Topaz Hopz - Source Or Substitute?

[Acasta]

Hi guys, im looking to make something with some topaz hops in it, but my LHBS doesn't stock this type. I've been looking around and can't find much.
I have found craftbrewer sells it, but i don't normally buy from there, and i'd rather just shop locally to save on shipping if i can.
So is there any decent substitute out there, or should i just go the real thing?

Anyway, its some victorian hop.
heres the craftbrewer info:


http://www.craftbrewer.com.au/shop/details.asp?PID=3216
The Australian hop variety Topaz is a seedless high alpha acid variety. Bred by the
Hop Products Australia at their Rostrevor Breeding Garden Victoria. Topaz is a very
robust variety with tight compact cones that hold well on maturity.
Topazs high alpha acid levels makes it one of the worlds best alpha acid producers.

Origin
Topaz is a triploid high alpha acid type cultivar bred by Hop Products Australia at
their Rostrevor Breeding Garden Victoria. This variety was bred in 1985 by
crossing a female Tetraploid J78 with a male 29/70/54. Topaz was selected for
commercial production due to it high alpha acid content.
Note: 29/70/54 is a male hop sourced from Wye College, UK
Analytical Data
Yield (Kg/Ha) 38004200
Alpha acids (%) 15.518.0
Beta acids (%) 6.07.0
Alpha/Beta Ratio 2.32.8
Cohumulone (%) 4749.5
Total Oils (ml/100g) 0.81.7
Myrcene (% of whole oil) 2543
Beta Caryophyllene (% of whole oil) 1011
Farnesene (% of whole oil) 0.0
Humulene(% of whole oil) 1113

&  Selinene (% of whole oil) 24
Humulene/Caryophyllene ratio 1.11.2
Hop Acids by HPLC (ICE)
Steam distilled essential oil analyzed by GC-MS

 

[Acasta]

bump

 

[bum]

Can someone take over here?

 

[BoilerBoy]

Interesting that this should come up, conversely my problem is that I have a 90g pack of Topaz I was only looking at yesterday, but not sure what to do with them?

Not much around really clarifying its flavour other than the CB description, so can't help with a substitute, but would like to here from others who have used it.

Cheers and not much help at all,
BB

 

[Mobbee007]

Not having a go and don't want to sound like a knob but if your LHBS doesn't stock it and you're keen to try it order some from the aforementioned site sponsor the freight shouldn't be too bad for a 90 gram parcel or order a few things to make it worth while :beerbang:

 

[bum]

Thanks, Rex.

 

[Acasta]

Not having a go and don't want to sound like a knob but if your LHBS doesn't stock it and you're keen to try it order some from the aforementioned site sponsor the freight shouldn't be too bad for a 90 gram parcel or order a few things to make it worth while :beerbang:

Yeah i guess, i was just hoping to avoid getting stuff delivered. No bigge.
Also, craftbrewer do have some pretty good prices so i guess ill hopefull make delivery up in the savings.

 

[kelbygreen]

plus they are the freshes hops I have come across nothing like busting the bag to find nice aroma and sticky hops. most places dont store them right and you get little aroma and dry hops. Cost me a bit more but i buy hops from there regularly still support the LHBS though as they are good just could be a bit better on hops things like LDME and stuff dont really add up postage wise unless you buy 25kg bags lol

 

[Acasta]

Yeah, for grain it seems pretty easy to go to the LHBS, but right now im looking at getting large amounts of hops i use regularly. ie, cascade.

 

[kelbygreen]

maybe try bulk buy from america if you looking for american hops?? I cant remember the site but have seen it there is a thread some where on it and seems to work out good if you buy a heap but you may want to find 1 or 2 others to go in on it as you do need alot I think maybe 5 pounds?? to make it really cheap

 

[bum]

maybe try bulk buy from america if you looking for american hops?? I cant remember the site but have seen it there is a thread some where on it and seems to work out good if you buy a heap but you may want to find 1 or 2 others to go in on it as you do need alot I think maybe 5 pounds?? to make it really cheap

There are probably others but this is the place I see discussed most often.

http://www.hopsdirect.com/hops/pellethops.html

 

[kelbygreen]

cheers bum will save that to my favourites and that is the site I seen last time

 

[jyo]

There are probably others but this is the place I see discussed most often.

http://www.hopsdirect.com/hops/pellethops.html

Great service from here. It's the postage that kills you though, so try to go halves with a mate in a few kilos.

 

[seemax]

I only have good things to say about Hopsdirect... great service, good prices, fresh hops. They also stock Euro varieties are good prices. Best to split a load though unless you brew that often.

Although you pay shipping for CB, in general their spec grains, yeast and hops are cheaper than your LHBS (for me anyway)... so do a decent order and it easily makes sense and gets delivered to your door

 

[Acasta]

Thats true seemax. I just gotta work out what i really need.

Yeah, ill probably get into this soon enough. I've only done 1 AG (today) and have a few more planned, so dunno what i will use alot of yet, so for now i'm happy just going to the LHBS and trying stuff out.

 

[Mobbee007]

I would work out how much I can spend and then get a whole heap of stuff and stockpile spec malts hops & yeasts so when you get home and think bugger it I'm going to attempt to make a belgian blond that tastes better than Leffe you're pretty much ready to go ( I LOVE Leffe).
SWMBO thinks differently so it's at the don't ask don't tell stage :beer: (although she does drink her fair share!!)
Also my LHBS is incredibly pricey when it comes to well just about everything so even with shipping I'm still ahead!!

 

[Acasta]

Ahh ok, i think my LHBS is damn good with prices and hes a great guy, so i'd like to support him. But i guess if im paying postage from CB, i might as well get some other stuff with it.

 

[Mobbee007]

Then I envy you!! My LHBS is geared to sell kits and FWK's etc. Nice guy happy to have a chat but just can't compare. From memory his base malts start around $5 a kilo and spec malts $7 a kilo and hops were $10 per 50 grams :angry:
Anyway happy brewing :icon_chickcheers: :icon_chickcheers:

 

[Hatchy]

Ahh ok, i think my LHBS is damn good with prices and hes a great guy, so i'd like to support him. But i guess if im paying postage from CB, i might as well get some other stuff with it.

Have a look around the craftbrewer site for stuff that yr LHBS doesn't stock if yr gonna put in an order.

 

[HoppingMad]

Have the same said hops in a 90g baggie purchased from the afforementioned sponsor.

The only place I've seen these hops is from afforementioned sponsor, short of wrangling some deal with those in the high country around Rostrevor.

I would reckon just go the sponsor and save yourself some pain, or you're going to spend some time shopping about. Any hop wholesaler in melbourne will want you buying a pallet. In terms of substitutes for a new strain of high alpha hop with a unique flavour I would wager you would have none.

Have been itching to try my Topaz, and haven't seen too many recipes about for it. Considering a SMASH, but any pointers to a cracker recipe would be great since we're on the subject of using these hops or something similar.

Cheers, and good luck with your quest,

Hopper.