Aged hops for lambic

[Loodachris]

Looking at trying to make a lambic and every recipe calls for aged hops. I assume it's tett or something but i'm sure anyone that makes lambics know what kind is needed. Not looking for much since I brew on a Pico Brew but maybe enough for a few batches.

 

[stpug]

IMHO, find the lowest alpha hop you can (<2%) and use it instead. Ones like strisselspalt, serebianka, celia are often at these low levels.

As for aged hops, any low-moderate AA hop that has been stored at room temp or above for a couple years would suffice. Aged noble hops would be ideal but are harder to come by here. Aged US noble-variant are good as well (willamette, santiam, mt hood, cascade, etc).

Then there's the option of baking hops at a low heat setting for a period of time to reduce the AA and artificially age them. Never done it and don't know the temp/time you'd use.

 

[lumpher]

If you were closer, i'd be happy to give you some, since i started aging a pound of hops about 3 years ago, and I still have most of it. You can find some here for cheap, though: http://www.hopsdirect.com/choice-debittered-aged-hops-leaf/

 

[stpug]

If you were closer, i'd be happy to give you some, since i started aging a pound of hops about 3 years ago, and I still have most of it. You can find some here for cheap, though: http://www.hopsdirect.com/choice-debittered-aged-hops-leaf/

A word of warning on the HopsDirect aged/debittered hops: They are quite bitter

 

[CA_Mouse]

Aged are nice but not needed. Just find the lowest AA hop you can and use .25 oz. I use Hallertauer Mittelfrüh

 

[lumpher]

Thanks for that warning, stpug. I'd hate to point someone somewhere, and steer them that badly wrong. Bitter hops in a Lambic?

 

[m00ps]

agreed. No need to buy aged hops. Hell, I can sell you "premium Kentucky-aged" hops my friend. And by that, I mean spare hops that have been poorly stored around my apartment and have I havent used because they have likely lost all aroma and much of their bitterness. And, at this point, I might even not charge you and cover the shipping just to not look at them anymore.

even with fresh hops, using a tiny bit of any noble-ish variety will work. My point is, buying actual "aged" hops is just stupid

 

[Loodachris]

Thanks for all the help. I'll just pick up a little low alpha hops and start my lambic tomorrow with the push of a button on my Picobrew

 

[MoreHopsPlease]

A word of warning on the HopsDirect aged/debittered hops: They are quite bitter

Sorry for bringing this back form the dead, but I saw somewhere that Hops Direct claims they tested their debittered hops at 0% AA. Do you have any more information on this?

 

[RPh_Guy]

Sorry for bringing this back form the dead, but I saw somewhere that Hops Direct claims they tested their debittered hops at 0% AA. Do you have any more information on this?

Oxidized beta acids provide bitterness in aged hops.
Labeling as 0% AA is incredibly misleading!

http://www.milkthefunk.com/wiki/Hops#Aged_Hops_in_Lambic