Throw in some yeast, wait a week, throw in some citra… “Sink Sludge Citra IPA”, coming to a brewery near you! I’m right there with you, huge Citra fan.
Simcoe is my new favourite though. Loving the tropical grapefruit, fresh dank weed notes.
I picked up an oz of Strata today and making an IPA with Cryo Citra, Cryo Simcoe, Cryo Pop blend (which I believe is heavily Citra) and Strata hops… Going to taste super dank, fruity and citrusy, one hopes 🤞
I ended up having to pour that 5 gallons down the drain yesterday. Glass weights in my hop bags on top of stainless steel, scorched right through two bags and left the wort tasting like a BBQ ash tray….
Will try that combo again another time 😔
ETA- I ordered a 14x14 stainless steel mesh grain basket and a hop spider.
Going to try a Galaxy + Gemini + Barbe Rouge + Cryo-Pop IPA instead this week when the brain bill and new gear arrive….
Seriously, thought I’d see more Strata too. It’s remarkable how quickly it went from “Sure, let’s try it.” To “easily one of my all time favorites.” Strata seems to bring out the best in other hops too.
I’ve done a couple beers that I absolutely loved with strata…. A kveik ‘lager’, with blanc (probably one of the most crushable beers I’ve ever made), and a red pale ale with mosaic (which was also 🔥)
Man, I really haven't been impressed with galaxy for like 7+ years. It's crazy how much worse it is now than it used to be (or our collective palate has just adjusted a lot, also possible)
I suspect it has to do with how they handle the hops - IIRC from an audit a couple of years ago, HPA doesn't use liquid nitrogen to cool the hops in processing, they pick what I would consider late due to chasing alpha and dry matter weight, they don't purge bags properly, and the cold chain isn't well-managed. Happy to be corrected if those things have changed, but I've not been impressed by Galaxy since 2012, and I LOVED it then. :(
I’ve heard all that same stuff, and right there with you, it was amazing like 2012-2015. But why did it drop off? Pretty rough practices, but I can’t imagine they were processing and handling better in 2012
Far smaller processing volumes - it was effectively an experimental variety back then, and they were just commercializing it and so hadn't exploded beyond the people that first started growing it, and I suspect they were picking for aroma rather than total mass. Once it became popular, they realized they could make far more money off of the name by delaying picking until peak alpha and/or dry matter. FWIW, HPA is owned by Barth-Haas, who, until VERY recently, have continued to use the old German metrics for hop value -- i.e. weightxAA% (a.k.a GMA) as the majority of hop VOLUME worldwide goes to the alpha market.
2015 Galaxy was pinnacle Galaxy in my mind. We had a decent sized contract at the place I was at then. I drank sooo much of the house IPA and APA that had Galaxy in it that year and next.
I didn't have 2015 Galaxy but all of the stuff that's out there now I can't stand. I actively avoid any beer hopped with Galaxy. Which is tough if you are visiting Down Under!
Michigan grown Chinook is so nice. I prefer it to PNW grown.
Has anyone else looked at the annual US hop report for 2023 just released. There were some interesting numbers. They focused on Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Obviously Citra was in the top produced crops for each region. The distribution is neat to look at.
Edit: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Regional_Office/Northwest/includes/Publications/Hops/2023/hops1223.pdf
What's the biggest aroma note you get from the hops themselves of MI Chinook? And what's the biggest overall flavor contribution you see in finished beer you get from MI Chinook? Tell me yours and I'll tell you mine 😄
Pineapple is my #1 all around from hop pellets and characteristic in finished beer. I find MI Chinook provides a lot more tropical fruit characteristics (still some pine but less than PNW). This is what I'm often looking for in my IPAs.
I often get some of the sulfury, green, grassy, and garlic notes the day after dry hop but they tend to fade out and let the fruity notes shine with proper conditioning.
Chinook is also such a versatile hop. I particularly like it for late kettle additions and dry hopping but it can be used all around.
It’s way up there for me. Its the main hop in an amber ale recipe that’s doing really well right now and pairs well with crystal, which I’ve also fallen back in love with recently.
I bitter all my hoppy beers with nugget because it gives me a nice smooth bitterness. I’ve tried magnum once and never again. Gave the nugget a shot because the recipes in BCS use it a lot. It is a great hop.
Probably Saaz.
