Composting spent malt and hops from a brewery.

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allotment-shed

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Composting spent malt and hops from a brewery.
« on: September 21, 2014, 09:28 »
I would be pleased to hear opinions of adding spent malt and hops from a local brewery into a compost heap.

I think used hops should be OK but someone raised the question whether used malt grain is acceptable. In theory both are 'cooked' foodstuffs and therefore should not be added to compost.

Thanks for your time if you can help.
Regards.
Ron.


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BabbyAnn

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Re: Composting spent malt and hops from a brewery.
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2014, 09:32 »
there is a risk of attracting vermin but if it was me, it would be on the compost heap

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rowan57

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Re: Composting spent malt and hops from a brewery.
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2014, 09:37 »
Do it :) Balanced with plenty of 'carbon' in the form of twiggy stuff, newspaper, cardboard, sawdust etc. should make wonderful compost.

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kirpi

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Re: Composting spent malt and hops from a brewery.
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2014, 09:40 »
Ooh you lucky, lucky .....

I think either would be fine. Maybe try to mix the brewery stuff with lawn mowings, shredded hedge clippings etc to detract vermin from partying on it.

You will also attract slugs to that area while it is still strong smelling so I wouldn't just strew it on and plant through it with anything that slugs like.

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Kristen

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Re: Composting spent malt and hops from a brewery.
« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2014, 10:05 »
Surprised the brewery isn't selling the spent grains as a cattle feed? - much sought after I thought

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Floody

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Re: Composting spent malt and hops from a brewery.
« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2014, 12:45 »
A lot of home brewing gardeners use their spent malt as a mulch.  I'd stick it on the compost heap, no problem. 

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Ema

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Re: Composting spent malt and hops from a brewery.
« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2014, 15:30 »
I thought it was considered contaminated waste these days and most breweries need a waste management plan, can't feed it to cattle either.

My dad used to compost his home brew waste made the garden smell lovely

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Kristen

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Re: Composting spent malt and hops from a brewery.
« Reply #7 on: September 21, 2014, 16:48 »
I thought it was considered contaminated waste these days and most breweries need a waste management plan, can't feed it to cattle either.

Don't think that's right, widely available according to Google and spot price quoted on farmer info sites etc.

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ryetek

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Re: Composting spent malt and hops from a brewery.
« Reply #8 on: September 22, 2014, 13:14 »
I thought it was considered contaminated waste these days and most breweries need a waste management plan, can't feed it to cattle either.

Don't think that's right, widely available according to Google and spot price quoted on farmer info sites etc.

You are correct Kristen. They are called brewers grains and are widely available as an alternative animal feed.

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boldondig

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Re: Composting spent malt and hops from a brewery.
« Reply #9 on: September 22, 2014, 21:39 »
I am lucky to get spent hops from my local micro brewery. A couple of bags a week. I add it to my heaps, mix it with shredded paper , etc etc. It does compost well but needs mixing and turning occasionally as it can form hoppy layers. After a year or so it makes great compost. Did have some malty hops once - but the did exude a sticky paste which grew some wonderful mushrooms - I would avoid the malt ...



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