SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. — A talk by a British hop grower on hop production in his country is among several featured presentations at the tenth annual Hop Conference, Feb. 21 in South Burlington.
Tom Spilsbury of J W Spilsbury & Co., will share information on hop production and processing with a hop kiln and dry strategies. The grower and his father Philip cultivate several varieties of hops, including Goldings, Challenger and Progress, on 50 acres at Oreton Court Farm in Worcester, England.
The conference, hosted by University of Vermont (UVM) Extension at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Burlington and Conference Center, will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registrations will be accepted through Feb. 15.
The fee, which includes lunch and all conference materials, is $75 or $65 for Northeast Hops Alliance members. Anyone unable to attend in person may watch the conference as a live broadcast for $35.
To register go to www.regonline.com/2019hopconference. Contact Susan Brouillette at (802) 524-6501, ext. 432, or (800) 639-2130 (Vermont calls only) by Feb. 5 if requiring a disability-related accommodation to attend.
Blake Crosby, a fifth-generation hop grower and CEO of Crosby Hop Farm in Woodburn, Oregon, will describe hop production, processing and marketing in the Pacific Northwest, including his experiences with hop hash and pelletizing. Gene L’Etoile of Four Star Farms in Northfield, Massachusetts, will discuss how he manages plant diseases and pests on his operation.
Todd Haire from Foam Brewers in Burlington will provide a hands-on sensory analysis for hops. Breakout sessions include a beer sensory analysis led by staff from Switchback Brewery, a Burlington microbrewery, and a virtual training tool demonstration for hop scouting. Participants also will get an update on UVM hop research.
If questions, call (802) 524-6501 or (800) 639-2130 to speak with Susan Brouillette or Heather Darby.
–UVM Extension
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