Gonzo

Recipes 

Not sure what to do. Ordered a pound of fresh Citra hops, theoretically picked on Wednesday. I knew it would be risky brewing them after three days. But the hops just look dead. They are brown, curled and some are dry. Sure they smell like hops, but they arrived in a paper bag, unsealed. These came from Rebel Brewer in TN. Should I use these or ship them back?

Mongrel

Recipes 

They're not looking good, but make a hop tea and taste that before you decide what to do with them.

samc

Recipes 

To me fresh wet hops means you pick them and use them fast. Shipped from the field to the LHBS who then ships it to you means you have hops that are part of the way to dried hops but not properly done. Had they been in a plastic sealed bag they would have more than likely been worse off. If they will give you the money back I'd take it or chalk it up to a lesson learned.

Gonzo

Recipes 

Lesson learned. I made a tea, per Mongrel's suggestion, and all seems ok. I am not sure how the flavor might have changed, but I don't taste anything terribly off. At the end of the day, I'm going to avoid anything over one day from pick. I'm still surprised that Rebel Brewer decided to put this product out there. I'm frankly incredibly disappointed, but I guess I share some of the blame for being so naive.

Mongrel

Recipes 

I'm amazed they're selling them too. I'd email them a picture of how they arrived and at least voice your displeasure. I'd suggest growing your own, or making friends with someone with a few bines if you'd like to do a fresh hop brew.