Douglas Wawrzynski for AHA Governing Committee Representative

My good friend Doug is running for AHA Governing Committee Representative.  If you are a member of the American Homebrewers Association, please consider voting for him.  I believe you would be hard-pressed to find a better candidate. 

His profile can be seen using the following link: Doug's AHA Profile

Homebrew T-shirts

I made a few new designs in my line of Homebrewing T-shirts. 
Check them out at http://www.cafepress.com/redcardgear/5595199

The link at the right isn't an ad.  Red Card Gear is my T-shirt business, specializing in Soccer & Homebrewing t-shirts.  Here are a couple of my new designs that I though you might like.

Cascade Hops

Some beautiful Cascade Hops from one of my plants.  This was year 1 for these Rhizomes.  I have high hopes for them next year. 


To recap, I have 4 Brewers Gold and 2 Cascade.  My plans for this year are to add 2 more Cascade and 2 Fuggle.


I have used this book extensively for info, and highly recommend it.

Time flies by...

The more I try to stay away, the more I am drawn back to this blog...Could this be the final attempt?  I guess I can't be sure.  Honestly, my intention was never to withdraw myself from the blog.  The difficult thing which seems to occur, a balance of:  family - career - and hobbies.  While I haven't stopped my efforts to grow my own hops...the communication of this hobby obviously ceased for some time.

I am happy to report that my year 2 yield was better than expected.  I lost a substantial amount of the Cascade plants when I moved, but the Brewer's Gold came in with force.  So much force that my trellises came down with them!  Looking towards year 3, I will be planting more varieties, reinforcing my trellises, and looking into a more effective drying method.

The updates will come weekly, with planning first, then documentation of growth, and hopefully another successful year!