If you have a hop related question about International Bittering Units or alpha acid, post it here!
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raiderman
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by raiderman » Fri Mar 16, 2012 2:06 pm
leedsbrew wrote:Eadweard wrote:Simcoe, horrible overpowering pine. And I agree with Scuppeteer the aramis beer was very disappointing.
Hands down my fav hop along with citra! Lol
Love em both I've got a batch fermenting thats 100g citra and 66g simcoe all added in the final 20m, smells like a newly opened packet of hops. Amazing.
Mount Hood is one I've never got on with. I also own a bag of Crystal - which is related but i've been persuaded to try it in a california wheat - so heres hoping!
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Beer O'Clock
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by Beer O'Clock » Fri Mar 16, 2012 2:21 pm
I have done some experimenting of late with different combinations rather than the usual hop blends. There is as yet no overall pattern but certain just taste crap when teamed with others or solo. This doesn't make them bad. Just not used to their best.
Individual hop characteristics can be hidden or accentuated by the accompanying hop. I recently did a Apollo/Galaxy/Simcoe blend to about 40 IBU. The Galaxy was overpowered by the Simcoe and was not really to my taste. It developed in a very different way than expected. Hopefully time will help.
However, an earlier Apollo/PoR/Simcoe to similar IBU was beautifull. The Simcoe really shone through.
I will continue to experiment with combos and try not to dismiss any hops out of hand. With the exception of Willamette, which I have never found a combination that I like.
I buy from
The Malt Miller
There's Howard Hughes in blue suede shoes, smiling at the majorettes smoking Winston cigarettes. .
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raiderman
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by raiderman » Fri Mar 16, 2012 2:41 pm
Beer O'Clock wrote:I have done some experimenting of late with different combinations rather than the usual hop blends. There is as yet no overall pattern but certain just taste crap when teamed with others or solo. This doesn't make them bad. Just not used to their best.
Individual hop characteristics can be hidden or accentuated by the accompanying hop. I recently did a Apollo/Galaxy/Simcoe blend to about 40 IBU. The Galaxy was overpowered by the Simcoe and was not really to my taste. It developed in a very different way than expected. Hopefully time will help.
However, an earlier Apollo/PoR/Simcoe to similar IBU was beautifull. The Simcoe really shone through.
I will continue to experiment with combos and try not to dismiss any hops out of hand. With the exception of Willamette, which I have never found a combination that I like.
Except for willamette which is a longtime fav- try it with cascade. i agree with what you say. A lot of new hops have been developed for big brewers who make lager - Mount hood is used by craft brewers but I don't like it in a beer, it may work in a lager or wheat for me - or possibly as a bittering hop. As for blending classic beers of old were frequently fuggles and goldings, so why not find new combinations. I'm convinced theres a willamette - citra combination where the earthiness of the willamette underlines the citric notes of the citra, I just haven't fond it yet!
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leedsbrew
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by leedsbrew » Fri Mar 16, 2012 2:49 pm
I suppose it's down to style as well! Chinook wouldn't make a great Bière de Garde but when you want a west coast IPA - boom chinooks your best friend!
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Naich
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by Naich » Fri Mar 16, 2012 3:38 pm
orlando wrote:BarnsleyBrewer wrote:I made a brew with 100% Cascade, can't stand the smell of them now...
Oh dear I have the very same thing conditioning I do hope our taste is different as there are quite a ot of bottles to get through. So far the smell has got me excited and as I dry hopped at the end of the boil and bunged a load in the FV week 2 I am rather commited. I'll know in a weeks time

Don't worry. BB is quite mad and I can categorically and objectively state that Cascade is lovely

Actually, I'm going to be growing a Cascade plant soon (as soon as they come in stock), so I'm banking on still liking it after a few brews.
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EliteEvil
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by EliteEvil » Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:12 pm
Not much love for Willamette out there. Got a Willamette and simcoe stout in the fermenter although not a huge amount of either.
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a-slayer
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by a-slayer » Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:20 pm
BarnsleyBrewer wrote:I made a brew with 100% Cascade, can't stand the smell of them now...
BB
Fav is Challenger.
I am with you here, can't stand Cascade.
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Beer O'Clock
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by Beer O'Clock » Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:26 pm
a-slayer wrote:BarnsleyBrewer wrote:I made a brew with 100% Cascade, can't stand the smell of them now...
BB
Fav is Challenger.
I am with you here, can't stand Cascade.
Yet, I can't get enough.
I even use NZ Cascade because it has 'turbo-charged' Cascade flavour. The more the better. It has been my favourite hop for a very long time (along with Amarillo).
I buy from
The Malt Miller
There's Howard Hughes in blue suede shoes, smiling at the majorettes smoking Winston cigarettes. .
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Manx Guy
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by Manx Guy » Fri Mar 16, 2012 9:44 pm
Bodacea. Bloody horrible!
Like willamette and bobek, it can be too much in some commercial beers I tried.
But on the couple of times I used it has worked well for me.
I often think that water chemistry and grain bill can have an effect on our perception of a hop...
But I don't have any evidence for this it's just a theory...
But I'm willing to build up enough 'experience' to get some anecdotal evidence...
Guy

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charliefarley
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by charliefarley » Sat Mar 17, 2012 6:18 am
I've had a couple of packets of what looked like floor scrapings to me recently and needless to say I've not been impressed with the beer from them, although I know other people rave about them. I wouldn't want to base my entire opinion of a hop variety on one packet but I won't be rushing out to buy any Simcoe (hardly any discernible smell!!) or Chinook (too musty) in the near future.
There are massive differences in quality, so I'm not jumping to any conclusions based on one use.
Bobek and NS are firm favourites. Not massively keen on Cascade, find it a bit waxy.
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weiht
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by weiht » Sat Mar 17, 2012 9:20 am
Challenger got to be my least favourite to date. Not much character imparted into the beer.
I think its also important to state that usage is very important. Some hops work well at the end, n suck as a 60-90 mins addition. Some are shit as dry hop, so its also on match hops with usage.
Fuggles, styrian, magnum, nelson sauvin, saaz, motueka are some of my firm favourites
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simple one
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by simple one » Sat Mar 17, 2012 12:20 pm
I never base my opinion on just one outing of a hop.... I'm a glutton for punishment.
Add Bobek to NS for me too.
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BeerEagle
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by BeerEagle » Sun Mar 18, 2012 3:52 pm
raiderman wrote: also own a bag of Crystal - which is related but i've been persuaded to try it in a california wheat - so heres hopPing!
Fixed for you.

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softlad
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by softlad » Sun Mar 18, 2012 6:50 pm
WGV for me. Ive made two brews with wgv and didnt enjoy either.
And Nelson Sauvin. Brewed an all NS beer some time ago. The first half was acceptable, any more was too much
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De-Geert
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by De-Geert » Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:36 pm
Fuggles!
Reminds me too much of koriander that is used too often by Belgian and Dutch brewers.