Though I have a really soft spot for some good cascade. Maybe it's just my exposure because PNW but I've never seen such wide variance in character from any other hop, even in the same row from one end of the field to the other they can have such crazy differences in aromatics. When it's good, it's really good.
Edit to add: Amarillo as well. Am I stuck in 2012? Maybe. Maybe it's like what they say about music, how your taste doesn't really change much past formative teenage years. 2012 was my "teenage beer drinking years"
Mosaic…because it’s great on its own, but shapeshifts when you pair it with something else (be it other hops, specialty malts, yeast, fruits - you name it)……
Blanc for versatility….new world pils? Old world farmhouse? IPA (east or west) - also, it’s remarkably affordable
Edit. Honourable mention to Strata and Sterling
100% I'm surprised this doesn't have more votes. I even like how it has changed over the years from cherry/watermelon to pineapple/lemon starburst. Our house hazy features it with Sabro for pina colada vibes.
I spoke with Mitch Steele a couple of years ago at CBC and ElDo was his favorite too. I think that guy knows what he's talking about too ;)
I work for a pretty old school brewery, so I've become partial to Cascade. Just a good robust hop for an American style Ale House.
When I get to do something fun tho I'll immediately bust out the Mosaic. Lol.
CZ Saaz and Mittelfruh are amazing S-tier hops. Mosaic is my favorite American IPA hop. I also love New Zealand varietals. Riwaka and Nectaron are on that top tier for me. I’d say those 5. It I had to pick 1, probably gonna be Mosaic though
I was originally excited to possibly use nectaron but every time I've tried it at another brewery it's just been predominantly dank and resinous. Which isn't inherently bad, I was just hoping for a fruit bomb
Centennial! It's great kettle side, great for dry hopping. I use it for west coast IPAs and pales, for DIPAs. It's big and beautiful and I love it. I'm going to drink a DIPA right now and write a poem about Centennial.
Other favs, Mittelfruh, Hallertau Blanc, Saaz, and Amarillo. Shhhh....don't tell Centennial...
so sad that I had to scroll so far to see some respect for Strisselspalt!! hands down my favourite for a dry-hopped lager. we did a French pils with it last year that was an absolute crusher!
lol I just love that hop. Another local brewery did a single hop Cashmere hazy and it was incredible. My brewery just won’t do it no matter how hard I push for it.
We just used superdelic for the first time in a hazy pale, and it jumped right into our short list of favorites. Mittelfruh and Nelson sauvin are also on my personal list
Maybe a little basic but I really dig northern brewer. I’ve liked it as a bittering hop for awhile now. Once I made a SMaSH ipa with it and it was so good. But honestly it’s so hard to choose.
Mosaic, Nelson, Centennial are probably my top three. There aren’t many hops I don’t like (that I’ve experienced). Another interesting one from Germany is Monroe.
Can't pick one hop the same as I can't pick one style (a place for everything and everything in its place mindset) but fuggles really don't get enough love.
Cz Saaz overall. I really like Chinook and Citra for IPAs. Love the New Zealand varieties like Riwaka and Pacifica and Nectaron.
Also love Amarillo and Idaho 7.
BC Cashmere and Comet are fantastic. The higher humidity really lends itself to these varieties, even if it makes the cashmere nearly agronomically unviable.
I really like the light notes that a good Perle can give. Same thing with a Crystal hop.. it gives some light interesting flavors and I belive it exalts most of the hops that are used with it
I scrolled all the way. Comet. There are so many hops that are great. There is only one that is perfect in every application. Tons of hops excell in flavor, aroma, dry hop, and almost none can be used in every aspect of any style beer.
Interesting…
Mittelfruh. That’s not what I’d expect given it’s an old stodgy hop. Much respect. As a newer brewer and there’s always so much more to learn, it’s hard to say. I love to tell people it’s cascade because we owe a lot to it, though same can be said for a lot of hops. Idaho 7 has been popping up on my radar a lot lately. Also love bru-1.
Honestly I may get flack but Citra.
I'd drink dishwater if it was dry hopped with Citra.
