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What 5 hops should be on hand?

Post #1 made 12 years ago
by Epimetheus
What is your preference for 5 base hops to have on hand? It could be 3 or 8 types; I am planning to buy hops in bulk and 5 lbs of hops would keep me busy for a year, with the occasional ounce of something different.

I asked this question on a US forum. Overwhelmingly, US hops were suggested - the 3 C's, Amarillo, Citra, Willamette, and a smattering of others. This BIAB forum has a different audience and might suggest different groups.

This asks for your preference, If you care, my preference is for medium ABV beers rather than imperials, and floral and aroma over so-hoppy-it-makes-your-face-pucker.
Last edited by Epimetheus on 05 Apr 2013, 22:26, edited 3 times in total.
I should have thought of that.

Post #2 made 12 years ago
by Lylo
I always keep a supply of British(EKG,Fuggles,and Northern Brewer are my faves), I also like to be pepared for a lager inspiration with Saaz,Hallertau and tettnang. I don't like to keep a large(pounds) supply of anything around due to freshness.
AWOL

Post #3 made 12 years ago
by joshua
Lylo, 1# or 454grams of hops can be put in a freezer at -10C for over a year with NO loss of Hop Acids.

Or in your part of the World, leave them outside, out of the Sun.
Honest Officer, I swear to Drunk, I am Not God.
    • SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America

Post #4 made 12 years ago
by Yeasty
This is very subjective so I'd pick hops based (Biased ?) on my beer preference.

I brew mostly British Ales so I like to have:

Fuggles
EKG
Challenger
Syrian Goldings
First Gold
Target

and as I like an APA I have:

Amarillo ( I stock up on this when its available)
Citra
Cascade

:salute:

Yeasty
Why is everyone talking about "Cheese"
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Post #5 made 12 years ago
by thughes
Tough question, kind of like asking "What 5 foods should you stock in your fridge". I keep a pound of Magnum on hand and use it for bittering in almost everything as it is very neutral (flavor-wise) and adds bitterness without flavor contribution (used at 60 minutes).

After that? I love Styrian Goldings so they are always in stock here. I like my APA's so I will always have some "C" hops on hand (usually Cascade and Citra). I also like my Bitters and Stouts/Porters so they'll be Fuggles and EKG in the freezer.

I suppose that's a good place to start but to be honest I currently have @ 20 varieties on hand to the tune of almost 12 pounds. Also have almost 200 pounds of grain....guess I better get to brewing, eh? (I've been slacking)

---Todd
WWBBD?
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Post #8 made 12 years ago
by thughes
Haven't found any NZ hops that I like yet. I have tried Rakau and Pacifica thus far, neither of which tickled my fancy.

---Todd
WWBBD?
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Post #10 made 12 years ago
by thughes
Thanks Joshua, I order a lot of stuff from Rebel (fast shipping and great prices). I have been meaning to try some Nelson Sauvin, perhaps that'll be next on my list.
WWBBD?
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Post #12 made 12 years ago
by BabyfaceFinster
I just bought a few rhizomes for fun and maybe some fresh hops i the future. I wanted to cover a few styles of future brews so I did:

Cascade-American
EKG- British
Saaz - Czech
Hallertau -German
Should cover me for a while

Post #14 made 12 years ago
by thughes
GR, do a Vienna/Styrian SMaSH. You will NOT be disappointed, especially if you do a very large late addition.
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Post #15 made 12 years ago
by GuingesRock
Todd, I’m in to putting everything heavily into FWH only at the moment, and serving at 10C with minimal carbonation. Do you think I could use that combination that way? I might give it a go. I’ll have to look up Vienna. I can’t find them on my site. Maybe I’ll try the Styrian Goldings FWH first. Generally I like the way you hop Todd :) . I followed your advice before a few times. Thanks.
Guinges

Post #16 made 12 years ago
by thughes
Styrian are usually very low % aa hops. The last time I made this recipe the hops were 2.6% aa. I did 2.5 gallons into fermenter at 1.054, finish at 1.011 with S-04. 90 minute mash @ 156 and 10 minute mashout @ 170F. 21.2 IBU FWH at 60 minutes and 14 IBU @ 10 mintes (used 85 grams of hops, hence the 2.5 gallon batch....didn't want to use my whole supply on one brew). Chilled with immersion coil immediately after flame out. Was very tastey indeed!

My favorite beer is Goose Island's "Honkers Ale", it's basically a bitter and the recipe provided by the brewery shows very little hops before the flame out and then an absolutely huge addition and whirl pool (If I remember correctly). I have a clone that is pretty close and uses almost no bittering and all late addition.

Let us know how yours works out but remember, the best part about the Styrians is the flavor (aroma is good but the flavor is essential).
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Post #17 made 12 years ago
by LazyCatBrewing
I have regular brews of Ordinary Bitter, Porter & IPA, dabbling in any other ale style in-between.

so EKG, Challenger, Galaxy, Magnum and Cascade are my core hops.

I'm auditioning a couple of others for inclusion in my IPA : Ella, Moteuka, Nelson Sauvin and Mosaic. So one of these will step up...

I LOVE the kiwi hops, but the reliability of supply sucks, otherwise I'd love to use huge amounts of Riwaka, just too hard to get at a good price, the NS and Motueka aren't so terrible though.
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