Simple Earth Hops in Wisconsin for Midwest brewers

2013 Hop Growers Roundtable Event June 22 in Dodgeville WI

2013-04-08T14:33:00.001-07:00

Our first farm event this year will be on Sat., June 22 where we are hosting the Simple Earth Hops 2013 Hop Growers Roundtable. This summer hopyard event will feature 2 hoppy presentations in the morning, a reception at lunch time and a forum discussion with hop growers Rich Joseph from Joseph Staudt Hop's and David Buss of Davali Ridge Farm both of the Wisconsin Hop Exchange.

ORDER TICKETS NOW for $45 per person at http://2013hops.eventbrite.com/ - Cheers to local beers!

More About This Event

2013 Hop Rhizome Pre-Orders Online

2013-03-13T00:14:00.000-07:00

Do you want to grow hops? Want better ingredients for your homebrew?

Finally, pick your own hops!

Simple Earth Hops is now selling hop rhizomes which you can plant in your backyard to grow your own hops! Hop rhizomes are easy to order at http://hops.goodsie.com

There's 7 varieties of hop rhizomes to choose from including:

The hop rhizomes are disease free -- they come from a clean hopyard and are sold in sets of 2. Order your hop rhizomes now online at hops http://hops.goodsie.com

Orders will begin to ship out in April! Cheers!

Wisconsin Hopyard Photo by Rachel Konsella

2013 Hopyard Volunteer Opportunities in Dodgeville, Wisconsin

2013-03-07T09:19:00.000-08:00

Hopyard Volunteer Openings Available in Dodgeville, Wisconsin

2013 Volunteer Opportunities Available at Simple Earth Hops in Dodgeville, Wisconsin

F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S E

Contact: Matt Sweeny, Simple Earth Hops / fattymattybrewing@gmail.com

Dodgeville, WI--Simple Earth Hops (http://www.simpleearthhops.com/) announced today that Matt Sweeny is recruiting commercial hops volunteers for the 2013 growing season. The volunteer opportunities are available by contacting Matt Sweeny via email at fattymattybrewing@gmail.com … Hopyard volunteer opportunities include stringing the hopyard in April, 2013, weeding throughout the year, running the irrigation and hopyard care. And beer might be a topic of discussion. Learn how we marketing local hops, see the Simple Earth Hops established commercial hopyard and share in how to use earth-friendly growing practices. Volunteer gigs will be scheduled from April 2013 on through the season into August at the hop harvest event and into September, 2013.

When: Volunteer Openings run from April, 2013 through September, 2013

Where: At the hopyard! 4352 State Road 23, Dodgeville, WI 53533

About: Simple Earth Hops was founded in 2009 to promote the business of hops and sustainable agriculture methods in the Midwest. Connect with them on Facebook

* Simple Earth Hops blog: http://www.simpleearthhops.com/.

* Photos and logos: http://goo.gl/SBRPj

Photos below by Rachel Konsella from the 2012 Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest

2012 Dodgeville, WI Hopyard Harvest Event Photos by Rachel Konsella

2013-02-20T09:52:00.000-08:00

Special thanks goes out to all the Event Staff that pitched in last August, 2012 for the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest...Thank You. Seriously, thanks! Rachel Konsella volunteered as the Hopyard Event Photographer & Facepainter. Thanks to Rachel and her friend Brian, we are proud to present many beautiful, professional photos featuring the 2012 hop harvest in Dodgeville, Wisconsin.


One of many 2012 Wisconsin hopyard harvest photos by Rachel Konsella (link to Facebook photos)

VIEW ALL PHOTOS
from the 2012 Hopyard Harvest in Dodgeville, WI

Share these photos on Facebook
View all hopyard harvest event photos on Google+
Follow Simple Earth Hops on Twitter @AnotherDesign

Read about our Community Garden Plot project in Dodgeville, WI

Event Map for the 2012 Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest

2012-08-23T00:45:00.000-07:00

Part of planning an event is accepting that things will always change.

Below and at this PDF download you will find the Event Map for the 2012 Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest. Ticket sales ended tonight so if you didn't register, just show up at 4352 State Rd 23, Dodgeville, WI and come straight to the event checkin area to register on site.