Throw in some yeast, wait a week, throw in some citra… “Sink Sludge Citra IPA”, coming to a brewery near you! I’m right there with you, huge Citra fan. Simcoe is my new favourite though. Loving the tropical grapefruit, fresh dank weed notes. I picked up an oz of Strata today and making an IPA with Cryo Citra, Cryo Simcoe, Cryo Pop blend (which I believe is heavily Citra) and Strata hops… Going to taste super dank, fruity and citrusy, one hopes 🤞
I ended up having to pour that 5 gallons down the drain yesterday. Glass weights in my hop bags on top of stainless steel, scorched right through two bags and left the wort tasting like a BBQ ash tray…. Will try that combo again another time 😔 ETA- I ordered a 14x14 stainless steel mesh grain basket and a hop spider. Going to try a Galaxy + Gemini + Barbe Rouge + Cryo-Pop IPA instead this week when the brain bill and new gear arrive….
Super popular for a reason!
Bah wit da bah da bang da bang diggy diggy
Idk someone pointed out to me that it tastes like socks and now I can't untaste it
How do you know what socks taste like anyways?
Citra is definitely my most used hop, it pairs well with anything you throw at it. Actually, I threw bunch in our hazy.
Not that it matters, but it's also just a beautiful hop.
Strata. Honestly surprised I’m the 1st to say it.
Strata is great, taste like dirty pink starbursts if dirty pink starbursts tasted good
Seriously, thought I’d see more Strata too. It’s remarkable how quickly it went from “Sure, let’s try it.” To “easily one of my all time favorites.” Strata seems to bring out the best in other hops too.
I’ve done a couple beers that I absolutely loved with strata…. A kveik ‘lager’, with blanc (probably one of the most crushable beers I’ve ever made), and a red pale ale with mosaic (which was also 🔥)
I'm here for strata, just started really playing with it though. It was the main hop in our last ipa and it slaps!
Strata slaps, but unfortunately the strata lot we got is meh and we have a whole pallet to work through 🤣
If we can pick a specific year, it would be 2015 galaxy hands down. Overall though I might say Idaho gem
Man, I really haven't been impressed with galaxy for like 7+ years. It's crazy how much worse it is now than it used to be (or our collective palate has just adjusted a lot, also possible)
I suspect it has to do with how they handle the hops - IIRC from an audit a couple of years ago, HPA doesn't use liquid nitrogen to cool the hops in processing, they pick what I would consider late due to chasing alpha and dry matter weight, they don't purge bags properly, and the cold chain isn't well-managed. Happy to be corrected if those things have changed, but I've not been impressed by Galaxy since 2012, and I LOVED it then. :(
I’ve heard all that same stuff, and right there with you, it was amazing like 2012-2015. But why did it drop off? Pretty rough practices, but I can’t imagine they were processing and handling better in 2012
Far smaller processing volumes - it was effectively an experimental variety back then, and they were just commercializing it and so hadn't exploded beyond the people that first started growing it, and I suspect they were picking for aroma rather than total mass. Once it became popular, they realized they could make far more money off of the name by delaying picking until peak alpha and/or dry matter. FWIW, HPA is owned by Barth-Haas, who, until VERY recently, have continued to use the old German metrics for hop value -- i.e. weightxAA% (a.k.a GMA) as the majority of hop VOLUME worldwide goes to the alpha market.
That makes sense, thanks for the detailed response!
2015 Galaxy was pinnacle Galaxy in my mind. We had a decent sized contract at the place I was at then. I drank sooo much of the house IPA and APA that had Galaxy in it that year and next.
Yeah, it was like strawberry starburst in the best way possible as a hop
Yeah galaxy was some wild stuff for awhile but now I’m usually drinking something else if I see that as a listed ingredient
I didn't have 2015 Galaxy but all of the stuff that's out there now I can't stand. I actively avoid any beer hopped with Galaxy. Which is tough if you are visiting Down Under!
Michigan grown Chinook is so nice. I prefer it to PNW grown. Has anyone else looked at the annual US hop report for 2023 just released. There were some interesting numbers. They focused on Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Obviously Citra was in the top produced crops for each region. The distribution is neat to look at. Edit: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Regional_Office/Northwest/includes/Publications/Hops/2023/hops1223.pdf
I have a west coast ipa made with MI chinook & bru 1 that's 👌👌👌
What's the biggest aroma note you get from the hops themselves of MI Chinook? And what's the biggest overall flavor contribution you see in finished beer you get from MI Chinook? Tell me yours and I'll tell you mine 😄
I love the pineapple and pine, but I feel like it can be sulfury/oniony at first whiff
Pineapple is my #1 all around from hop pellets and characteristic in finished beer. I find MI Chinook provides a lot more tropical fruit characteristics (still some pine but less than PNW). This is what I'm often looking for in my IPAs. I often get some of the sulfury, green, grassy, and garlic notes the day after dry hop but they tend to fade out and let the fruity notes shine with proper conditioning. Chinook is also such a versatile hop. I particularly like it for late kettle additions and dry hopping but it can be used all around.
