Belma Hops

[shoreman]

Thanks (i hope I'm not missing sarcasism).

I think Im going to spilt it into 5 one gallon batches and leave one as pure belma and dry hop the other four with various companion hops (I have a lot of hops...damn u nikobrew...)Ill step up my starter tonight for the 5x spilt.

Nope I really enjoyed it - I've brewed 3 beers that have Belma in them so far and it's nice to see what others are thinking / you had a very throughout review

 

[FourSeasonAngler]

For anyone interested, I have a thorough break-down of my Belma single hop IPA on my blog.

The short version: I fermented this with Conan yeast, which is basically steroids for hops, and as a result this is one of the most intensely fruity IPAs I've ever tasted. The aroma and flavor is dominated by strawberry — like, intensely, specifically, strawberry. I thought I was going crazy when I opened my first bottle; I've honestly never had another beer like it in my life. Very clean bitterness. Too straightforward to win any awards (it hardly tastes like an IPA), but a fascinating beer and very nice to drink.

I wish I could get my hands on some Conan yeast. I'm dying to brew with that delicious lil critter! Any chance you would be willing to do a beer or brew for yeast trade?

 

[bleme]

I wish I could get my hands on some Conan yeast. I'm dying to brew with that delicious lil critter! Any chance you would be willing to do a beer or brew for yeast trade?

Conan does sound like the perfect yeast. It sure makes me wonder how it was developed though.

 

[BBL_Brewer]

I love Conan. I'm not sure I'd use his yeast though....oh wait, we're not talking O'Brian are we?

 

[duckmanco]

Super attenuator and peach like flavors sound awful close to Wyeast 1469 West Yorkshire, although 1469 drops out like a rock when it's done, but I wonder what these yeasts would taste like in a side by side.

 

[othellomcbane]

Super attenuator and peach like flavors sound awful close to Wyeast 1469 West Yorkshire, although 1469 drops out like a rock when it's done, but I wonder what these yeasts would taste like in a side by side.

I just picked up some West Yorkshire. Maybe I'll split a batch to compare them.

 

[SixStringBeer]

Super attenuator + Wyeast 1469 West Yorkshire

Eh, wyeast have the AA listed as 67-71% (pretty low, even by English standards) for that yeast, while Othello is reporting AA of 80%+. Pretty big gap between the two there. Would be interesting to compare the two side by side either way mind you. Maybe split a batch 3 ways and compare it with wyeast 1318 as well (which fits the profile a bit better in my mind).

 

[schoellhorn82]

THis was no help at all. haha

 

[ong]

I did a single hop pale ale using all Belma (lots and lots of late hop additions), and I'm really not loving it. Thinking of adding some other dry hop to the keg to try to spruce it up a little. There's surprisingly little aroma and flavor from the Belma, considering I added about six ounces of hops over the last 10 minutes. The grain bill is mostly Maris Otter with some Munich and crystal.

 

[TNGabe]

Had a single hop Belma APA at a friend's tonight. Enjoyable, but not the sort of flavor most people want in a pale ale, I think it would be great in a mild. Definitely get strawberry, which as a watery fruit, I feel is a flavor that give the impression of less mouthfeel than you'd get otherwise.

Kegged Belma single hop petite saison yesterday. I'm not sure it will be a hit at the solstice parry I kegged it for, but the brett and oak flush out the Belma background well, although another hop would have flushed out the beer.

Pulled a sample on Belma hopped wheat wine, it's about equal with Brewer's Gold & Nelson Sauvin - Yum! Boozy and bitter, the oak should catch up soon and then ready to cellar. Won't suck in a couple months, but should be sublime by next xmas.

 

[allenH]

Just kegged my Nelson/Belma Rye Pale. Hydrometer sample tasted pretty good, although I am not an expert at tasting flat beer. I was happy that the grassiness was gone. It should be carbed by next weekend.



It's the first time I have dry hopped with 2oz of leaf, I probably should have checked it sooner and stirred the hops in.

 

[ong]

I did a single hop pale ale using all Belma (lots and lots of late hop additions), and I'm really not loving it. Thinking of adding some other dry hop to the keg to try to spruce it up a little. There's surprisingly little aroma and flavor from the Belma, considering I added about six ounces of hops over the last 10 minutes. The grain bill is mostly Maris Otter with some Munich and crystal.

Just keg-hopped with a couple ounces of 2011 Cascade I wanted to get rid of. We'll see how that changes that aroma.

 

[FATC1TY]

I just pulled a pint of the Belma/Galaxy IPA. Dry hopped with Galaxy, Belma and Cascade.

Holy crap it's good... It's a medley of citrusy fruit flavors with a hint of the earthy grass note in there to balance it. I really like it with the Galaxy.. I can pick the the subtle berry earthy notes, and the citrusy notes from the Galaxy. Nice and dry finish on the beer.

 

[nukebrewer]

I'm brewing my Belma SMaSH IPA tomorrow. Can't wait to see how it comes out.

 

[FATC1TY]

Okay..

Verdict is in early.. It's got maybe less than a week on the gas and in the keg. Dry hops are still in there, will be slower to work in the cold.

However.. The beer is really good. I've got some of the most amazingly smooth and fruity bittering from the Belma. It's bitter on the front, and that oh so wanted smooth bitter on the after taste.

Strawberry, red berry, pineapple, grass clippings, slight sweet pine. All are present in the nose and the taste. Paired with the Galaxy, I'm getting the serious citrusy passionfruit, way over ripe pineapple, and some cantaloupe. The cascade I recognize in there, and I think it tones down the earthy dirt, piney/grassy, almost white pepper notes of the Belma. The berry note from Belma is loud though, atleast in my beer. It's the first thing you taste and then it goes AWOL for the rest of the flavors to develop.

Anyways.. it taste good. It's not SOOOO out there and loud that you put it down and go "WTF?", but it's subtle and smooth enough that mingles well with the Galaxy and pinch of Cascade to really get the party going. Good change up from the Pine or Citrus you see in IPA's. It straddles both and gives a slightly different angle.

In any case, it looks good, and good lord at the great lacing this early.

And......


YUM.. Wish I could have about 4 of these tonight, but at 7.5%, and being Monday, I'll refrain.

 

[jakenbacon]

Okay..

Verdict is in early.. It's got maybe less than a week on the gas and in the keg. Dry hops are still in there, will be slower to work in the cold.

However.. The beer is really good. I've got some of the most amazingly smooth and fruity bittering from the Belma. It's bitter on the front, and that oh so wanted smooth bitter on the after taste.

Strawberry, red berry, pineapple, grass clippings, slight sweet pine. All are present in the nose and the taste. Paired with the Galaxy, I'm getting the serious citrusy passionfruit, way over ripe pineapple, and some cantaloupe. The cascade I recognize in there, and I think it tones down the earthy dirt, piney/grassy, almost white pepper notes of the Belma. The berry note from Belma is loud though, atleast in my beer. It's the first thing you taste and then it goes AWOL for the rest of the flavors to develop.

Anyways.. it taste good. It's not SOOOO out there and loud that you put it down and go "WTF?", but it's subtle and smooth enough that mingles well with the Galaxy and pinch of Cascade to really get the party going. Good change up from the Pine or Citrus you see in IPA's. It straddles both and gives a slightly different angle.

In any case, it looks good, and good lord at the great lacing this early.

And......


YUM.. Wish I could have about 4 of these tonight, but at 7.5%, and being Monday, I'll refrain.

Yum.... What recipe you go off of sir?

