I got sidetracked on my kettle post so moving it to hops thoughts.
What are your thoughts on hops bulk buying and keeping in freezer? NB sells 1 lb pellet hops...I do have freezer space for this but was wondering on the life span. Do you all use pellet hops or the leaf (whatever they are called) hops? I actually thought about trying to grow some...more for fun but if I could use them that would be fun too. Our neighbors have a crappy back yard, I told my wife I could let them grow 20 feet tall lol....she said no :-)
I have only used pellet hops and haven't researched using leaf hops yet. I'm sure there is a lot written on the subject in this forum. I'm just trying to explore options and also if I can save a bit by bulk buying that would be nice.
Thanks for all the help!
Post #2 made 12 years ago
Phog98,
I buy my grain in bulk to grind myself and I buy hops in bulk to freeze and store for when needed. I also grow hops for the fun of it. They grew 24 feet or more this year? They grew up the side of the house and up the TV antenna. I normally brew just one wet hop beer a year because that's all I want to grow. They are a beautiful plant and fun to watch grow.
joshua was spot on with his evaluation. I have 48 bags of hops in my beer freezer. I date each pouch as I put it in the freezer so I use the oldest first. Hops are seasonal and new hot varieties are in short supply. So when fall comes and the harvest comes in and gets distributed to local supply houses, You better get them while they are in stock. You have to plan ahead for certain brews or use the hop substitution charts to replace out of stock varieties. Buy them when picked and freeze them when bought!
I buy my grain in bulk to grind myself and I buy hops in bulk to freeze and store for when needed. I also grow hops for the fun of it. They grew 24 feet or more this year? They grew up the side of the house and up the TV antenna. I normally brew just one wet hop beer a year because that's all I want to grow. They are a beautiful plant and fun to watch grow.
joshua was spot on with his evaluation. I have 48 bags of hops in my beer freezer. I date each pouch as I put it in the freezer so I use the oldest first. Hops are seasonal and new hot varieties are in short supply. So when fall comes and the harvest comes in and gets distributed to local supply houses, You better get them while they are in stock. You have to plan ahead for certain brews or use the hop substitution charts to replace out of stock varieties. Buy them when picked and freeze them when bought!
Here is joshua's comment...
Phog98, You can Freeze Pellet hops in Double Plastic bags.
After 6 months they seem to lose all Grassy/Veggie flavor.
After 1 year the hops seem to lose the Harsh bitterness and the bitterness is smoother.
Sadly, after 2 year the Flavor drops off, and the aroma is Gone.
But, the same thing happen in well aged wort, and beer.
BTDT.
Last edited by BobBrews on 03 Dec 2013, 00:04, edited 2 times in total.
tap 1 Raspberry wine
tap 2 Bourbon Barrel Porter
tap 3 Czech Pilsner
tap 4 Triple IPA 11% ABV
Pipeline: Mulled Cider 10% ABV
http://cheesestradamus.com/ Brewers challenge!
tap 2 Bourbon Barrel Porter
tap 3 Czech Pilsner
tap 4 Triple IPA 11% ABV
Pipeline: Mulled Cider 10% ABV
http://cheesestradamus.com/ Brewers challenge!
-
- SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America
-
Post #3 made 12 years ago
I haven't used hop pellets so forgive me if I have misunderstood or misinterpreted what Joshua is saying.
Do the pellets "mature" with age like beer does? It sounds to me as if losing the grassy/veggie flavour and gaining a smoother bitterness would be preferred. Are pellets better at a year old, having been stored properly, than fresh?
Or am I getting myself confused?
Do the pellets "mature" with age like beer does? It sounds to me as if losing the grassy/veggie flavour and gaining a smoother bitterness would be preferred. Are pellets better at a year old, having been stored properly, than fresh?
Or am I getting myself confused?
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- SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From Great Britain
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Post #4 made 12 years ago
No. They don't get better with age. Fresh is stronger and more aromatic. But they may be a bit more harsh and bitter to some so you adjust for that. Everyone has a different reaction to hops so "let you taste buds be your guide". Old hops have a "Cheesy" smell. Some beers do use old and Cheesy hops, Lambic for one. 
Look here for some good hops stuff" http://www.howtobrew.com/section1/chapter5-2.html
http://beersmith.com/blog/2008/04/15/br ... ious-hops/
Look here for some good hops stuff" http://www.howtobrew.com/section1/chapter5-2.html
http://beersmith.com/blog/2008/04/15/br ... ious-hops/
Last edited by BobBrews on 03 Dec 2013, 03:00, edited 2 times in total.
tap 1 Raspberry wine
tap 2 Bourbon Barrel Porter
tap 3 Czech Pilsner
tap 4 Triple IPA 11% ABV
Pipeline: Mulled Cider 10% ABV
http://cheesestradamus.com/ Brewers challenge!
tap 2 Bourbon Barrel Porter
tap 3 Czech Pilsner
tap 4 Triple IPA 11% ABV
Pipeline: Mulled Cider 10% ABV
http://cheesestradamus.com/ Brewers challenge!
-
- SVA Brewer With Over 100 Brews From United States of America
-
Post #5 made 12 years ago
Whatever you decide, yakima valley hops has a 25% off sale for Cyber Monday today. I just snagged 7lbs of pellets. 
https://twitter.com/YakimaValleyHop/sta ... 7233876992
https://twitter.com/YakimaValleyHop/sta ... 7233876992
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- SVA Brewer With Over 20 Brews From United States of America
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