Rakau Pale Ale

[weiht]

Nothing much has been said about these hops, so I'm gonna brew with what little i have (A bad experience from ebay). I will use this opportunity to brew with the St Austell yeast (Thx Fego) and split the other half with Wy3711.

23L 75% Eff. OG - 1.052
IBU - 33 SRM - 7
4.00 kg Pale Malt, Maris Otter (3.0 SRM) Grain 78.28 %
0.40 kg Caramalt (15.0 SRM) Grain 7.83 %
0.35 kg Munich Malt (6.0 SRM) Grain 6.85 %
0.35 kg Wheat, Flaked (1.6 SRM) Grain 6.85 %
0.01 kg Black (Patent) Malt (500.0 SRM) Grain 0.20 %
10.00 gm Rakau [12.00 %] (60 min) Hops 11.7 IBU
30.00 gm Rakau [12.00 %] (20 min) Hops 21.2 IBU
60.00 gm Rakau [12.00 %] (Aroma Hop-20 min Steep) Hops -
15.00 gm Rakau [12.00 %] (Dry Hop 3 days) Hops - Optional
Mash 66c for 60 mins
St. Austell Yeast 48hrs @ 18c, rise to 20c till finish

Any users of these hop care to comment?

[seymour]

Haven't brewed with them personally, but I've tasted beer made with them. Unique and tasty. I'd say this Seven Bridges Cooperative description is true:

A new and relatively unknown hop variety that is a unique offering from New Zealand. Bursting with a lot of the typical New Zealand fruity character with tropical aroma highlights of passionfruit, mango, and peach. An excellent hop for late hop additions where a prominent hop character is desired in beers such as Pale Ales, ESB, and IPA's. Developed as a dual purpose hop with alpha acids in the 10% range, but delivering "soft" bitterness with low cohumulone levels of less than 25% of alpha levels. Similar to Admiral, Amarillo, or Summit.

Best of luck, keep us posted!

[jimp2003]

I have brewed a similar beer with rakau - see the brewday thread here: RAKAU BELCH. There is also more tasting notes here: URBAN VIKING ALE REVIEW.

It is a really nice fruity hop which is subtle and doesn't slap you in the face like some others can. It lets the malt come through with it.

I have got hold of 500g of Rakau and plan to increase the late hops slightly and dry hop a bit more also.

You won't be disappointed with your recipe I am sure.

[weiht]

Thx for ur pointers. Urs look a delicious pint and nice carbonation.

I've got an IPA on tap, so I'm planning this to be a sessionable 5% balanced pale ale with slightly more hoppiness but not too much. I'm sure about dry hopping with them as the hops doesnt look fresh when I've got them. Does ur rakau have a very pungent hop stink to them?

[jimp2003]

My hops are all vac packed in foil pouches and the last lot I used smelt really good yes. Did you get yours from that ebayer that disappeared leaving a few people without their orders? I stocked up a few weeks ago after I heard from my usual supplier (Maltmiller) that we might well not see any of this years harvest of rakau over here.

[weiht]

Yup mine was from that #&%@ seller. It turn up in ziplock bag, not in good shape and only half of what i ordered!! I wish i'd a supplier like maltmiller here.

[jimp2003]

Well if you want a couple of the vac packs sent over let me know. Not sure how bad the delivery charge to Singapore would be though...

[weiht]

Thx for the great offer, but i have lots of hops to use up first :p.. It's also easier to buy NZ and Aussie hops here as they are nearer, but its still pricey as all things aussie.