This year we moved the locations of some of the event features:

The beer is now being served off the west side of the market building;
The hop picking tent (which has also been dubbed the "beer garden"--stolen from the Great Taste of the Midwest) is located on a flatter area in "the bowl";
We've added the Kids Fun Zone located in front of the house which includes a playground, mister fun swings and face painting;
Camping has been added this year (which you can register and pay for on site)
The market building has been transformed into a hop head's merchandise heaven where we will be offering pewter hop cone jewelry, dried hop cones, hop candy, Simple Earth Hops "Hopyard Staff" t-shirts, "Cheers to local Beers" Simple Earth Hops pint glasses and more;
The performance stage at the beer garden/hop picking tent now has a real stage with a separate but connected tent.

Thank you!

8.25 Brewfest Update-Pig Roast Rejected, Community Potluck Lives on

2012-08-19T12:07:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately the pig roast has been rejected by the WI Health Dept who shut down our local pig roast operation due to the pig coming from our hopyard neighbor who is not "licensed to process" --local is not good enough.

My most sincere apologies to any of you who were really looking forward to the pig roast portion of the event. We are sad about this too.

Alternatively and in spite of big brother of us all -- the community potluck lives on where we will be sharing loads of nitrate free smoked brats; cheese brats; polish sausage and other brats with buns, sauerkraut; mustard and buckets of baked beans free of high fructose corn syrup!

Register Online or Wait and Register On Site

Hopyard Brewfest Free Tickets Still Available - SIGN UP NOW!

2012-08-06T08:42:00.000-07:00

There are a limited number of free tickets remaining for the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest at 4352 State Rd 23, Dodgeville, WI on Saturday, August 25, 2012. Registration for this event ends Wednesday, August 22.

Adult Activities

Hop Picking @ Noon-5pm
Free beer samples @ Noon-11pm
Free Parking
Hopyard Tours
Camping at the event $20 (Fri and/or Sat nights)
Community Potluck @ 6pm (bring a dish to pass, sliverwear and plates)
~~$10 Pig Roast @ 6pm~~

Bands Performing

Before the War
Earthlings
MooGrass String Band
BSJ

Family Activities

Bouncy castle
Hay rides to the hopyard
Free rootbeer
Misting funzone
Free music all day
Facepainting
Camping at the event $20 (Fri and/or Sat nights)
$10 Pig Roast @ 6pm
Potluck @ 6pm (bring a dish to pass, sliverwear and plates)
Bonfire at dusk

Event Registration Online for Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest powered by Eventbrite

Links and Media Partners

Participating Brewers
Facebook Event Page
Event Press Release permalink: http://hops.me/54b7
WI Farm Report
MidwestMicroBrews
Media Library
Heavy Table

Beer Tasting + Camping + Pig Roast + Hop Picking = Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest

2012-07-26T15:33:00.000-07:00

The ticket ordering site at http://hopharvest.eventbrite.com for the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest on Saturday, August 25th now has an added ticket option to camp at the event site Friday and/or Saturday nights for a suggested donation of $10-30 for the weekend. You can camp Friday night, Saturday night or both nights near the hop picking tent. Simple Earth Hops is now being required to pay a special camping permit fee to the local Government for camping for the weekend so we are covering costs here. You are also welcome to register for a free event ticket and donate what you can for camping on site.

Also notice that you can register for the pig roast so we know how many attendees we will be feeding.

Media Partners

2012 Hop Harvest Brewfest Press Release Being Distributed

2012-07-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

Marketing for the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest is in full swing. We are sending out the press release below to writers, bloggers and other beer industry news outlets:

Free Event—Sample Beer and Pick Hops in Dodgeville, Wisconsin

Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest Returns to the Farm on August 25, 2012

F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S E

Media Contact
Matt Sweeny | Simple Earth Hops | 262-210-4077 | fattymattybrewing@gmail.com

Media Library/Press Photos→ http://hops.me/54b8

DODGEVILLE, WISCONSIN (July 19, 2012)
Simple Earth Hops will celebrate the harvest of their 3rd year crop by hosting the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest–a family friendly beer tasting and hop picking event in Dodgeville, Wisconsin on Saturday, August 25, 2012.

"We are pleased to offer local beer samples from a hand full of talented Southwestern, Wisconsin brewers!"

