Newest Threads

MrKlepacki · 08-21-2011, 06:52 PM

Hi All! First of all, I'd like to say that I did do a search for this on the forums but didn't find an exact answer.

I have been brewing alone and with others for about 3 years now, and only recently have I been having an allergic reaction (throat swells up, trouble breathing) I thought at first it was a yeast (Belgian yeast) but now I've had the problem with an Irish yeast brew (my main yeast)

I think I've narrowed it down to being the hops, specifically hops from the Fuggle family. What I'm looking for is a list of all hops that are from the fuggle family, and I'm having a heck of a time... If you know of any please let me know! If you've had this problem, what did you do?

Here is what I have for the Fuggle family: Cascade, Fuggle, Glacier, Styrian Golding, and Swiss Tettnanger.

Thank you and cheers!

Lodovico · 08-21-2011, 07:35 PM

I'm sorry I can't help but I have to say that's like my worst nightmare.

Allergic to hops?? I'm sorry man. I hope someone here can help you.

**CoalCracker** · 08-21-2011, 08:41 PM

Does this happen while brewing or drinking? I get like that while crushing my grains. Have to wear a mask.

MrKlepacki · 08-21-2011, 08:55 PM

This only happens while drinking. I've made a few hop teas to see what bothers me. So far those I listed are a problem, and all are in the fuggle family. Really I'd like to know what else is bred from fuggle. Maybe I will repost this with a different title?

IffyG · 08-21-2011, 09:47 PM

I'm no immunologist (or doctor for that matter), but I highly doubt you'd be allergic to hops bred from one cultivar, but not others. Also, the symptoms you mention sound a lot like anaphylactic shock to me. I wouldn't be making hop teas... I'd be calling a doctor.

JRems · 08-22-2011, 02:29 AM

I think willamette is in the fuggle family

**Airborneguy** · 08-22-2011, 02:41 AM

First, definitely contact a doctor on this. I have a serious shellfish allergy and know what its like to be in full anaphalactic shock. It sucks, especially on Christmas Eve

What you are describing goes beyond a minor alllergic reaction. Serious allergies get worse every time you have a reaction. My next shellfish exposure will likely kill me. An allergist will tell you what exactly you are allergic to.

Second, I have suffered minor allergic reactions in past when brewing with Amarillo. For some reason, only Amarillo does this to me. I have no problem drinking it, only brewing with it. So I do believe that one can be allergic to particular hops. Obviously there is something in them that makes them different, or else we wouldn't have to use different names for them and we wouldn't be able to taste any difference.

Remember, you are not allergic to the whole hop necessarily, just a compound in the hop. I'm not allergic to the shellfish per-se, just the protein they use to make their shells. It is absolutely possible to be allergic to only particular types of particular product.

**step** · 08-22-2011, 02:46 AM

My father has a similar reaction and instantly vomits with anything more than the smallest sip. Used to really enjoy beer and now he has to stick to the herbal beers (heather and spruce are all he can find commercially). I know this doesn't help you, just know that you are not alone.

Good Luck!

dshaggy · 08-22-2011, 03:35 AM

Keep an Epi pen on you.

DannPM · 08-22-2011, 03:44 AM

I'm fairly certain that the American varieties make my stomach very upset, possibly some kind of allergic reaction, enzyme deficiency, whatever it is, I know how to avoid it. Luckily my favorite beer is Belgian.