It's not just an internet thing, it's particularly prevalent amongst homebrewing scene! It's due to the mix of science and subjective tasting and testing. There are a lot of pedants and a lot of theories that are simply fads. Hot side aeration???_Mick_ said:Cool thanks, I have been reading a bit on this topic and have found a fair bit of info but unfortunately being the internet there is alot of contradictions out there... Hoping someone has some first hand experience on what they do for bittering. I'm just looking for ways to cut cost so instead of buying lots of little bags of hops I can buy a bulk lot of a high AA hop as a generic bitterer.
Very good service from Jeff in the past. Would definitely recommend them. The hold up isn't his shipping, it's generally our customs!QldKev said:I think it depends, If you bitter with a fairly neutral hop and slam it with 4g/L citra at flame out, then you won't get any bittering hops flavor. If you slam a hit of bittering and use a light / use no late hops then the bittering addition will shine it's ass off.
I think the best neutral bittering hop is Super Alpha, but like most NZ hops we get over charged for them. Second to that is US Magnum, which does impart some flavor. I do prefer to bitter with the correct hop for the job, as manticle said it doesn't cost much extra, unless you are paying too much for the hops to start with.
US Magnum is current $US12.99 for a lb from http://www.yakimavalleyhops.com Fill up your basket to 3.5lb to get the best shipping benefit, and get a few decent amounts of some great hops. It may take an extra couple of weeks compared to local purchased stuff, but it works out at about half the cost.
Not with Cascade. Cascade is beautiful all the way through.Dave70 said:Conversely, sort of, has anyone gotten harsh results from using a hop more traditionally associated with aroma / flavor like say cascade for bittering?
Cant recall if it was cascade exactly, but I'm pretty sure I've added a bunch of mid low to mid range hops in the past early in the boil, most likely to use them up, to attain APA levels of bittering (at the high end) and it turned out rough as guts.
I can +1 your experience Dave, I accidentally put Cascade in at 60min for a fat yak clone instead of the Nelson Sauv, but had a moment of "F it" and threw in the Nelson as well, leaving myself without any 0min/dry hop hops. Turned out drinkable but was a very bitter beer. Lesson learned, don't be an idiot on brew day.Dave70 said:Conversely, sort of, has anyone gotten harsh results from using a hop more traditionally associated with aroma / flavor like say cascade for bittering?
Cant recall if it was cascade exactly, but I'm pretty sure I've added a bunch of mid low to mid range hops in the past early in the boil, most likely to use them up, to attain APA levels of bittering (at the high end) and it turned out rough as guts.
I've started doing some "pot luck" brews just to see what happens. Using the same base malt all the time plus maltose syrup, I reach into the fridge and just grab a bag blindly, and weigh out to 30 IBU - single addition.Dave70 said:Conversely, sort of, has anyone gotten harsh results from using a hop more traditionally associated with aroma / flavor like say cascade for bittering?
Cant recall if it was cascade exactly, but I'm pretty sure I've added a bunch of mid low to mid range hops in the past early in the boil, most likely to use them up, to attain APA levels of bittering (at the high end) and it turned out rough as guts.