This free community event provides a family friendly space with free beverage samples, kids activities and live music for more than 100 attendees who will lend a hand from Noon to 5pm to pick hops at the hopyard (w/ a community potluck at 6pm) on the farm at 4352 State Road 23 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Ticket registration is free and required at http://hopharvest.eventbrite.com

About→ Simple Earth Hops was founded in 2009 to promote sustainable business values through growing local hops in the Midwest for small brewers. Connect on Facebook about this event or register for tickets.

When→ Saturday, August 25, 12pm-11:00pm - CST (w/ a community potluck at 6pm)

Where→ 4352 State Road 23, Dodgeville, WI 53533

###

Media Library/Press Photos→ http://hops.me/54b8
Free Ticket Registration→ http://hopharvest-efbevent.eventbrite.com/
Participating Brewers→ http://goo.gl/maps/kXY7

Hopyard Website→ http://www.simpleearthhops.com/
Facebook Event→ http://hops.me/54b6
Merchandise→ $10 pint glass, $25 shirt @ http://hops.goodsie.com
Press Release permalink→ http://hops.me/54b7

MEDIA PARTNERS

Tickets Available for Simple Earth Hop Harvest Brewfest

2012-07-02T14:41:00.000-07:00

We are excited to announce that the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest will return to the farm in Dodgeville, Wisconsin on Saturday, August 25, 2012.

* Press Release permalink: http://hops.me/54b7
* Facebook Event: http://hops.me/54b6

Order tickets at http://hopharvest.eventbrite.com/ Event Ticket Options option include a commemorative Simple Earth Hops "Cheers To Local Beers" beer tasting glass and/or a Simple Earth Hops "Hopyard Staff" t-shirt.

Commemorative Simple Earth Hops "Cheers To Local Beers" beer tasting glass

Simple Earth Hops "Hopyard Staff" event T-shirts

Participating Brewers

View Participating Brewers at the 2012 Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest in a larger map

Event Media Partners

Hopyard Event Staff Wanted for Aug 25 Brewfest

2012-06-26T06:06:00.000-07:00

**JULY 10, 2012 UPDATE**

2012 Staff Registration has now been filled however...

You still have the opportunity to be a part of the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest by registering for free tickets at http://hopharvest.eventbrite.com/. Show your hopyard love by purchasing a Simple Earth Hops "Hopyard Staff" shirt or a commemorative "Cheers To Local Beers" pint glass at http://hops.goodsie.com/

We are stoked to announce that the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest will return to the farm in Dodgeville, Wisconsin on Saturday, August 25, 2012. Tickets for this local beer tasting-hop picking event will be made available in July.

In the mean time...

We are looking to fill the following volunteer event staff positions:

~~Hopyard Staff Manager~~
~~Tasting Glass distribution~~
~~Hopyard event registration/reception~~
~~Hoppy Merchandise~~
~~Server / Pourer~~
~~Designated driver~~
~~Hop Picking Manager~~
~~Setup/ tear-down/ clean-up~~
~~Parking & Hopyard Bouncers~~
~~Master of Ceremonies/Announcer~~
~~Face Painting~~
~~Hopyard Harvester~~
~~Band Roadie~~
~~Hop Drying~~
~~Hopyard Photographer~~

~~→ SIGN UP HERE ←~~

Benefits to being a event staff member

~~Participation and experience from being a part of a beer festival event~~
~~Moderated sampling of beer while you are at this event while you work (except for some team members like the designated driver).~~
~~Warm fuzzy feelings of knowing that are helping to spread the good word about local craft beer and local hops.~~
~~A tasting glass for you to enjoy local beer with.~~
~~A chance to meet other hop growers and new friends.~~

Important Info

~~Staff members are requested to volunteer from 8am to 5pm at this event.~~
~~You will receive your team/shift assignment by email.~~
~~This event takes place at 4352 State Road 23, Dodgeville, WI 53533 on Saturday, Augus t 25, 2012.~~
~~All the information you provide here is strictly confidential! We promise not to share it with anyone.~~
~~All event staff volunteers must be a minimum of 21 years of age before the event to volunteer.~~
~~Be aware that volunteers represent Simple Earth Hops and we don't like mean people.~~
~~Volunteering for this hopyard event may not be for you. We want friendly, fun, warm and dedicated volunteers only who don't mind being around people who are consuming beer and possibly being loud.~~

~~→ SIGN UP HERE ←~~

**Waiver of Liability

By submitting the Hoppy Registration Form, staff volunteer agrees to bear full responsibility and full liability for any and all damage or injury which might result from volunteering at this Simple Earth Hops farm event. Staff volunteers also releases and agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the Sweeny family and the Kerr family, event sponsors and their insurance carriers from any and all claims, actions or damages without any limitation whatsoever, whether consisting of personal injury, property damage or death that results in any way from any act of the volunteer while attending or volunteering at this Simple Earth Hops event.

