New York grown hops malt

[mrocka]

Does anyone know of a supplier or a company that sells NY grown products? I am looking at a Farmers Brewery Licence in the state of NY. We are planning to grow hops but without other NY products we will not be able to meet their requirements.

"In order to receive a Farm Brewery license, the beer must be made primarily from locally grown farm products. Until the end of 2018, at least 20% of the hops and 20% of all other ingredients must be grown or produced in New York State. From January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2023, no less than 60% of the hops and 60% of all other ingredients must be grown or produced in New York State. After January 1, 2024, no less than 90% of the hops and 90% of all other ingredients must be grown or produced in New York State."

Paul
Paradox Brewery
Schroon Lake, NY

[kugeman]

Check with Valley Malt. They're out of western mass. but they do malt some NY grown barley as part of their product catalog.

[poltz]

I know that there are couple small malt houses in various stages of planning in NY right now. I understand one is further along than the others. Valley Malt may be able to help, but the freight will be higher than something more local. I visited VM last summer. Nice operation. Small but growing. For more on malthouse info call Steve Miller at Cornell Cooperative extension. Good luck.

[mrocka]

Thanks,
I called Valley Malt and they were very helpful and can meet my requirements. Now I have to look for hops. Paul

[kugeman]

Your best bets for hops will be out in western NY by the Finger Lakes. Try the Cornell Cooperative and/or the Northeast Hop Alliance. They can probably get you a list of farmers out there.

[schlosser]

I'd be wary of doing the Farm Brewers License. Benefits aren't all that huge compared to a regular license and it really constrains your ability to do a wide variety of different styles. Overall cost of malt right now from a micro malter vs. other is also a big hurdle. Get a regular license and then brew with NYS ingredients whenever you can / want. Gives WAY more flexibility that way.

Cheers,
Dave

[jesskidden]

F. X. Matt (which was still using New York State hops into the 1950's) has used hops from the Wrobel Farms, outside of Utica, in Bridgewater, NY for some of their Saranac beers in recent years.

See Saranac Hop Harvest story at their website.

That hop farm was once a major NY hop grower, for a time owned by Brooklyn's Edelbrew Brewing Co. (See Post-Repeal New York State Hops page for more historic info).