There is no better way to appreciate every aspect of beer–the science, the art, the flavor, the ingredients–than to brew it yourself.  If anyone has even slightly entertained the idea, I suggest you put your complacency on the shelf and dive into this most rewarding hobby.  I posit you will soon find it to be more than just a hobby, but an addictive lifestyle.  In fact, as I sit here sipping on my beer, I am thrilled with each flavorful sip knowing that I birthed it from an assortment of ingredients.  If you have any hesitation, just wait…Mike and I intend on a future series walking readers through the major steps of the brewing process.

One such ingredient, is the hop.  My next post I intend on expounding the history and qualities of this delightful herb, but for this post, I want to touch on a topic known as vertical integration.

Simply put, vertical integration is self reliance typically associated with any industry or type of production.   Take for example an auto company.  After drawing up plans for a specific model of car, they need a specific style of fender.  The auto producer could outsource the part.  They could hire a separate company to produce the fenders and ship it to the assembly plant (horizontal integration) or they could mold and produce the fender in-house (vertical integration).  There are benefits of vertical integration.  Cost saving are a possibility (but not always), but the most obvious benefit is the producer’s assurance of quality and a feeling of ownership and authenticity of the finished product.

Thus said, I have decided to incorporate vertical integration into my homebrewing and grow my own hops this summer for two reasons.  First is cost savings.  Hops are a pricey ingredient; however, the seeds are cheap.  Not only do I live in a suitable climate for growing the bitter preservative, but they are also an annual plant, meaning once planted they wil come back every year.  The second reason is that sense of assurance of quality and ownership.  The benefits of brewing a batch of beer with my own backyard-grown ingredients will ensure not only a unique product, but also a greater feeling of satisfaction accompanying each future sip.

I hope to eventually arrive at self sufficience.  To grow every ingredient in my backyard for at least one style of beer, but I know this may take years.  After much research, hops seemed the easiest and most logical starting point (plus the vine itself will add asthetic appeal to my property).  I am planning on documenting the growth of my hops on the blog.  If they fail, you will be a part of the experience nonetheless.

I am curious if any readers of this humble blog brew their on beer.  If so, have you taken steps to bypass third party products?  I really would love to know and would love for you to guest post on here.  Let us know, and stay tuned for my next post on hops, and future posts on home brewing and the growth of my own Humulus Lupulus (hops).

Cheers!