Choosing hops for an ESB?

I'm planning on brewing an ESB this weekend and am looking for feedback on hops. I went on a hops buying binge recently, and now have EKG, fuggles, Bramling Cross, challenger, and some northern brewer that I could use. My latest thought was to use 1 oz challenger at 60min, and 1 oz Bramling Cross at 20 min and flameout. Does this sound ok or should I go another direction? I've never used Bramling Cross, so I'd like to try this one for late additions, but I'd appreciate any other feedback.

I like an EKG/Fuggle combo for ESBs.

Never used Bramling Cross for anything before, so I don't even know what that tastes like.

I like to bitter with admiral in brittish beers.

You've got a great assortment of British hops that should all work well in an ESB. I don't think you'd go wrong with any choice(s) you make. EKG with or without Fuggles is a classic approach, but you might find something you like more with a different hop schedule. I like challenger up to about 20 minutes, same with Fuggles; northern brewer makes for a neutral bittering additions; EKG is an excellent finisher; and I have no idea about Bramling Cross because I've only ever heard the name

I have no idea what it tastes like either, that's why I want to try it! Maybe I should play it safe with EKG/fuggles, but what's the fun in that?

Well, why not try Bramling Cross & EKG for flavor additions? Maybe some EKG at 3 minutes for a bit of aroma as well?

unionrdr said:

Well, why not try Bramling Cross & EKG for flavor additions? Maybe some EKG at 3 minutes for a bit of aroma as well?

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This is basically what I ended up doing. EKG at 60, BC at 15, and an oz each of EKG and BC at flameout. The aroma coming from the BC was really unique, in a good way. Unfortunately my yeast starter failed, with the smack pack being stuck in a UPS truck over 4th of July weekend (thanks Midwest...) Pitched Nottingham as a backup, so hopefully I can keep it cool enough in the next few days. I haven't had great results in the past with Nottingham, so wish me luck!

I recently made an Amber ESB, using Nugget @60 and Fuggles @ 10. I am not a fan of EKG, as I find as the bottles condition, I get a strong metallic taste I find offensive. This was my first Amber ESB using Nugget hops and I really liked the results. I like U.S. Golding in ESB's, right along with Fuggles.