Sunday, July 29, 2018

Two Hop Farms are Poppin'.

Local, and Not So Much.

Photo: Want a short, educational road trip, with ice cream involved?

Gord's Hop Farm is moving through an interesting stage: Delicate hop flowers are slowly developing into fragrant hop cones.

My neighbour also has a hop farm (both are very small farms, i.e., hop vines cover our side fences and some lattice work), but they provide educational opportunities.

One might ask, "How come this beer I'm drinking smells so delicious?"

That would be, for a good part, the aroma of hops.


"How come it tastes so full and rich?"

That could in part be attributed to flavourful hops.


"Where did Gord's hops come from originally?"

From Damion, a guy I met at a London Knights game. Before that.... ? (Google it!)

Hops grow in the wild, and can be spotted easily if you know what you're looking for as you drive or walk through London and environs. For example, there are some in Harris Park, and my son's backyard, and in other local spots.

If you'd like to see a large, productive hop farm while out for a drive, please travel south on Springfield Line south of Mount Salem. You can't miss the Hayhoe Hop Farm on your right before reaching the lakeshore road (Scotia Line between Copenhagen and Port Burwell).

I recommend a road trip in a 1960's VW microbus.

Port Burwell is a destination in itself. Be prepared for ice cream!

Please link to Motorcycle Miles 6: Birds and Boats in Port Burwell.

Photos GH

No comments: