AAU's of hops

[adhomebrew10]

How do I go about determining the AAU's of the hops I order online? Midwest has the average AAUs for the hops listed, but it doesn't seem to match up to the AAU content I see in the recipe database. For instance, Midwest says that cascade has an average AAU of 7.2, but some recipes on this site list their AAUs for cascade as 5 - 5.5. I realize it will vary from year to year, but is there a good way to know the actual AAU of the hops you are ordering?

-adhomebrew10

 

[soundsandsuds]

Go with what the store says. It should be based on what their supplier has tested that batch at.

 

[david_42]

No, however, every package of hops I've received has had the actual AA% on the label. All you have to do is adjust the bittering add.

 

[Hang Glider]

It's always an approximation until it gets to an actual harvest. If you need something really acidic, you pick a higher AA, then do the math when you get them.

It is also possible for the vendors to get different AAs from different suppliers during the same year - so the store cannot really keep it's catalog or website precisely accurate - close is all you'll get until the stamped package arrives.

 

[JLem]

if the package of Cascade lists an alpha acid % different from your recipe, adjust your recipe to accommodate the difference. For example, if you are using a recipe that calls for 1oz at 5%, you only need 0.7oz at 7%. Note that this really only applies to bittering additions and IBU calculations. If the recipe calls for 1oz during the last 15 minutes of the boil for a flavor/aroma addition, still use the 1oz. Alpha acids have nothing to do with flavor and aroma. Of course, you may then have to adjust your bittering addition to account for any extra bitterness you get from the higher alpha acids added at this time as well.

 

[adhomebrew10]

Thanks for the replies. The reason I am wondering is because I have a target IBU I want to hit, and I would like to order no more hops than necessary to hit my target. If I aim high and the AAU is not enough, my bitterness will not be right. If I aim low and have leftovers, storage becomes an issue.

 

[Hang Glider]

Awesome investment - vacuum sealer.
extra hops/grains store well vacuum sealed in the freezer -

remember to mark what they are...

 

[dotnetdotcom]

Thanks for the replies. The reason I am wondering is because I have a target IBU I want to hit, and I would like to order no more hops than necessary to hit my target. If I aim high and the AAU is not enough, my bitterness will not be right. If I aim low and have leftovers, storage becomes an issue.

I used to stress out about hitting my gravity and IBU exactly. After doing some SMaSH tests earlier this year, I realized that it didn't make that big of a difference. Now I just toss it in and brew it.

If you are worried about leftover ingredients, you could try adjusting the amount of water in your wort. A few extra bottles is a good thing.
Just keep a brew log with the exact ingredient amounts used.