In Search of Wild Hops

Having just finished another batch of “Off to Jail Ale,” I quickly packed and met Tyler at his farm to start on our adventure to find wild Arizona hops.  The wind was howling and the sun long set by the time we got to our camp site; perched along a forgotten road by the Clear Creek headwaters.  After a can of beer and a shot of whisky we fell into our sleepy bags and readied ourselves for tomorrows hike into the canyon.

First light, a little beef jerky, and down the canyon we went.  Elk and Mule Deer scattered before us as we were drawn further into their wilderness.  The sun rays were twisting their way to the creek just as we discovered our first patch of hops.  Although too early in the season to have any buds, Tyler plowed his face into a patch and inhaled deeply. "This is why I started planted hops." 


By 9 am we were both back to work in Camp Verde cleaning a brewery, planting more hops, and planning VBC's first IPA.