OK, Seeing as a CAP (Classic American Pilsener) is intended to be a recreation of the American Pilseners before Prohibition, then what hop would be suitable? What hops did they have pre-1920s and what would the modern equivalents be? I would guess Cluster perhaps?
I'd point to cluster being native to the US from what im led to believe or any other hop varietal that would have been imported across with Ze Germans. Anything noble would be a go-er for me.
Personally i like the idea of using NZ varietals for the following reason. I would assume early hop gardens in the US of A would be noble varietals and most likly open pollinated which may end up with results similar to NZ hops. noble-esque with citrus notes/unique flavours.
Ive done a CAP with Motueka and it was fantastic, especially after a decent lager period. Inital tastes where light citrus with a background spicy/peppery saaz profile. after 2 months it was nothing but clean delicious saazerness.
I wouldnt mind knocking one out with pacific jade or something like Louisiane brewhouses pilsner hopping schedule. This was an awesome beer and would balance well with the cornyness of a CAP.
Pilsner
IBU 32
OG ?
FG ?
EBC: 16
ABV 5%
Ingredients
84% Pilsner Malt Joe White
16% Munich Joe White
(subbing 15-20% corn in here, probably from the pils malt)
Pacific Jade (60min) (guess 27 IBU)
Motoueka (15mins) (guess 5 IBU)
Motoueka (0 min) (guess .5gram/l final volume)
Wyeast Bohemian Lager Yeast
Mash temp 60 - 78 deg is all i could get out of them for all of the beers, maybe its a step/ramp up mash temp? i'd guesstimate 64-66deg for all of them)
Notes: ferment @ 10, ramp to 14, lager @ 0 deg.
Chlorde:sulphate ratio 2:1