Distinctive hops

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quixoticgeek

Distinctive hops

Post by quixoticgeek » Mon Jan 14, 2013 4:12 pm

I have agreed to brew up some beers for a tasting for some friends the idea is to keep the grain bill the same, and use 5 different hops, in single hop beers, to show the effects different hops have on the flavour/bitterness/ taste etc...

I am a bit stuck on which hops to use tho. So far my thinking is EKG (as a control effectively), Citra (Because it is so distinctive), Saaz (representing the Noble German hops). I am therefore looking for 1-2 other hops that are distinctive, tasty, and would help give a broad image of the impact hops can have on the beer.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

J
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gnutz2

Re: Distinctive hops

Post by gnutz2 » Mon Jan 14, 2013 4:45 pm

Out of the two i had in mind, you've picked one allready.

Citra and Nelson Sauvin, two very distinctive hops.
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Dave S
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Re: Distinctive hops

Post by Dave S » Mon Jan 14, 2013 4:50 pm

gnutz2 wrote:Out of the two i had in mind, you've picked one allready.

Citra and Nelson Sauvin, two very distinctive hops.
Cascade is also quite distinctive and I've heard good reports about Pilgrim, though I've not used them myself.
Best wishes

Dave
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Jocky
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Re: Distinctive hops

Post by Jocky » Mon Jan 14, 2013 4:57 pm

If you want something different then maybe look at Sorachi Ace, although looking around now it seems to be rather hard to find.
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Dr. Dextrin

Re: Distinctive hops

Post by Dr. Dextrin » Mon Jan 14, 2013 5:09 pm

Is Fuggles too obvious?
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Dave S
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Re: Distinctive hops

Post by Dave S » Mon Jan 14, 2013 7:48 pm

Dr. Dextrin wrote:Is Fuggles too obvious?
Fuggles is a fine hop.
Best wishes

Dave
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Beer O'Clock
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Re: Distinctive hops

Post by Beer O'Clock » Mon Jan 14, 2013 7:56 pm

Given that you are looking for two, then my choice would be Amarillo and Galaxy.
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barney

Re: Distinctive hops

Post by barney » Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:16 pm

Chinook is very distinctive, you could spot that a mile away once you have tasted it.
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Pinto
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Re: Distinctive hops

Post by Pinto » Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:24 pm

I trust you'll be going for a simple recipe and neutral yeast to let the hops stand out ? - be interested to see what your base is :)

My vote would be for Galaxy - I found the flavour and nose in Old Golden Hen to be outstanding as a single hop :) I was also surprised how the Brambling X i used in my xmas bitter gave good account of itself when up against quite potent spices !
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AnthonyUK

Re: Distinctive hops

Post by AnthonyUK » Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:00 am

NS is the marmite of hops so I would suggest that.
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Eric
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Re: Distinctive hops

Post by Eric » Tue Jan 15, 2013 11:47 am

Dave S wrote:
Dr. Dextrin wrote:Is Fuggles too obvious?
Fuggles is a fine hop.
Perhaps an example of how taste changes in a generation?
That would be the hop I would choose from which to compare all others.
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Dave S
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Re: Distinctive hops

Post by Dave S » Tue Jan 15, 2013 12:56 pm

Eric wrote:
Dave S wrote:
Dr. Dextrin wrote:Is Fuggles too obvious?
Fuggles is a fine hop.
Perhaps an example of how taste changes in a generation?
That would be the hop I would choose from which to compare all others.
Yes indeed. When I was brewing in the 70's and 80's I think there was a choice of around 6 varieties, maybe a few more but not many. Now the choice is definitely spoilt.
Best wishes

Dave
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pantsmachine

Re: Distinctive hops

Post by pantsmachine » Wed Jan 16, 2013 10:28 am

Northdown or Willamette would be my subtler choice for single hop.
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Padalac

Re: Distinctive hops

Post by Padalac » Wed Jan 16, 2013 12:15 pm

Bramling cross is meant to be very distinctive, i found first gold very distinctive also.
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robbarwell
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Re: Distinctive hops

Post by robbarwell » Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:07 am

I would go with good old Bramlin cross
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