NOTICE!

Completing this volunteer application does not guarantee your participation in the volunteer program. We will confirm your volunteer involvement as soon as possible so that you can enjoy some other fun, local event if you need to.

Poster Art Approved for Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest

2012-06-20T22:54:00.004-07:00

Simple Earth Hops of Dodgeville, WI is proud to announce the 1st release of poster artwork for the 2012 Harvest Brewfest which will be on Saturday, August 25, 2012.

More details will be available in the coming weeks for this “Brewing Up The Community” celebration - an all day beer tasting environment for 100+ VIP attendees who will participate in hop picking at the hopyard farm in Dodgeville, Wisconsin.

Event tickets will be required and available after July 1. Keep your hoppy palettes open for this family-friendly event which will also feature hopyard tours, live music and beer samples and a community potluck with bonfire in the evening.

Stay tuned to the Simple Earth Hops Facebook page for the most up-to-date news.

Wisconsin Hopyard Internship Now Available in Dodgeville, WI

2012-04-24T16:30:00.000-07:00

Simple Earth Hops has an opening for a hopyard intern to work on our 200 plant hopyard in the rolling hills of Southwest Wisconsin. The hopyard is located in Dodgeville, 1/2 mile north of Governor Dodge State Park. The internship will run from June through early September 2012.

General Farm Description:

Simple Earth Hops operates a sustainable hopyard which is used for education, research and demonstration and is located near Governor Dodge State Park at Greenspirit Farm CSA. The hopyard is planted with old and new varieties of hops and was founded with the idea of providing a much needed agricultural product for local craft brewers. This Dodgeville, Wisconsin small-scale commercial hopyard is owned and operated by the Sweeny family of Dodgeville who cultivate biodiversity to slowly grow earth friendly hops for local brewers with similar locavore ethics.

Simple Earth Hops was established to demonstrate that local farmers can produce a consistent, sustainable supply of quality hops by working directly with local craft brewers while still maintaining a focus on ecology, the land and the people involved.

Internship Position Compensation:

- Housing is provided in exchange for work on the farm
- The number of hours per week is VERY flexible
- Housing includes a guest bedroom, with bath, kitchen, etc
- This is not a paid internship
- You will be required to provide meals

Intern's Primary Responsibilities:

- All aspects of the Farm’s production
- planting rhizomes
- trellis construction and maintenance
- hopyard irrigation
- working with local brewers
- field preparation
- cultivating/weeding
- harvesting
- farm events
- Wisconsin Hop Exchange meetings
- assisting with the CSA every week

Skills Required:
- A good attitude
- Willing to learn
- An open mind
- Able to work outside in the sun and rain (with exception)
- An interest in beer is not required but is recommended
- You don't mind kids
- Nunchucks
- A rain coat

Benefits of being an Intern with Us:

Educational.
We will teach you everything that we know.
We will give you access to all the research and relationships that we have established for the hopyard.
Provides a unique opportunity.
This Organic farm gives you a chance to watch life grow from the ground up and literally taste the fruits of your labor as we use the hops to make beer for our hopyard events.
Fun and Useful Experience.
This is an excellent chance to get your hands dirty and learn about sustainable commercial hops production in the Midwest.
Exceptional Location.
We are blessed with one of the most beautiful locations in Wisconsin. The hopyard is located 1/2 mile from the State's 2nd largest State Park: Governor Dodge State Park. Because of this location, you will benefit from being centrally located in a recreational paradise, with a hiking system of more than 40 miles or trails, several nearby lakes, camping, yummy local beer, good food and a community of locavores.