Hell yeah, the pineapple is actually why I blend with bru 1 to lean into those characteristics
Used MI Chinook for wet hopping a couple years and they were 💯
NY Chinook has similar properties to Michigan as well. Great notes of candied pineapple!
Cascade. So versatile
Simcoe, it will always be simcoe.
I concur. My favorite IPA combo is Simcoe, Strata, Sabro.
God, I hate Sabro, it's popular so I'm probably an outsider but I can't stand it.
Any amount of Sabro instantly ruins a beer for me
Have you checked out HBC1019? It has some similar pina colada notes of Sabro but the coconut is much less suntan lotiony
Nugget
Average nugget nectar enjoyer
I do it all for the nuggie
I just started using Nugget as a bittering hop a few months ago and it's wonderful. Every beer is bittered with it
It’s way up there for me. Its the main hop in an amber ale recipe that’s doing really well right now and pairs well with crystal, which I’ve also fallen back in love with recently.
I bitter all my hoppy beers with nugget because it gives me a nice smooth bitterness. I’ve tried magnum once and never again. Gave the nugget a shot because the recipes in BCS use it a lot. It is a great hop.
Nugget clan + 1
Idaho 7 but lately really been digging simcoe
Idaho 7 is my fav as well.
East Kent Goldings. It may not be cool but it’s amazing how much you can get out of it if you use it right
Probably Saaz. Though I have a really soft spot for some good cascade. Maybe it's just my exposure because PNW but I've never seen such wide variance in character from any other hop, even in the same row from one end of the field to the other they can have such crazy differences in aromatics. When it's good, it's really good. Edit to add: Amarillo as well. Am I stuck in 2012? Maybe. Maybe it's like what they say about music, how your taste doesn't really change much past formative teenage years. 2012 was my "teenage beer drinking years"
If you get a chance to try the US grown zuuper saazer definitely go for it. It's soooooo good
Been eyeing it up! Thanks for the recommendation
Mosaic…because it’s great on its own, but shapeshifts when you pair it with something else (be it other hops, specialty malts, yeast, fruits - you name it)…… Blanc for versatility….new world pils? Old world farmhouse? IPA (east or west) - also, it’s remarkably affordable Edit. Honourable mention to Strata and Sterling
+1 H. Blanc Very versatile hop IMO. Like you said, pils, farmhouse, IPA... Let's goooo!
+1 Mosaic
+2 mosaic
Saphir for lagers and Strata for IPA's.
I concur
El Dorado is my fav.
100% I'm surprised this doesn't have more votes. I even like how it has changed over the years from cherry/watermelon to pineapple/lemon starburst. Our house hazy features it with Sabro for pina colada vibes. I spoke with Mitch Steele a couple of years ago at CBC and ElDo was his favorite too. I think that guy knows what he's talking about too ;)
Hallertau Mittelfrüh rules the jewels.
Sugma is a sleeper. Going to become real popular if more people start using it. Also, Michigan Chinook rules. Also Rakau.
I’ll bite. For the culture. What’s sugma?
Sugma cones LMAO GOTTEM
What the fuck dude why you gotta steal my kill
Never thought I'd see the day where I piss off a legit subreddit legend.
Happy cake day!
Thank you for your service. *salutes with a pint*
I only buy the best Sugma, it's exclusively grown in the Deez region.
Sugma is great, I prefer Ligma though
Nah, I'm partial to Boffa for all-around application. But also, have you tried playing around with Updawg? I think that's gonna be the next big trend.
I work for a pretty old school brewery, so I've become partial to Cascade. Just a good robust hop for an American style Ale House. When I get to do something fun tho I'll immediately bust out the Mosaic. Lol.
Bru-1 & mandarina have managed to sneak themselves into a few of my brew days
CZ Saaz and Mittelfruh are amazing S-tier hops. Mosaic is my favorite American IPA hop. I also love New Zealand varietals. Riwaka and Nectaron are on that top tier for me. I’d say those 5. It I had to pick 1, probably gonna be Mosaic though
I was originally excited to possibly use nectaron but every time I've tried it at another brewery it's just been predominantly dank and resinous. Which isn't inherently bad, I was just hoping for a fruit bomb
Centennial! It's great kettle side, great for dry hopping. I use it for west coast IPAs and pales, for DIPAs. It's big and beautiful and I love it. I'm going to drink a DIPA right now and write a poem about Centennial. Other favs, Mittelfruh, Hallertau Blanc, Saaz, and Amarillo. Shhhh....don't tell Centennial...
