Pacific Gem Brews

[alefric]

Hi all just picked up up some of these and have never used them before. Do they make a good single hop brew? or can anyone suggest a good pairing with another hop.

Thanks

Andrew

[awalker]

Arent they a kind of lettuce!

[awalker]

Hi all just picked up up some of these and have never used them before. Do they make a good single hop brew? or can anyone suggest a good pairing with another hop.

Thanks

Andrew

Being slightly more serious must admit I have not used it Hopunion says

" Hopunion CBS, LLC

NZ ORGANIC PACIFIC GEM

Pedigree A triploid, high alpha variety released in 1987
Maturity Early/Mid Season
Yield 2700 kg./ha. or 2380 lb./ac.
Growth Habit Fairly vigorous
Disease/Pest Susceptibility No real disease problems
Pickability/Drying/Baling Normal
Cone-Structure Medium-dense clusters
Lupulin Plentiful
Aroma Pleasant, blackberry aroma
Alpha Acids 14 – 16% w/w
Beta Acids 8 – 8.4% w/w
Co-Humulone 39% of alpha acids
Storageability Very good
Total Oil 1.4% mls/100 grams
Myrcene 55% of whole oil
Humulene 18% of whole oil
Caryophyllene 7% of whole oil
Farnesene <1% of whole oil
General Trade Perception Widely used as a bittering hop. Woody flavor.
Possible Substitutions Unknown
Typical Beer Styles Organic Beers
Additional Information Starting to see some limited use in the US.
Considered to have some good future potential. "

Organic beer styles that helps

So it looks like it could be a nice bittering hop, might be best to use with low bittering first to see how you like it.
i.e. I have now found I like Brambling X but not as a single hop at 40IBU, 20IBU is more to my taste, Which I had gone from low to high that last brew was a real kicker like a pint of caffinee.

Hope that helps

[alefric]

They look a bit dry to go in salad......but i wouldnt put it past Jamie Oliver!!!.......Thanks for the info and advice,also Brupaks suggest that they are a dual pupose hop so i think i'll trial a brew using them for bittering (30IBUs) and lates(perhaps 10g) with some EKGs for flame out.

Cheers

Andrew

[Garth]

I've got some of them in the freezer alefric, let us know how you get on and what recipe you go with.

I was going to use them on their own like you have suggested, to learn what taste they give.

Something like my Nelson Sauvin Ale's grain bill (Pale and 7% light and dark crystal, plus a bit torrified) and P Gem in intervals throughout the boil.

I'll see if I can come up with a recipe.

[TAXMACKEM]

What about trying NZ Southern cross as aroma? They seem sympathetic---------. Mine still not here yet, shucks

[Aleman]

I love Pacific Gem, they are a great hop . . . . Watch them late in the boil though as the 'blackcurrant' flavour can come through quite strongly . .. possibly complimentary in a US style stout ?

I use them in pils styles as it cuts down on the amount of hops you need to use . .. being 6 times 'stronger' than Czech Saaz they make a good bittering addition saving the noble hops for later on in the boil.

I agree with PG and Nelson Sauvin as well . . . I suspect that could be a really good combination in an ale . . . golden style . . . Must get mine ordered from Ross

[Beerthoven]

I made an all Pacific Gem brew that I liked quite a lot. The blackberry flavor and aroma is noticeable, but not overwhelming. It is a nice change from the usual 'citrusy' American hops and works well with the high proportion of Vienna malt.

OG = 1.050
FG = 1.013
IBU = 35 - 40
Batch size = 5.5 gallons into the fermenter

(Apologies for the US units...)

5 lbs Pale Malt
5 lbs Vienna Malt
1/2 lb Crystal 15
1/2 lb Wheat Malt

0.5 oz Pac Gem 60 mins
1.0 oz Pac Gem 10 mins
1.0 oz Pac Gem 0 mins

Mash at 152 F, 60 mins
60 minute boil
Whirlfloc in boil at 10 mins

Ferment with SafAle US-05 at 65 F for 21 days
Carbonate to approx 2.4 volumes of CO2.

[alefric]

Thanks for the replies guys......going to sketch out a recipe over the next 2 weeks so will keep you up to date Garth. Aleman i intend to brew an english style bitter, what volume would you recommend to use as lates?. Either by weight or IBUs.

Cheers

Andrew

[Jaytee]

You could check out the recipes here for suggestionson what to use them in http://www.nzhops.co.nz/recipes/index.html

Cheers, jaytee

[alefric]

Thanks Jaytee i'll have a look at that

[Garth]

Hey Alefric,

I have this in the cornies now, smelt very good when brewing and fermenting, early tastings gave a pleasant 'woody' taste with a smooth bitterness. I'll have to wait and see what it tastes like when it's fully ready