hop growing

Hello from the cherry capitol of the world, Traverse City Michigan.
Curiosity has hit me-
  1 how sensible is it to grow hops in n.w. lower michigan?
  2 which variety is the most requested?
  3 am I crazy for considering this venture?

Welcome koolerdog!  Tc is one of my faves, we have a shack on the beach just north of elk rapids.  I would think hops would grow.  You are on the same lattitude as wash and oregon, but I think they are a tad bit warmer.  I maybe imagining this, but I think I saw hops on the lealanau penninsula.

Welcome Koolerdog,

You can grow hops without worry. They grow like crazy once the get established. I grew enough hops in the second year to do a couple of batches. The first year you trim them to promote root growth. The second year I had over twenty foot of hop "bines" I had 2 Willamette, 2 Nugget, 2 Cascade, and 2 Kent Golding's. They are worth growing just as ornamental. I had as many people asking to see the hops as wanting to drink free (to them ) beer! If we can grow them in Wisconsin you can grow them in Michigan.