Budding entrepreneur

Hillier hops grower expands production sixfold in second growing season

We are learning as we go along,” says Edgar Ramirez. All around him in the 2,000 square foot production facility, thick strands of hops are draped over wires. Nearby, thousands of buds dry on 10- metre-long mesh hammocks, suspended at head height across the shed. Once the external moisture is removed, the buds move into a dryer—a large plywood structure Edgar designed to draw moisture evenly from the tender, aromatic buds.

Ramirez is in his second year of growing hops on his farm in Hillier. Last year, he produced about 70 pounds of hops. This season he expects to yield more than 400 pounds.

The plants grow from shoots in the spring and weave their way up twine supports soaring 20 feet into the sky. By harvest, the plants have become pencil-thick ruddy vines—each producing dozens and dozens of hops buds.

Edgar Ramirez examines the floral aroma. He says the second season is all about refining growing and production techniques and processes.

Ramirez believes there may be another use for the vines—after the buds have been removed and the canes dried. He weaves a sturdy but elegant wreath from the still-green vines.

“We will see if the have the same flexibility and form when they dry,” says Ramirez cautiously. He has worked on farms and vineyards all his career. He has learned to take nothing as certain or predictable.

In the shed, the air is filled with the sweet citrus aroma of hops. The oily centres are extremely bitter to taste, explains Ramirez, making it an essential ingredient in beer making.

In one corner, Carlos is shearing hops from the vines. In another, Arturo is vacuum packing the dried buds. In another, Another worker, Manuel, is building drying boxes. Ramirez and his crew have worked together for many seasons— providing vineyard services across the County.

But growing hops is something he is doing for himself. He has cultivated many crops, but not hops—until last year. He likes a challenge.

He dreams of one day building a small artisanal brewery in Hillier. But for now he is busy growing, experimenting, learning and getting better at creating great hops. He is a patient man. Some of these buds are destined for Barley Days brewery in Picton. Others will be sold to a buying group for Ontario beer makers.

In the meantime Ramirez and his team are focusing on making the best hops possible.