I keep reading a lot about putting the rhisome in the ground or large pot for raised bed type growth. I can't decide which would be better and if I did a pot how big should I go (how small is too small)?
For a pot, go as big as you possibly can. A 20 gallon pot would be a minimum. I put my plants from Great Lakes Hops in 20 gallon pots last April and, although San Diego has an extended growing season, they grew through the bottom of the pot and digging around a bit I can see that the roots have wrapped themselves around the inside. They grow roots fast so give them room. Also, if you want to pot them make sure you have proper drainage in the bottom and you'll have to fertilize them more often then you might in the ground for the first couple months of their growth to coax them into growing big and strong.