How to Apply

To apply for the internship, send an email (to fattymattybrewing@gmail.com) with:

your contact info [your address and phone number]
a resume;
2 or more references and;
a letter of interest including the following information:

* Why do you want to be an intern at Simple Earth Hops?
* What experience have you had working on a farm and/or with hops?
* Do you like beer?
* Do you have specific skills to offer?
* What do you feel you can learn here?
* Do you have your own transportation?

Please be sure to include your complete address, phone number and available start date so we can contact you about your application.

Please send the above info to fattymattybrewing@gmail.com

Beer Release Party at Great Dane Downtown Madison April 19th

2012-04-17T14:50:00.000-07:00

The Wisconsin Hop Exchange is proud to announce a Beer Release Party & WHEx Open House at the Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company on April 19, 2012 at 6pm at their downtown Madison brewpub on Doty Street.

This Beer Release Party is open to the public and organized to celebrate yet another locally sourced beer made with hops grown by the Wisconsin Hop Exchange Cooperative's Grower Members - aka come help us drink all their WI hopped beer!

As described by the Great Dane, this beer is called HopSconsin Imperial Red is a:

"...light amberish red with intense aromatic hop nose and is frighteningly drinkable..."

This particular ale pays homage to the hop being 9.25% ABV and was brewed at the downtown Madison brewpub.

Meet some Wisconsin hop growers
Lean about hops grown in Wisconsin
Get hops to make your own beer
Pickup a WHEx t-shirt or sticker

WHEN

6 to 9pm on April 19, 2012

WHERE

The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co’s downtown location at 123 E. Doty Street, Madison, WI.

READ MORE

Read this event’s official press release. Got friends who live near Madison and like beer? Print out the event PDF and share this event on Facebook

Show your support and come enjoy some local craft beer made with Wisconsin Hops!

Brewing Up a Community Commercial Hops Webinars

2012-01-29T00:15:00.000-08:00

Simple Earth Hops is proud to present the Brewing Up a Community Hops Webinars

Get tickets @ http://hopsontap.eventbrite.com/
View the Hops Webinars Schedule @ http://www.mattsweeny.com/hops-webinars/

Read the press release!

A MONTHLY EVENT on the
3rd SATURDAY OF MARCH-APRIL-MAY

2 Hops Webinars per day on:

Saturday - March 17
Saturday - April 21
Saturday - May 19

The cost for each webinar is $20 and each webinar is 2 hours long.

Commercial Hops Webinar Choices

Morning Hops Webinar: [10am - 12pm CST]

Q&A, Marketing & Processing Commercial Hops Webinar / This Hops Webinar is dedicated to just answering your questions with a focus on marketing and processing hops.

SOLD OUT!
Afternoon Hops Webinar: [2pm - 4pm CST]
Marketing & Processing Hops Webinar / Whether you are selling hops to your local brewmaster down the street or setting up a website to sell your hops online to homebrewers, you will want to know what do with your hops once they are done growing right?

Late Night Hops Webinar: [9pm - 11pm CST]

Q&A, Hopyard Establishment & Sustainable Growing Webinar / This webinar is dedicated to answering your questions about how to setup a small scale commercial hopyard and how to use earth-friendly growing practices while still providing a profitable yield.

You can also buy tickets for a Personal Hopyard Tour which exists to give us with time to answer your questions in person, share a beer together and walk around the hopyard to see the small scale commercial hopyard in Dodgeville, WI.

Get tickets @ http://hopsontap.eventbrite.com/
View the Hops Webinars Schedule @ http://www.mattsweeny.com/hops-webinars/

Place multiple ticket orders if you'de like to attend webinars on different days. The individual webinars are presented independant from each other. The tickets offered for the Brewing Up a Community Hops Webinars give you a 2 hour session to talk with Matt Sweeny, ask questions and hopefully learn some too. A requirement for attending the Hops Webinars is that you must have a beer in hand!

Have a question about this event?

Ask Matt Sweeny directly at http://www.vcita.com/matt.sweeny
Post your question on the Hops Webinars Facebook Event Page

Hops Webinar Marketing Partners

Brookston Beer Bulletin
Commercial Hops Webinar press release [Google Docs]
Commercial Hops Webinars Press Release on PRLog.org
madison.Craigslist.org
Hops Webinars promo video
Hops Webinars event on Linked In
Fatty Matty Brewing blog

Wholesale Hop Rhizome Pre-ordering ends Jan. 15, 2012

2012-01-09T11:30:00.000-08:00

You can now pre-order (wholesale quantities only) hop rhizomes for 2012 at http://hops.goodsie.com/

Pre-ordering ends Jan. 15, 2012. Don't wait, pre-order now!

