Buy Fresh, Buy Local News

your source for locally grown happenings

Hops and Barley Workshop in Tomah, WI

Posted: March 8, 2011

Hops were once grown extensively in Western Wisconsin. While the Pacific Northwest is now a major world supplier of hops, the Driftless Region may be a player in the production of hops for local craft breweries.

Likewise, malting barley was once produced throughout the Midwest. There may again be opportunities for the production of malting barley in the Driftless Region for local industries.

On March 27, the University of Wisconsin-Extension, Cooperative Extension will host a seminar to explore the possibilities and challenges associated with production and marketing of hops and barley.

Western Wisconsin has a rich history in crop production, and these are two additional crops that may have promise noted workshop coordinators, Tim Rehbein, UW-Extension Vernon County agriculture agent and Carl Duley, UW-Extension Buffalo County agriculture agent.

The workshop will be held at the Skyline Golf Course, 612 North 11 Street, Black River Falls from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Topics and speakers include:

– The History of Beer in Wisconsin – In Search of the Perfect Pint; Robin Shepard, UW-Extension, author of Wisconsin’s Best Breweries and Brewpubs.
– Hop Production 101; Dr. Steven Kenny, Washington State University – Prosser Research Station, hop production specialist
– Malting Barley for the Craft Brew Industry; Peter Boettcher, brewmaster and maltser
– Wisconsin Hop Processing for Beer Production; James Altweiss, Gorst Valley Hops
– Bringing Wisconsin Hop, Barley and Brewers Together; Jon Reynolds, Wisconsin Hops and Barley Cooperative
– Experience from a Wisconsin Hop Yard; Kory Stalsberg, Wisconsin hop producer
– The Success is in the Details: The Logistics of it All; Bo Belanger, owner, South Shore Brewery
– Hop Production Tour of the Pacific Northwest; Tim Rehbein, UW-Extension Vernon County agriculture agent
– Malting Barley Projects in Wisconsin; Carl Duley, UW-Extension Buffalo County agriculture agent

Registration fees are $60 per person. The registration deadline is March 13. Please send registration information and payment-checks made payable to UW-Extension, to Vernon County UW-Cooperative Extension Ag Agent, 318 Fairlane Drive, Suite 392, Viroqua, WI 54665.