 

[FATC1TY]

Belma's Galaxy IPA


Amt Name Type # %/IBU
11 lbs Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 1 86.3 %
12.0 oz Caramel/Crystal Malt - 40L (40.0 SRM) Grain 2 5.9 %
8.0 oz Munich Malt (9.0 SRM) Grain 3 3.9 %
8.0 oz Vienna Malt (3.5 SRM) Grain 4 3.9 %
0.50 oz Belma [12.10 %] - First Wort 60.0 min Hop 5 19.2 IBUs
1.10 Items Whirlfloc Tablet (Boil 15.0 mins) Fining 6 -
1.00 oz Belma [11.30 %] - Boil 10.0 min Hop 7 13.0 IBUs
0.50 oz Galaxy [14.00 %] - Boil 10.0 min Hop 8 8.1 IBUs
0.50 oz Cascade [5.50 %] - Boil 7.0 min Hop 9 2.1 IBUs
1.00 oz Belma [11.30 %] - Boil 5.0 min Hop 10 7.2 IBUs
0.50 oz Galaxy [14.00 %] - Boil 1.0 min Hop 11 1.0 IBUs
1.00 oz Belma [12.10 %] - Aroma Steep 0.0 min Hop 12 0.0 IBUs
2.0 pkg Safale American (DCL/Fermentis #US-05) [50.28 ml] Yeast 13 -
1.00 oz Belma [12.10 %] - Dry Hop 0.0 Days Hop 14 0.0 IBUs
1.00 oz Cascade [5.50 %] - Dry Hop 0.0 Days Hop 15 0.0 IBUs
1.00 oz Galaxy [14.00 %] - Dry Hop 0.0 Days Hop 16 0.0 IBUs

1.067 OG, 1.010 FG

Mashed at 152* for 60minutes according to my BS notes.

Came out nicely. The malty biscuit note really supports the hops. It's not a west coast style, but a bit more balanced for someone who likes a little sweet and a little bitter to mingle.

 

[nukebrewer]

Okay..

Verdict is in early.. It's got maybe less than a week on the gas and in the keg. Dry hops are still in there, will be slower to work in the cold.

However.. The beer is really good. I've got some of the most amazingly smooth and fruity bittering from the Belma. It's bitter on the front, and that oh so wanted smooth bitter on the after taste.

Strawberry, red berry, pineapple, grass clippings, slight sweet pine. All are present in the nose and the taste. Paired with the Galaxy, I'm getting the serious citrusy passionfruit, way over ripe pineapple, and some cantaloupe. The cascade I recognize in there, and I think it tones down the earthy dirt, piney/grassy, almost white pepper notes of the Belma. The berry note from Belma is loud though, atleast in my beer. It's the first thing you taste and then it goes AWOL for the rest of the flavors to develop.

Anyways.. it taste good. It's not SOOOO out there and loud that you put it down and go "WTF?", but it's subtle and smooth enough that mingles well with the Galaxy and pinch of Cascade to really get the party going. Good change up from the Pine or Citrus you see in IPA's. It straddles both and gives a slightly different angle.

In any case, it looks good, and good lord at the great lacing this early.

And......


YUM.. Wish I could have about 4 of these tonight, but at 7.5%, and being Monday, I'll refrain.

Awesome! Glad to hear it came out well. I am excited to try mine, but I just brewed it today so I have a while to wait.

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

Okay, brewing an IPA Saturday.

Plan on Bravo for bittering, and Columbus and Citra for flavor/aroma additions

Splitting the 10g batch and DHing one with Belma, and one with Citra, maybe some Columbus or Wilamette, or Cascade. I haven't decided yet.

Anyhow, will report results in a few weeks.

Thanks for the preliminary info on the hop's character.

 

[FATC1TY]

Okay, brewing an IPA Saturday.

Plan on Bravo for bittering, and Columbus and Citra for flavor/aroma additions

Splitting the 10g batch and DHing one with Belma, and one with Citra, maybe some Columbus or Wilamette, or Cascade. I haven't decided yet.

Anyhow, will report results in a few weeks.

Thanks for the preliminary info on the hop's character.