As of Jan. 5, 2012, these hop rhizome varieties are available at http://hops.goodsie.com/ :

Brewer's Gold
Cascade
Centennial
Chinook
Columbus
Galena
Nugget
Mt. Hood
Perle
Sterling
Willamette

As you make plans to grow hops at home (to brew with in your own beer), to grow hops on the farm or expand your current commercial hopyard), Simple Earth Hops is proud to offer a 2012 hop rhizome pre-ordering option for hops which may grow best in the Midwest.

As you make choices about which hops to by you can review our Hop Variety Profile spreadsheet available on Google Docs at http://goo.gl/Oa5Av

** These hop rhizomes ARE NOT necessarily certified Organic! **

Hop Rhizome Sources
Most of these varieties do not come directly from our hopyard in Wisconsin but rather, are sources from other local Midwest hopyards and other reliable local hop growers in the U.S.A.

Wholesale Rhizome Pricing
Minimum order is 100 hop rhizomes. We reserve the right to change prices based on supply and demand.

Wholesale Hop Rhizome Limited Availability
Hop rhizome supplies are limited! You'll have a better chance to get your complete hop rhizomes order filled by pre-ordering early. First come first serve! Simple Earth Hops reserves the right to limit quantities on all varieties based on supply when you order. Varieties that are sold out will be refunded.

Shipping
Due to the quarantine on hops coming from outside the States of Washington and Idaho, we can't ship to those States. We also do not ship to Hawaii or out of the U.S. These rhizomes will ship days after being dug out of the ground and shipment will be in late March or some time in April.

Participate in a hops group webinar meeting

2012-01-08T02:36:00.000-08:00

Would you like to participate in a hops group webinar meeting or individual hop webinar meeting?
Please email me at fattymattybrewing@gmail.com if you are interested in registering for an individual or group hop questions webinar meeting.

Spread the good word about my need for an employer with my resume/portfolio.

Here's a heads up to everyone with all the really good questions about growing commercial hops and for all the folks sending emails about how to setup a commercial hopyard trellis using black locust poles. Thank you for the awesome opportunity to share quality local information to you.

- Matt Sweeny,

Wisconsin hops past seasons photos and links

2011-11-18T12:05:00.001-08:00

Slower. Smaller. Local.

We did it. Hops were sold locally! Yeah!

With the 2010 and 2011 hopyard seasons complete and behind us, our Dodgeville, Wisconsin grown hop plants now lay dormant in the hopyard.

Thank you to all the past Simple Earth Hops event attendees for your help in the hopyard and for your contribution to our Brewing up a Community efforts. Special thanks also goes out to John Christiansen, Greenspirit Farm, the Wisconsin Hop Exchange, Weber Organic and the Brewery Creek Brewpub in addition to Northern Brewer, the gracious musicians, volunteers and local brewers who donated beer to our past seasons' hopyard events and Bob Bero of B-Hoppy Hop Candy co.

Below is a wrap-up of some of our most memorable hopyard/farm event moments from the past two season and a list of where you can follow Simple Earth Hops.

2010-11 Wisconsin Hop Photos

Simple Earth Hops social media profile

Wisconsin hops featured on MN Public Radio

2011-10-03T09:35:00.000-07:00

On Septemeber 27, 2011, Matt Sweeny of Simple Earth Hops was interviewed by Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl who is a Senior Editor at Minnesota Monthly. This interview was used as content in an article "Dining with Dara: Hops to make locavores happy" and broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio's "All Things Considered" on September 29. This well written article by Dara also includes an interview with Todd Haug, brewer at Surly Brewing Company of Brooklyn Center, MN. Here is a short clip from the Sept., 29 article from MNPR:

"I'm pushing for this whole industry to be different," Sweeny told me. He wants local producers to sell to local brewers, build relationships, and see themselves as partners to brewers, who in general are artisans or craftspeople and whop don't see themselves as run-of-the-mill widget makers.

