Regina brewery Malty National looking for local hops

Owners of Regina's Malty National brewery wantpeople to recognize hops are more than just a pretty plant.

Theyare hoping community members will harvest any hops they might have in their backyards and bring them to the brewery.

We use a lot of hops in a lot of our beer at MaltyNational so we thought it would be fun if we could make beer with hops people have growing right in Regina.- Adam Smith

Adam Smith is co-owner of Malty National and says many people in Saskatchewangrow hopsbecause it's a hardy perennial and an attractive plant.

"They'll grow anywhere between 12 to18 feetin a season and they come back every year," said Smith.

Although Smith says it's aprettyplant, they are interested in one specific part of it.

"At the end of the year, it produces fruit that people probably just leave on there," Smith said.

"We use a lot of hops in a lot of our beer at MaltyNational so we thought it would be fun if we could make beer with hops people have growing right in Regina."

People who donate their backyardbeeringredients will get a gift certificate to the brewery and are invited to see the brewing process, but Smith warnsknowing just when to harvesthopsis tricky.

If you peek inside the green cone on the plantSmith says there should be a yellow, sticky powder that's presentwhen the hop isready.

"And that's what we are after," Smith said.

"That's what givesus all of our great aroma and flavourin all of our hoppy beers here."

Timing is important because the brewery will need the hops right when the fruit is ready to go.

Smith says people who are interested in donating hopsshould keepan eye on Malty National's Instagram, Facebook page, and twitter account to watch for the call for hops and then "hop right to it."