FOOLCiRCLE

On Monday, I harvested my first round of hops for the year. Last year I only had one harvest, but this year it looks like I may have two, or three with the third being much smaller. Here is a multi-picture of my newest Cascade hops.

The first picture (in the upper left hand corner) is a bowl full of 5 oz. of fresh (not dry yet) hops. The second picture is of the hops drying in the dehydrator. There were almost three full trays this year, and they dryed in about five hours. The third picture is weighing the dried hops, they came in about an ounce and a half. And the final picture is a quart (32 oz.) mason jar filled to almost bursting to be stuck in the back of the dark cold freezer until it is time to brew. Hopefully, if the other two harvests go so well, I’ll be able to brew a single batch with all homegrown hops.

Check out last years hoppiness here: Hops 2004

OOOPPS! Well, It looks like I made a small mistake. Looks like I will NOT be invited to the 2005 MCAB, BUT that I WILL be invited to the 2006 MCAB. Why, you may ask? Well, unbeknownst to me, the year you qualify qualifies you for the FOLLOWING year. Fortunetly, I decided to write to Mr. David Houseman, who is basically in charge of the BUZZ group and he informed me of the following:

“When was it that you won a first in the Buzz Off, which is a qualifying event? Remember that the MCAB competition held each year allows entries from the qualifying events the prior year. The Buzz Off organizer for 2004 did not identify you as a first place winner. If you won a 1st place this year then you’d be invited for next year’s MCAB. Dave”

I see said the blind man as he picked up his hammer and saw! Obla Di – Life goes on!