My “inside guy” has again procured a bundle of hops for me as a Christmas present. This year’s bundle includes some varieties I’ve not used before as well, so I’ll be doing some reading to figure out what each is suited for. Here’s the haul, and a few notes from both the Hop Union Variety Databook, and for my own use.
Believe it or not, I will refer to this post over and over for alpha acid and variety notes throughout the year. It’s not just to gloat.
Whole hops:
- Newport 11.2% alpha – Bittering hop similar to Galena and Nugget. Good base for ales.
- Nugget 14.4% alpha – High-alpha bittering hop with grassy, herbal aroma. Good base for ales.
Pellets
- US Perle 7.5% – Dual purpose aromatic and bittering. Used in German-style brews, both ales and lagers.
- Crystal 4.3% – Very aromatic Hallertau relative. Wonderful smells. Great for Continental brews.
- Brewers Gold 9.3% – a spicy bittering hop.
- Vanguard 5.0% – Similar to Hallertau, good for German beers, both ales and lagers.
- Cascade 7.8% – Duh…Citrusy and floral aromatic. Taste of the NW.
- Palisades 8.0% – Still undecided. Seem to be more of a bittering hop than an aroma. Not the most pleasant aroma, so don’t use for single hopped beers.
- US Goldings 4.9% – US relative of Kent Golding, a versatile aromatic hop used in everything from bitters to stouts.
- Millennium 15.9% – high alpha relative of Nugget with similar aroma.