Gorst Valley Hops offers pelletizing, packaging, chemical analysis, storage, and distribution services. Please fill out the form below for 2009 harvest processing services
Pelletizing Simply put, pelletizing the process by which the hop cone is crushed, ground, and forced through a die under high pressure to make a uniform, dense pellet. Pellets have better long term storage characteristics, are more easily utilized by the brewer, and require much less storage room. The equipment is commercially available but typically very pricey.
GVH produces 6mm pellets using a custom small batch pelletizing mill cooled by liquid nitrogen. Moisture content of the hops must be within a narrow range (generally between 12-15% MC) to pelletize properly.Overdry hops will be rejected. Underdry hops will be dried by GVH but processing fees will be assessed on the initial wet weight. Losses are generally kept to a minimum but the grower can expect a reduced finished weight (0.5% - 3% by weight) due to mill loading and end-run spoils.
GVH monitors mill temperature constantly during the run, adjusting coolant, pressure, and speed to maximize quality. Hops will be assigned unique batch numbers that link every activity and corrosponding data (date, location, variety, mill conditions, chemical analysis, etc).
Packaging GVH uses oxygen barrier bags and an industrial vacuum sealers equipped with an inert gas flush. The procedure evacuates the air from the bag then injects inert gas (typically nitrogen) and evacuates again creating a vacuum within the bag. The bag is then heat sealed preserving the hops in an oxygen deprived environment. Less oxygen means less spoilage and longer shelf life.
Chemical Analysis GVH provides chemical analysis services required by all brewers. Testing packages vary and may include alpha acids, beta acids, IBU reporting, moisture content, oil content, cohumulone and oil fractionation. GVH only uses analytical methods described and sanctioned by the American Society of Brewing Chemists.
Storage
GVH make Quality its priority. As such we take every step to ensure freshness, including cold storage of packaged hops. Temperature impacts oxidation and even though the hops are gas flushed and vacuum sealed in barrier bags, GVH takes the extra step of storing either chilled or frozen.
Distribution GVH offers full distribution services to its Charter Growers and other members. This eliminates the need for the grower to handle shipping, invoicing, and collection issues and allows them to focus on growing. Our comprehensive supply chain management system ensures each sale can be traced back to every step in the process should any issues arise.