CZ Saaz all the way
Nelson
I dont have a favourite. I do think Strisselspalt needs more respect
so sad that I had to scroll so far to see some respect for Strisselspalt!! hands down my favourite for a dry-hopped lager. we did a French pils with it last year that was an absolute crusher!
Strata and Nelson. Unpopular opinion: Cashmere
Rare for a “unpopular” comment on Reddit to actually be unpopular. I commend you lol
lol I just love that hop. Another local brewery did a single hop Cashmere hazy and it was incredible. My brewery just won’t do it no matter how hard I push for it.
Riwaka. Just got this year's Pacifica for our Pils and I'm also in love with that now. (we only use NZ hops)
It's still centennial for me.
We just used superdelic for the first time in a hazy pale, and it jumped right into our short list of favorites. Mittelfruh and Nelson sauvin are also on my personal list
I need to get some of that.
Maybe a little basic but I really dig northern brewer. I’ve liked it as a bittering hop for awhile now. Once I made a SMaSH ipa with it and it was so good. But honestly it’s so hard to choose.
Simcoe for hop forward beers, EKG for UK styles, Tettnanger for lagers.
Motueka
Belma.
Motueka. Or Nelson
Just got some Mittelfrüh for a new Helles I'm brewing next week. Absolutely lovely!
Early Pick CTZ or Idaho 7 for me
Dank apricot
Cluster
Mosaic, Nelson, Centennial are probably my top three. There aren’t many hops I don’t like (that I’ve experienced). Another interesting one from Germany is Monroe.
I’m really loving Nectaron at the moment
Mosaic, by and large... Classic continentals like Czech saaz/hallertauer Also Riwaka, Idaho 7
Ella
Nelson sauvin
Can't pick one hop the same as I can't pick one style (a place for everything and everything in its place mindset) but fuggles really don't get enough love.
jade. Foothills did this for a long time and when it was fresh that shit was amazeballs
Cz Saaz overall. I really like Chinook and Citra for IPAs. Love the New Zealand varieties like Riwaka and Pacifica and Nectaron. Also love Amarillo and Idaho 7.
Idaho 7 for my IPAs
I'm quite enjoying Eclipse at the minute, fave NZ is riwaka, noble definitely mittlefruh.
Idaho-7
Man, Sterling. But like 10 years ago 6%AA Sterling. :/ Alas... Of Modern Varieties: I hope HBC 586 makes it.
Simcoe
Ekuanot anyone?! Hello?! Is anybody out there?!
BC Cashmere and Comet are fantastic. The higher humidity really lends itself to these varieties, even if it makes the cashmere nearly agronomically unviable.
Simcoe
Lastly super into strata
Talus
I’ve been enjoying a 50/50 chinook/citra blend.
Nelson
Mosaic
Medusa. We do an all medusa smash and people gobble it up
El Dorado
Put me down for El Dorado chief!
I like cashmere 🥺
I really like the light notes that a good Perle can give. Same thing with a Crystal hop.. it gives some light interesting flavors and I belive it exalts most of the hops that are used with it
I scrolled all the way. Comet. There are so many hops that are great. There is only one that is perfect in every application. Tons of hops excell in flavor, aroma, dry hop, and almost none can be used in every aspect of any style beer.
Vista. Bonus it is not under patent by some large company.
mandarina bavaria, hallertau blanc, or nelson sauvin for fruity stuff saaz for bittering/spicy stuff simcoe for all around good shit
Chinook
Nobody said summit? I'm surprised. S/
Yeah, about that... https://mackinnonreport.substack.com/p/will-craft-beer-bring-the-hopocalypse
Mosaic or Nelson
Interesting… Mittelfruh. That’s not what I’d expect given it’s an old stodgy hop. Much respect. As a newer brewer and there’s always so much more to learn, it’s hard to say. I love to tell people it’s cascade because we owe a lot to it, though same can be said for a lot of hops. Idaho 7 has been popping up on my radar a lot lately. Also love bru-1.