HeadyKilowatt
Well-Known Member
I just bottled my single-hopped Belma pale ale. In addition to the 60 minute bittering hops, I did additions at 30, 15, 5, and flameout to get the full range of flavors this variety has to offer (didn't do a dry-hop because my buddy dry-hopped his and I can see how that's gonna work out when we swap some brews).
So, impressions at bottling time? Wow. The fruity aroma and flavor is amazing. When I took the lid off the fermenter, it smelled like I dry-hopped with a strawberry fruit roll-up. Strawberry and passion fruit comes through in the flavor as well, and a nice, smooth bitterness compliments the fruity notes. Like no beer I've ever had before, for sure. I think this is going to be really interesting (in a good way) once it carbs and conditions. The Belma seems like it should be a good late-addition hop for summery beers and saisons. I may also use it in the future for bittering because it seems quite smooth for a high AA hop.
I'll post most impressions after it's carbed and ready to drink.
Other Belma experimenters- keep posting tasting notes! I'm interested to see what other folks did and how it turned out!
So, impressions at bottling time? Wow. The fruity aroma and flavor is amazing. When I took the lid off the fermenter, it smelled like I dry-hopped with a strawberry fruit roll-up. Strawberry and passion fruit comes through in the flavor as well, and a nice, smooth bitterness compliments the fruity notes. Like no beer I've ever had before, for sure. I think this is going to be really interesting (in a good way) once it carbs and conditions. The Belma seems like it should be a good late-addition hop for summery beers and saisons. I may also use it in the future for bittering because it seems quite smooth for a high AA hop.
I'll post most impressions after it's carbed and ready to drink.
Other Belma experimenters- keep posting tasting notes! I'm interested to see what other folks did and how it turned out!