Which Hops for Orangey / Pineappley Hoppy Saison

[hogg44]

I'm wanting to make a hoppy saison w/ lots of orange and pineapple aromas (without actually using any fruit). I'd like about equal parts orange and pineapple without one overpowering the other. I am for sure going to use Denali to get the pineapple. My question is for the orange aroma. I have Mandarina Bavaria and Amarillo available.

Should I just use Mandarina and Denali in equal parts? More of one over the other? (I've only used Denali previously.) 50% Denali, 25% Mandarina, 25% Amarillo? No Mandarina? A different ratio? Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[TreborDeSinagro]

I'd say for orange either Mandarina Bavaria or First Gold.
Pineapple I'd go for Vic Secret. Use these late or dry hop and not for bittering.

I haven't heard of Denali, just googled it and they sound tasty.

 

[Torrefaction]

Mandarina B. is not as potent as big AA American hops, and while I haven't used Denali, I've heard it's particularly potent: try 50% MB, 25% Amarillo, 25 Denali%. Mmm. Time to write a new recipe...

 

[RonPopeil]

I would combine Amarillo and citra for Orange + tropical flavor profile. Centennial is good here as well either in addition or replacing Amarillo. Just be careful putting them all together in large quantities. When I did that I ended up with fruity pebbles.

 

[hogg44]

I would combine Amarillo and citra for Orange + tropical flavor profile.

I'm not sure if it's just the batch I got or not, but I've been staying away from Citra. I haven't been a fan. I think I might be one of those "Citra=cat piss" people. But cats are a-holes, so I stay away from them and I'm not really sure what cat piss smells like.

 

[dmtaylor]

Columbus Columbus Columbus. And just a touch of Citra.

 

[RonPopeil]

I'm not sure if it's just the batch I got or not, but I've been staying away from Citra. I haven't been a fan. I think I might be one of those "Citra=cat piss" people. But cats are a-holes, so I stay away from them and I'm not really sure what cat piss smells like.

I'm not a cat owner so not much experience with cat piss. I also don't waste citra and Amarillo by adding them early. Always large quantities very late in the boil. "Hopbursting" if you will. Establish 90% of your bitterness with your 60min addition. The rest goes in within 10 minutes of flame out. Try 3oz of Amarillo and 2oz of citra at T-5 for juicey hop flavor in a 1.070 ish beer.

 

[Torrefaction]

I've occasionally gotten "catty" from citra, usually when I mix with simcoe. I really think it comes down to the crop and when it was harvested. I usually get lychee, passion fruit, mango, and pineapple from citra, with citrus playing a back seat. It's one of my favorite hops, and I use it a lot. Sounds like Denali is a better bet for pineapple (plus you're already "for sure" committed to it), however, and the MB + Amarillo will definitely give you some orange. To get enough orange, you'll have to bury the Denali with the other two hops. Allow for a hint of sweetness in the malt profile to kick up those fruity notes. I don't think I would bring Columbus in on this one except maybe in a supporting/cameo role. It can bring some citrus, but it's also "stern." I think 50% MB, 25% Amarillo and 25% Denali would give a perfect balance between pineapple and orange. You'll obviously need a big dry hop. What quantities are we talking?

 

[JonM]

I did a combo of Nugget and Centennial and it was super orangey - not orange-like, but almost like fresh-squeezed orange juice. Each addition was a 50/50 mix of each hop.

 

[hogg44]

What quantities are we talking?

I'll probably use an ounce per gallon in the dry hop, haven't decided for sure on the hop stand hops yet. Suggestions welcome. I want it to be hoppy but still have a saison character.

 

[AkTom]

Please post some tasting notes and your recipe.