OUR HOPS
Here at Preston Valley Hops we are dedicated to producing high quality hops.
We are constantly reviewing and improving our agricultural practices so we can grow the best hop flowers possible.
Our hops are dried at low temperatures, so those wonderful volatile hop oils are preserved, not driven off by heat.
We can supply Nugget, Flinders, Chinook, Beedelup, Victoria and Columbus in dried whole cone or pellet format, or even direct from the bine at harvest time for you to use in your wet hop beer.
We also sell hops plants for you to grow at home.
FROM SOIL TO BEER
01
PLANT & GROW
Hops are the flowers that grow on tall, perennial plants that send shoots out from below the ground in the spring each year.
Once the shoots grow to about 30cm high, we train them onto strings hung from our high trellis.
We care for them intensely while they grow 5 metres in approximately four weeks!
Once the plant reaches the top of the trellis, it sends out branches and starts to produce beautiful green flowers or 'cones'.
02
HARVEST
Using observation, analysis and experience, we determine the right time to start the harvest.
Each variety has a very short harvest window for optimal hop quality, sometimes only 5 or 6 days. So when harvest starts, we don't stop!
To harvest the hop flowers we cut the main part of the plant (the bine) from the trellis and run them through our custom-built machines to remove the flowers from the bines.
03
DRY & PACK
Unless our hops are being used fresh by brewers using 'wet hop' techniques, they must be dried quickly and gently to maintain quality.
We dry our hops using modern, low temperature techniques to maintain the delicate oils within the hop flower that are desired by brewers.
Our hops are processed, packaged and stored on-farm to prevent deteriorating quality from temperature, oxygen and light.
04
MAKE BEER
Hops are used in beer to give bitterness, flavour and aroma, and to help balance the sweetness from the malt.
Using the freshest hops allows brewers to really make their beers stand out.
We work closely with some of Western Australia's finest brewers to help them make amazing, fresh, local beer.
Victoria
Victoria is an open-source Australian varietal that was initially developed for its high alpha acid content. Spicy, citrus, resinous, floral. This punchy hop is commonly used in Pale Ale and IPA.
2021 Lab Analysis
Alpha Acid - 13.8%
Beta Acid - 5.30%
Chinook
Chinook exhibits pine and spice flavours and is synonymous with many 'West Coast' Pale Ales and IPAs.
2021 Lab Analysis
Alpha Acid - 8.69%
Beta Acid - 4.03%
Columbus
Also known as CTZ, this varietal has a strong hoppiness and citrus notes.
Our Columbus exhibits lower alpha acid contents than the US grown versions.
2021 Lab Analysis
Alpha Acid - 6.47%
Beta Acid - 4.03%
Flinders
Flinders is a locally developed hop variety. It is super floral and high alpha.
This floral, herbal, spicy hop would be well at home in a Czech Pilsener or a Saison.
2021 Lab Analysis
Alpha Acid - 15.17%
Beta Acid - 4.76%
Nugget
A mild, herbal, spicy hop traditionally used as a bittering hop, Nugget is finding favour as a dual purpose hop in modern beers.
Perfect in California Common or a modern Koelsch.
2021 Lab Analysis
Alpha Acid - 11.91%
Beta Acid - 2.88%
Beedelup
We adore the abundant stone fruit flavours of this variety. Complemented by citrus and spice, this hop is one of our favourites.
2021 Lab Analysis
Alpha Acid - 10.60%
Beta Acid - 4.57%