Colin and Jaclyn Smith, owners and operators at Hard Hels Hops, gave tours of their farm for Alberta Open Farm Days on August 15. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

alberta open farm days

Red Deer farmers proving Alberta-grown hops a worthwhile endeavour

Aug 15, 2020 | 3:09 PM

It’s one of the key ingredients in many great beers one might find at their local microbrewery, and its stocks can grow up to a foot per day.

Hops, in their many varieties, is an increasingly popular crop for Alberta farmers, including in Red Deer, where Jaclyn and Colin Smith operate Hard Hels Hops. They’re currently growing seven types.

Named for Jaclyn’s parents Harold and Helen who originally purchased the land in the 1980s, Hard Hels sits at Red Deer’s eastern border. On Saturday, they invited visitors for Alberta Open Farm Days to get an inside look at what’s going into our favourite brews and where it comes from.

“In 2018 was when we planted our first half acre. We started out in the oilfield where things have been super finicky for a number of years,” says Jaclyn. “We both come from farming backgrounds; our fathers and grandfathers were both farmers. We wanted to do something a little different, and we stumbled across hops. Knowing nothing about it, we did some research and just went for it.”

Crops of hops take three years to produce a full yield, they point out, with one acre netting 2500 to 3000 pounds once it reaches its maximum potential. May is about when the perennial’s stocks start shooting back up, and harvest is in September.

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The small batch wet hop brew Hard Hels did with Red Hart Brewing in 2019 used 85 pounds.

“That was amazing. The first time our hops went into a brew at Red Hart, we had smiles plastered on our faces for days,” Jaclyn says.

Adds Colin: “I had goosebumps dumping those hops into their tank. This is second nature to us. We love being outside, working with our hands and in the dirt, and we enjoy that a lot more than sitting in an office.”

Hops grown at Hard Hels Hops farm in Red Deer. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

“Most people are very excited when they hear we’re hop farmers. We’re trying to put Alberta hops on the map because right now, it’s not a very common crop you see around here,” Jaclyn explains. “It has taken some time and energy to get some people to consider Alberta hops.”

A large chunk of hops currently used, even by Alberta brewers, is from the Yakima area in Washington State, they note. Familiarity with hops from more established areas means it does indeed take time to make inroads and ensure that their hops are up to snuff.

Kristy Lawrence, part owner at Red Hart Brewing says in developing their business plan, they made a 90/90 promise.

“That means 90 per cent of our ingredients are sourced from within 90 kilometres of our brewery,” she explains. “Alberta is a great location for growing barley, and it’s world famous because we get those long hot summer days. But now hop farming is really starting to take off in central Alberta, and we’re so happy to support local.”

The most exciting aspect of Hard Hels’ operation is their recent purchase of a pelletizer, which makes them one of, if not the only hops farm in Alberta with such a machine.

The investment will allow them to provide hops, in pellet form, year-round, and they’ve already garnered more interest from breweries outside the Red Deer area because of it.

“Growing up, we took it for granted, I guess, knowing how to work the land. We have had so many people stopping in here even when we’re not open wondering what we’re doing. People are interested in hops and we didn’t expect that,” Jaclyn concludes.

“Tons of people love beer, but don’t know what goes into or where it comes from. For us to teach people about the hops and what goes into something they really love is amazing. It’s really important to show people what it takes.”

Alberta Open Farm Days runs through Sunday, August 16. To book a spot at one of the following locations, click, the corresponding link, or give that local a phone call.

Blindman Brewing – https://albertafarmdays.ca/farm/blindman-brewing-3/

Little Cherries on the Prairie – https://albertafarmdays.ca/farm/little-cherries-on-the-prairie-2/

HolmeHus Antiques – https://albertafarmdays.ca/farm/holmehus-antiques-at-the-farm/

Hard Hels Hops – https://albertafarmdays.ca/farm/hard-hels-hops/

Garlic Goodness – https://albertafarmdays.ca/farm/garlic-goodness-3/

White Treasure Farm – https://albertafarmdays.ca/farm/white-treasure-farm-3/

Troubled Monk – https://albertafarmdays.ca/farm/troubled-monk-2/