven’t got any further than that.
Checked out about growing hops here ,and it’s a ‘no go’. They are a ‘long day crop’ and Costa Rica can only grow ‘short day’ crops successfully which I did know.
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