HOP ADVICE REQUIRED

Peter Bradshaw · Post by **Peter Bradshaw** » Monday Apr 09, 2007 10:19 am

I am keen on Coopers Real ale as my stock standard brew (every second one) and have been using POR hops. However, I would like to make a more wintery ale. I already have a Tooheys Black Clone and a James Squire Deep Roast Ale but was wondering what hop to use with my Coopers Real to make a smoother winter drink. I am bottling a batch today with Willamette and was also considering Hallertau.
Am I on the right track.

Cheers, Pete

chris. · Post by **chris.** » Monday Apr 09, 2007 1:03 pm

Fuggles, Styrian Goldings, Goldings, Willamette all get my votes.

OldBugman · Post by **OldBugman** » Monday Apr 09, 2007 1:56 pm

seconded.

ACTbrewer · Post by **ACTbrewer** » Monday Apr 09, 2007 5:29 pm

I also like East Kent Goldings.

rwh · Post by **rwh** » Tuesday Apr 10, 2007 10:12 am

Thirded.

SpillsMostOfIt · Post by **SpillsMostOfIt** » Tuesday Apr 10, 2007 11:29 am

I reckon that Willamette is a very useful variety. It can take on both English and American nuances, depending on what else you use - assuming you like to use multiple hops, or even just based on your choice of yeast. It doesn't have a high Alpha Acid rating, which I think is good as it is more forgiving of timing/measuring mistakes and I read more people think that lower AA hops make for 'better' bittering. I'm too crass and/or unsophisticated to make that distinction.

If you can find hops that you can use in a goodly number of your brews, you can buy it in larger quantities and save some money. (EK) Goldings probably fits into that category as well.

chris. · Post by **chris.** » Tuesday Apr 10, 2007 12:37 pm

SpillsMostOfIt wrote:It doesn't have a high Alpha Acid rating, which I think is good as it is more forgiving of timing/measuring mistakes and I read more people think that lower AA hops make for 'better' bittering. I'm too crass and/or unsophisticated to make that distinction.

I believe this has more to do with the Co-Humolene level. The lower the Co-Hum. %, the less harsh the bitterness.

buscador · Post by **buscador** » Tuesday Apr 10, 2007 2:58 pm

been on the IPA bus lately
everything I buy from the shop is an IPA
cant get enough hops
am keen to try making my own

the beers i like seem to have fuggles, any other suggestions before i spend 30-50 bucks on one hop at the store

b

chris. · Post by **chris.** » Tuesday Apr 10, 2007 4:06 pm

buscador wrote:been on the IPA bus lately
everything I buy from the shop is an IPA
cant get enough hops
am keen to try making my own

the beers i like seem to have fuggles, any other suggestions before i spend 30-50 bucks on one hop at the store

b

Yes. Don't spend $30-50 on one variety.

Go for the freshest hops you can find.

Try visiting Craftbrewer.com.au & get yourself a few different varieties to experiment with.

You may also want to invest in some Gypsum if bitter beers are your cup of tea. The extra Ca & Sulphates will help to give you a nice crisp bitterness.

drsmurto · Post by **drsmurto** » Tuesday Apr 10, 2007 4:10 pm

buscador wrote:
the beers i like seem to have fuggles, any other suggestions before i spend 30-50 bucks on one hop at the store

b

90g of Fuggles for $6 plus postage. Buy 2 packs and normal postage is $2.

Craftbrewer

Not affiliated, just one of many very satisfied customers! Wouldnt want to see anyone pay too much for hops....

Cheers
DrSmurto

SpillsMostOfIt · Post by **SpillsMostOfIt** » Tuesday Apr 10, 2007 4:55 pm

drsmurto wrote:
buscador wrote:
the beers i like seem to have fuggles, any other suggestions before i spend 30-50 bucks on one hop at the store

b
90g of Fuggles for $6 plus postage. Buy 2 packs and normal postage is $2.

Craftbrewer

Not affiliated, just one of many very satisfied customers! Wouldnt want to see anyone pay too much for hops....

Cheers
DrSmurto

Or buy 3kg in mixed varieties and pay $9 in postage!

Or, buy a cheapie Virgin Blue ticket and bring back your maximum luggage allowance (35kg?) in hops.

buscador · Post by **buscador** » Tuesday Apr 10, 2007 5:04 pm

next time i go to see mom in california
I'll take some orders from you guys first

b

rwh · Post by **rwh** » Tuesday Apr 10, 2007 5:05 pm

Oooh oooh can you bring me back a bottle of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale? I've been trying to get my hands on one for months!

buscador · Post by **buscador** » Tuesday Apr 10, 2007 5:21 pm

rwh
SNPA just switched stubbies to pry off caps
got a friend saving bottles for future brew in CA

i need to ask him to send a slab for me
will let the forum know before it happens

i might make some new friends
b

have you heard of stone brewing, all my buds are talking about the brewery in san diego, supposed to be good??
want to try their arrogant bastard ale

muddy · Post by **muddy** » Wednesday Apr 11, 2007 1:38 pm

buscador wrote:rwh
SNPA just switched stubbies to pry off caps
got a friend saving bottles for future brew in CA

i need to ask him to send a slab for me
will let the forum know before it happens

i might make some new friends
b

have you heard of stone brewing, all my buds are talking about the brewery in san diego, supposed to be good??
want to try their arrogant bastard ale

Buscador,

The Arrogant Bastard is aptly named.

It is the most fiendishly strong and complex bastard I have ever tasted.

I drunk it while on a work trip to Ohio. I brought one bottle home and have kept the empty because it is a great bottle. And a brilliant t shirt.

It is not a sessional beer.

I loved it.

Quoting from the label:

"Arrogant Bastrd Ale - You are not worthy This is an agressive beer. You probably wont like it.It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth. We would sugget that you stick to safer and more familiar territory - maybe something with a multi million dollar ad campaign aimed at convincing you it is made in a little brewery, or one that implies that their tasteless, fizzy yellow beer will give you more sex appeal. Perhaps you think multi million dollar ad campaigns make a beer taste better. perhaps you are mouthing your words as you read this.

Questions or comments? If you dont like this beer, keep it to yourself - we dont want to hear from any snivelling, yellow beer drinkin' wimps - 'cause this beer wasnt made for you.

buscador · Post by **buscador** » Wednesday Apr 11, 2007 1:44 pm

just talked to a high school buddy online
this guy lives in a mansion with about 12 other 20-30 year olds out in the san diego hills- beligerence and debauchery
dudes got a baseball field, tennis/basketball, the works, and the new roomate just happens to be a bartender at Stone

i told him to get ready for hell

*from what i heard these beers rock

gotta plan a trip to see mom