So, I've been reading about hops, the amazing little flowers that give beer its bitterness. On a recent trip to Oregon, I visited a homebrewer who had two tall, magnificent bines growing from planters in his backyard.

Since I got back, I've been curious about the potential for growing hops here in Alabama. It's commonly repeated wisdom, apparently, that hops grow best between latitudes 35N and 55N. Wouldn't you know it, the 35th parallel is Alabama's northern border. However, there are plenty of reports online of hobbyists growing hops successfully well south of that line. 

Are you among those who've trained these clockwise-climbing creepers? If you're growing hops here in the Heart of Dixie, I'd love to hear from you. Drop me a line (or a bine?) at bcunningham -at- annistonstar.com, or leave a comment below.