Mulchfest, hop sales and surveys, oh my

2011-09-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

2011 Mulchfest Beer Exchange
If you missed the fun at the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest or just didn't have enough time to really sit down and talk about growing hops, here is your chance. We are excited to offer just 12 tickets for the 2011 Hopyard Mulchfest Beer Exchange. Ask about on site overnight accommodations - I'll provide tasting glasses to use, dinner and working gloves and you bring your favorite local beer to share. Tickets for this 2nd annual networking opportunity are at http://mulchfest.eventbrite.com/

Short URL to register for tickets: http://hops.me/7da
Short URL to view this event on Facebook: http://hops.me/7d9

Two weeks of whole leaf hop sales
Now that all the hops have been dried, whole leaf hop orders are being accepted at http://hops.goodsie.com/ - these will be pelletized an no longer available as whole leaf hops in less than 2 weeks.

Short URL to order hop products: http://hops.me/6zn

Attendee and Staff Survey
(from the 2011 Simple Earth Harvest Brewfest)
We don't know everything about event planning (let alone horticulture or how to run a sustainable business). If you attended or volunteer at the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest, please give us some feedback using this survey platform to help narrow marketing campaigns and focus our community efforts.

Short URL for the event survey: http://hops.me/7d4
This questionnaire will not give you "survey burnout" and will take you less than a few minutes to fill out.

Subscribe via Email
You can now subscribe to updates about hop sales, hopyard events and other website posts via Feedburner, this service will send you an email every time we update the website. Subscribe to our website updates via email now!

Short URL to subscribe for email updates: http://hops.me/7d8

Photos from the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest
Below is a link to some of the photos taken at this year's Harvest Brewfest. You can also view and comment on the photos on Picasa.

Short URL for Harvest Brewfest Pics on Picasa: http://hops.me/7db

Pre-orders now available for Wet Hops thru August 18th

2011-07-28T23:39:00.000-07:00

ATTENTION WET HOP ALE LOVIN' BREWERS!

Through August 18th, Simple Earth Hops is proud to announce the release of this once-a-year opportunity for wet hops pre-order sales at http://hops.goodsie.com

Pre-orders are available until August 18, 2011 for Cascade, Mount Hood and Perle wet hops which will deliver to your brewpot around Tuesday, August 23rd.

Check out more pictures at Picasa and videos on our YouTube channel of an early harvest on 8/2/11.

Once-a-year wet hoportunity
A homebrew batch of Sweet and Spicy Ginger Cookie Nut Brown Ale was blessed this week with a wet hopping addition of these Mount Hoods which are eagerly flavorizing and bursting with fresh hop aroma in the conditioning keg which will be served at the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest.

In collaboration with the Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest, these hops will be picked, packaged and immediately sent via USPS next day shipping.

Supplies for these fresh, green or wet hops are limited so pre-order now and don't delay.

Sale ends 8/18.

For more information and to pre-order, visit http://hops.goodsie.com/

Check out some pictures and videos of an early harvest on 8/2.

Why Wet Hops?
Brewers like to use fresh, wet hops because they provide a unique, strong hop aroma and flavor not typically found in the standard dried hops (let alone what is left after pelletizing). Additionally, the fresh, wet hops which you will receive from Simple Earth Hops are only available immediately after harvest in late summer, making them a special, once a year flavor-filled opportunity.

REFUNDS HAPPEN! This Is Farming.
Please don't be offended if we can't deliver on your pre-order. We love you, the brewer, who crafts such tasty choices! If we had a Refund Policy, it would read: THIS IS FARMING! Due to the unpredictable nature of farming, we are unable to guarantee pre-orders. In the unfortunate situation that a pre-order cannot be fulfilled (due to an act of God like weather conditions such as hail or a tornado in the hopyard the day before the harvest) a full refund will be given.

More about Wet Hop Sale

Wet hop sales event on CraftBeer.com
Mount Hood wet hops via the Madison Homebrewers Taster's Guild
Goodsie Site of the Day
HomeBrew Talk
The Brewing Network
Locavore Roundup
Facebook Event

What have you done for local Wisconsin hops

2011-07-18T13:47:00.000-07:00

Simple Earth Hops needs your help to raise funds for sustainable farm events and innovative hopyard! Please get involved in this project as a donor via Kickstarter at http://hops.me/6up, if you care about beer and sustainability.