Sounds good, but might want to look into what people commented on about Belma for just dry hop.

I'd suggest using it in the beer to get a flavor, not just an aroma.

Works fantastic as a bittering hop however. If someone wasn't crazy about the flavor or aroma, it's a killer fruity bittering hop.

 

[HeadyKilowatt]

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!

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

I just cracked opened my bag of Belma tonight and weighed out an addition for an IPA I'll be brewing tomorrow. There are so many mixed reviews on this hop, so I am only adding a 20 minute addition to my brew. However, I will be splitting the 10 gallon batch into two 5 gallon batches, and I think I will dry hop one exclusively with Belma.

FWIW, I am using Bravo for bittering, Columbus, Citra and Belma for flavor additions.

On a side note, I was slightly disappointed at the amount of lumber in my Belma leafs. The Citra was super clean no sticks, stems, and vines. On the other hand the Belma was full of that stuff. Both came from Hops Direct, so...

Will post results in a few weeks.

 

[ong]

On a side note, I was slightly disappointed at the amount of lumber in my Belma leafs. The Citra was super clean no sticks, stems, and vines. On the other hand the Belma was full of that stuff. Both came from Hops Direct, so...

Same here -- a lot of browning on the cones, and a lot of big twigs and stems. I guess they're not making much on this hop at these prices, though.

 

[JonGrafto]

That's why they give you extra. I bought 5 lbs and every bag weighed at least 1.25 lbs and one was 1.37 lbs.

 

[eanmcnulty]

It smells great, I will be kegging this weekend and will post results

I never heard of these hops until today, so I read this whole thread. You said you brewed a Zombie Dust clone. How did it turn out?

I have brewed Zombie Dust three times now.
First, I used all-Citra.
Second, I used Amarillo/Citra
Third, I used Amarillo/Citra/Simcoe (keeps getting better)

I think the Zombie malt bill is excellent, and I am going to keep playing with it. Most recipes call for an English yeast. For my next clone, I am going back to all-Citra, but I am going to use US-05.

I think I would like to try brewing this with these Belma hops. They are still one pound for $5.25. They sound good.

 

[nukebrewer]

Same here -- a lot of browning on the cones, and a lot of big twigs and stems. I guess they're not making much on this hop at these prices, though.

Hops Direct is the grower of Belma (that's how they sell it so cheaply) while the Citra comes from a different source. IIRC Citra is only grown at a few select farms. That would explain difference in stem content.

 

[Chriso]

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.

Thanks for this - Strawberry Fruit Roll Up is an excellent descriptor. I also came up with "Strawberry flavor Bubblicious bubble gum" when I was drinking my Velma Smash last night. It's a very sweet and pleasant red berry scent.

 

[kpr121]

I have a feeling with all these comments that Belma could end up my go-to hop for blonde/kolsch/cream ales. A simple grain bill with Belma at 60 minutes and 5 minutes sounds pretty delicious.

 

[strambo]

I was just thinking a cream ale with a small bittering addition and a little Belma at 20 and flameout would be really good.

 

[FATC1TY]

I just cracked opened my bag of Belma tonight and weighed out an addition for an IPA I'll be brewing tomorrow. There are so many mixed reviews on this hop, so I am only adding a 20 minute addition to my brew. However, I will be splitting the 10 gallon batch into two 5 gallon batches, and I think I will dry hop one exclusively with Belma.

FWIW, I am using Bravo for bittering, Columbus, Citra and Belma for flavor additions.

On a side note, I was slightly disappointed at the amount of lumber in my Belma leafs. The Citra was super clean no sticks, stems, and vines. On the other hand the Belma was full of that stuff. Both came from Hops Direct, so...

Will post results in a few weeks.

The Citra was sold by Hops Direct, but wasn't grown there. Probably a bale bought from another farm that grows Citra, and they made them into pellets, or simply resold it from another farm.

Belma, however, was grown, and processed there, hence the extra "junk".