Whitehall Garden Club News: September

Whitehall Garden Club "Hops" into Fall! The WGC meeting on September 6 started with a wonderful social time, full of delicious dishes created by Diane Ward and Barbara Lien. Members could cozy up to the buffet and enjoy two scrumptious egg dishes, fresh fruit, churro bites, and of course, the usual morning drinks. I say 'usual' because the guest speaker Cathy Hatch had something else up her "sleeve" a bit later. Thank you Barbara and Diane for helping us wake up with a taste of sunshine.

The guest speaker member, Cathy Hatch, regaled the WGC members with a discussion on hops, how they are grown, and the importance of the HOP in beer and ales. Did you know that the HOPS resin/acid is an antimicrobial, warding off spoiling during fermentation and through to the finished beer? Hops are a perennial plant with many varieties, successfully grown around the world in moderate climates. They are the green cone-shaped flowers of the plant.

Hidden inside each cone are tiny yellow pods or glands which are the source of the bitterness, aroma, and flavor in beer and what brewers use to craft beers. The brewers are always experimenting with the different flavors of the hops, creating all the different beers on the market today. Hops are also sold as nutritional supplements, (although most would rather drink this supplement, there is no scientific evidence to support health benefits, but many swear by the benefits. Wink-wink.) Although, there is some evidence that suggests drinking a non-alcoholic beer before bed will help you sleep and stay asleep.

All in all, the use of hops has been documented since the 9th century, varieties have changed, hops in gardens can add a wall of dark green climbing vines with a full green flower (cone) and will return each year, becoming more robust.

Thank you, Cathy, for delving into the history of hops, the multitude of varieties and uses of hops, and sharing with all of us a glass of non-alcoholic beer. Cheers!!