Hops
Locally grown hop varieties that bring unique flavors to our craft beers
Our Hop Yard
Our one-acre hop yard is a vital element of Elements Farm and Brewery, providing essential ingredients for our craft beer production while creating a stunning visual feature on our property. The towering hop bines climbing 18-foot trellises create a dramatic landscape that changes throughout the growing season.
We grow multiple hop varieties selected specifically for Vermont's climate and soil conditions, focusing on those that thrive in our region and contribute distinctive flavors to our beers. Our hop production embodies the farm-to-glass ethos that defines our brewery operation.
The hop yard is managed collaboratively by our family, with special involvement from Caius, who is developing expertise in hop cultivation and brewing applications. From planting rhizomes to harvesting cones, we're building knowledge that will enhance our brewing program for years to come.
Our Hop Varieties
Cascade
A classic American hop variety with floral, citrus, and grapefruit notes. Cascade thrives in our Vermont climate and forms the backbone of several of our flagship beers, including our Elements Farmhouse Ale.
Centennial
Often called "Super Cascade," this variety offers intensified citrus and floral characteristics with a balanced bittering quality. Perfect for our Green Mountain IPA and other hop-forward beers in our lineup.
Nugget
A high-alpha acid hop with herbal and spicy characteristics, Nugget provides excellent bittering properties and subtle aromatic notes. We use it in our more robust beer styles and as a bittering base in several recipes.
Willamette
An American adaptation of the English Fuggle hop, Willamette offers mild, pleasant aromas with earthy, woody, and slightly spicy notes. It's ideal for our English-inspired ales and contributes complexity to our seasonal blends.
Our Hop Growing Practices
Sustainable Cultivation
We grow our hops using sustainable practices that minimize synthetic inputs and focus on building healthy soil biology. Our integrated pest management approach relies on beneficial insects, strategic planting, and careful monitoring rather than routine chemical applications.
By maintaining diverse plantings around our hop yard and incorporating companion plants, we create a balanced ecosystem that supports hop health while minimizing pest pressure naturally.
Harvest and Processing
Hop harvest is one of the most exciting—and labor-intensive—times on our farm. We harvest each variety at its peak ripeness, carefully timing the process to capture optimal flavor and aroma compounds.
After harvest, we quickly process our hops using small-scale equipment that allows for gentle handling. Some hops are used fresh in "wet hop" beers brewed during harvest season, while others are carefully dried and vacuum-sealed for use throughout the year.
Farm-to-Glass Connection
Growing our own hops creates a direct connection between our agricultural practices and the flavors in our beers. This farm-to-glass approach allows us to experiment with fresh hop beers that showcase the vibrant character of just-harvested hops.
We also invite visitors to experience the hop harvest through educational tours and special events, helping beer enthusiasts understand the agricultural roots of their favorite beverage and the importance of local ingredients.
From Field to Pint
Experience the difference that farm-grown hops make in our craft beers. Visit our brewery to taste the unique flavors that our Vermont-grown hop varieties contribute to our seasonal and flagship brews.