[tmaurer]

My father-in-law discovered a 2 hop vines growing out in his back yard of a new home he just purchased.  Is there any way to identify these?  I've never dealt with whole hops.  Can you get a rough idea from their aroma?  Or do different hop vines have distinguishing features like leaves or something?

[MrNate]

There are some differences in appearance, but in my opinion the best thing to do is brew a simple pale ale using nothing but those hops and try to establish in your mind the particular qualities of your hops, rather than trying to pidgeonhole them into a specific breed. Unless, of course, they're clearly identifiable and indistinguishable from a commercially procured example.

I have one in my back yard I planted and can't remember the variety. It is now known to me as "Raritan Valley."

[aluminumpark]

I have one in my back yard I planted and can't remember the variety. It is now known to me as "Raritan Valley."

On the banks of the old raritan!!!