The Bittering Hop Addition Imparts Flavour?

[devo]

Nick JD When you say bittering addition, how long are you allowing? Nothing less than 60min in a hard boil I would assume??

 

[Nick JD]

Nick JD When you say bittering addition, how long are you allowing? Nothing less than 60min in a hard boil I would assume??

Yup - 60 minutes, bubbling pretty hard. Reasonable SG, but only about 4 liters (extract brewing) ... although I would think a lower volume would encourage more aromatics to boil off.

 

[devo]

OK...Personally I have never thought of the results I get from bittering hops as a "flavour" that is reminiscent of what you would get from late addition flav/aroma hops but rather I'd describe it more as the method suggests, "bitterness" or levels of abrasiveness. For example I find POR a lot sharper and direct with the way it bitters but yet find horizon or NZ southern cross for example much smoother or subtle in its attack.
...but i guess I'm splitting hairs here!?

 

[T.D.]

OK...Personally I have never thought of the results I get from bittering hops as a "flavour" that is reminiscent of what you would get from late addition flav/aroma hops but rather I'd describe it more as the method suggests, "bitterness" or levels of abrasiveness. For example I find POR a lot sharper and direct with the way it bitters but yet find horizon or NZ southern cross for example much smoother or subtle in its attack.
...but i guess I'm splitting hairs here!?

Hey Devo, interesting your findings with Southern Cross. I bittered a Special Bitter with it recently and I got some very assertive bitterness from it in the first few weeks. But following that it smoothed out beautifully. Did you find anything similar or was it smooth and subtle from the start for you?

 

[reviled]

Hey Devo, interesting your findings with Southern Cross. I bittered a Special Bitter with it recently and I got some very assertive bitterness from it in the first few weeks. But following that it smoothed out beautifully. Did you find anything similar or was it smooth and subtle from the start for you?

Ive allways had really smooth bitterness from Southern Cross! Didnt notice any assertiveness out of the ordinary in the 1st few weeks...

 

[T.D.]

Interesting. Maybe it was something else giving it that effect in my case. I did ferment it on US-05 which was less than ideal for a bitter. I must say, other beers I have done with Southern Cross have been quite smooth, so most likely not the culprit (buggered if I know what was then!).

 

[reviled]

Interesting. Maybe it was something else giving it that effect in my case. I did ferment it on US-05 which was less than ideal for a bitter. I must say, other beers I have done with Southern Cross have been quite smooth, so most likely not the culprit (buggered if I know what was then!).

US-05 does make the hops stand out alot more then english yeasts, could just be a combo of that and the beer still being green so having that fresh hop character sticking out like a sore thumb?

I love Southern Cross, such high Alpha and low in cohumulone! Great bittering hop, and quite good for flavour and aroma too! I did a brew with SCross and US Cascade and it was devine! :icon_drool2:

 

[devo]

When comparing NZSC to say, POR. It's noticeably less "stabby". I've been trying out NZ super alpha at the moment because I haven't been able to get my hands on NZSC.

 

[warrenlw63]

"stabby"

:lol: That's my head-word for today.

Warren -

 

[Nick JD]

Freaky - I just ordered Southern Cross and Horizon today ... and have just read this. :icon_cheers: I did a K&K Coopers Heritage Lager a while back and "stabby" wasn't the half of it. Tasted like one of those sour yellow lollies they used to sell when I was a kid. Like sucking on a grapefruit. I don't like 'em too bitter - probably the Kiwi coming out... :unsure:

 

[Muggus]

I've recently been more inclined to using bittering hops as a First Wort Hop (FWH) addition, as opposed to strictly at 60 min.

Works particularly well with beers when you use the same hops for bittering as flavour and aroma, the flavour seems to punch through a fair bit more.