Kickstarter is a unique method for great ideas to receive funding through an 'all or nothing' funding method where projects must be fully funded through donations or no money changes hands.

Take a minute to read over the project and watch the short 5 minute movie.

This project will support an outreach event and will help with hop growing costs at a community based commercial hopyard-located in Wisconsin. The goal of this project is to cover some operating costs and the cost of hosting our next farm event where we use education to demonstrate to the community about sustainable farming methods and to share with others the economic opportunity presented by growing hops as a high demand local crop for small brewers. In 2009 Simple Earth Hops secured a USDA grant to recoup the cost of building our hopyard, but support for outreach events and some growing expenses is still need.

If you would, please see what you can do at http://hops.me/6up.

Other Local Sites Featuring this Post

Driftless Appetite

Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest Tickets Available

2011-06-28T15:06:00.000-07:00

Simple Earth Hops is proud to announce the Harvest Brewfest on August 20, 2011 from 9am to 8pm.

This “Brewing Up The Community” celebration provides an all day beer tasting environment for 160 VIP attendees who will lend 2 hours throughout the event day to pick hops at the hopyard at Greenspirit Farm CSA in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Event registration is required at http://harvestbrewfest.eventbrite.com or using the free ticket registration form below.

When registering for free tickets, attendees will indicate which 2 hour shift (between 9am-5pm) they will be available to help pick hops at the event.

Attendees will not only get hands-on experience harvesting the plants, but will learn about the benefits of growing local hops while tasting local craft beer at a friendly community space. This event will also feature tours of the hopyard with live music and beer samples from 9:00a.m. - 8:00p.m. A community potluck (dish to pass required) will begin at 6:00 p.m.

What to Bring:

Lawn chair
your favorite tasting glass
snacks to cleanse your palette
a dish to pass for the potluck
bug spray and sunscreen

When: Saturday, August 20 - 9:00 am-8:00 pm - CST

Where: Simple Earth Hops / 4352 State Road 23, Dodgeville, WI

Contact: Matt Sweeny at fattymattybrewing@gmail.com / SimpleEarthHops.com

Hop Sales
Wet, fresh/green hops from this Dodgeville area hopyard event are now available for pre-sale here until August 18th here: http://hops.goodsie.com/

This Event in the News:

Register for Free Tickets

Online Ticketing for Simple Earth Hops Harvest Brewfest powered by Eventbrite

Thank you for attending our Wisconsin hops event

2011-05-24T07:51:00.000-07:00

The turnout for the Hopyard Spring Training [beeradvocate.com link] this weekend was outstanding. To all weekend hops and beer event attendees-thank you for coming out, sharing and working in the hopyard with such questionable weather. Also, thanks to Josh Sobo, Chuck Tuura, Rich Joseph, Beckie and D, Renea, John Christianson, Charlie Rhower, Andrew and Jennifer Kerr, the Chicago guys from CHAOS and so many others for your help and attendance. Below are some pictures by Beckie and Chuck of this weekend's Wisconsin commercial hops event.

Home grown episode on Discover Wisconsin

2011-05-03T09:45:00.000-07:00

Simple Earth Hops is featured on an episode of Discover Wisconsin which aired the weekend of April 24th. This "Home Grown – Opportunity Wisconsin" episode features Iowa County, WI locals:

Lake Louie Brewing in Arena at the 9:45 mark
Simple Earth Hops in Dodgeville at the 13.28 mark
Innovation Kitchen in Mineral point at the 14:45 mark

Wisconsin maybe known as America’s Dairyland but there are many individual farmers across the state who grow or raise other products that are vital to the state’s agri-economy. Southwest Wisconsin is particularly known for its organic farms especially in the Kickapoo Valley region. There’s the farmer who raises beef cattle who supplies local restaurants so they can serve some of the tastiest burgers around. Or the local hops grower who sells his produce to local micro-breweries for that homegrown flavor. And there are the apple orchards that have been picking locally grown apples for decades and selling them all over the Midwest. We salute the farmers who grow local-sell local to keep the economy fresh and growing.

Source permalink: http://kididdel.com/Channels/ChannelView/tabid/66/Default.aspx?rid=8Wt34U0qtTf1vDIGtZxvbQ%3d%3d