Have any of you ever brewed a michelob clone. I fancy doing a lager for summer (in case we get one), and this is one of my favs. It uses nobel hops but I cant find them on the HB shop sites I have looked at so would Hallertau do.
Thanks
Has any one brewed a michelob lager
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steve_flack
From Wikipedia
The term noble hops traditionally refers to four varieties of hop which are low in bitterness and high in aroma. They are the central European cultivars, Hallertau Mittelfrüh, Tettnanger, Spalter, and Saaz.[3] They are each named for a specific region or city in which they were first grown or primarily grown. They contain high amounts of the hop oil humulene and low amounts of alpha acids cohumulone and adhumulone, as well as lower amounts of the harsher-tasting beta acids lupulone, colupulone, and adlupulone.
Their low relative bitterness but strong aroma are often distinguishing characteristics of European-style lager beer, such as Pilsener, Dunkel, and Oktoberfest/Märzen. In beer, they are considered aroma hops (as opposed to bittering hops); see Pilsner Urquell as a classic example of the Pilsener style, which showcases Noble hops.
As with grapes, land where the hops were grown affects the hops' characteristics. Much as Dortmunder beer may only within the EU be labelled "Dortmunder" if it has been brewed in Dortmund, Noble hops may only officially be considered "Noble" if they were grown in the areas for which the hops varieties were named.
Some consider the English varieties Fuggle and East Kent Golding to be noble. They are characterized through analysis as having an alpha:beta ratio of 1:1, low alpha-acid levels (2–5%) with a low cohumulone content, low myrcene in the hop oil, high humulene in the oil, a ratio of humulene:caryophyllene above three, and poor storability resulting in them being more prone to oxidation. In reality this means that they have a relatively consistent bittering potential as they age, due to beta-acid oxidation, and a flavor that improves as they age during periods of poor storage.
The term Noble Hop is a traditional designation for hops grown in four areas within Bavaria or Bohemia, something like the French appellations for grapes & wine. Historically, these regions produced superior quality hops, particularly well suited for continental European style beers. Hops grown outside these regions cannot be 'Noble Hops' but nonetheless may be excellent hops.
Hallertau - The original German lager hop; due to susceptibility to crop disease, it was largely replaced by Hersbrucker in the 1970s and 1980s. (Alpha acid 3.5–5.5% / beta acid 3–4%)
Saaz – Noble hop used extensively in Bohemia to flavor pale Czech lagers such as Pilsner Urquell. Soft aroma and bitterness. (Alpha acid 3–4.5% /Beta acid 3–4.5%)
Spalt - Traditional German noble hop, with a delicate, spicy aroma. (Alpha acid 4–5% / beta acid 4–5%)
Tettnang – Comes from Tettnang, a small town in southern Baden-Württemberg in Germany. The region produces significant quantities of hops, and ships them to breweries throughout the world. Noble German dual use hop used in European pale lagers, sometimes with Hallertau. Soft bitterness. (Alpha Acid 3.5–5.5% / Beta Acid 3.5–5.5%)
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steve_flack
Basically it's like grapes, where a hop is grown affects what it tastes like (I believe it has a poncy name like 'terrior' or something). Sometimes the hop can be pretty close grown elsewhere or sometimes nothing like. For example in the US right now some shops have Argentine Cascades - they are nothing like US grown cascades.
Generally European 'noble' hops have not grown well when moved as-is in the US - hence the numerous Mittelfruh derived hops like liberty or Mt Hood that grow better there.
A noble hop is a noble variety grown it's original area. Hersbrucker isn't a noble variety even if it's grown in Hallertau. Hallertau Mittelfruh grown outside Hallertau isn't noble either. That's not to say they'd automatically be crap but they won't be the same as the original.
Generally European 'noble' hops have not grown well when moved as-is in the US - hence the numerous Mittelfruh derived hops like liberty or Mt Hood that grow better there.
A noble hop is a noble variety grown it's original area. Hersbrucker isn't a noble variety even if it's grown in Hallertau. Hallertau Mittelfruh grown outside Hallertau isn't noble either. That's not to say they'd automatically be crap but they won't be the same as the original.