US, MI: Niles family growing hops to sell to area brewers

Ed Dohm was getting sick of mowing and pulling weeds on his empty two-acre property. He thought about using the land to grow fruits or vegetables, but that was just too common for the Pokagon Township resident.

After kicking around ideas with his sons, they sold him on the idea of planting hops, a primary ingredient in beer, Niles Daily Star reports.

“We wanted to do something different,” said Dohm, who was unemployed at the time and looking for something to do to “stay out of trouble.”

It turns out he picked the perfect time to start up a hops farm, as microbreweries are popping up all over the state. Michigan is home to more than 80 beer-makers, which ranks fifth in the country, and more are being added each year.

“This was an up-and-coming business,” Dohm said. “Everyone has been growing tomatoes and sweet corn and everything, so we figured we’ll get started on something a little different.”

Dohm attended a hops growing seminar put on by the Michigan State University Extension Office in Traverse City in 2008. The following year he and his sons, Joe and John, installed the poles, cables, trellises and irrigation system necessary for growing hops. They began marketing their business under the name Michiana Hops.

The first two growing seasons were “test batches” for the Dohms to perfect the growing and drying processes, but this year should produce a good harvest.

“It takes three years until the plants produce to their full extent,” Joe said.

The Dohms were able to grow more than 1,000 plants on the plot. In a good year, a plant can produce one pound of hops, Joe said.

The Pacific Northwest has been the national hotspot for growing hops, but the Dohms think, with the explosion of microbreweries, Michiganders are catching the hops hype.

“Our climate is pretty ideal for hops growing with the lake and the milder winters,” Ed said.

Ed, who said he’s never been a big beer drinker, admits that he has been learning about growing hops on the fly. And although he used to be a “Budweiser guy,” he has now become a bit of a craft beer connoisseur.

Hops provide aroma and bitterness to beer and come in dozens of varieties that brewers combine to create the perfect mix, he explained. The Dohms are currently growing cascade and chinook, since they are hardy and versatile varieties conducive for growing in Michigan.

Cascade hops are commonly used in American ales, while Chinook is a stronger, bittering hop used in stouts and porters.

Michiana Hops hasn’t sold any of its product to brewing companies yet. But the Dohms are in the process of working out a deal with Greenbush Brewing Co., a startup microbrewery in Sawyer. The company is shooting to open its tap room in May.

“They like the idea of buying local,” Joe said.

If business takes off, Michiana Hops has room to grow. Joe, who lives next door to his father, has several acres that they could use to turn their land into a true hops haven.

20 April, 2011