Best NEIPA hop combos

[Clyde McCoy]

There are so many holes in that study I have a hard time taking it too seriously. If those beers were all brewed by one person (team) on one brewhouse and packaged by one person I might have a better time accepting its results. My favorite part is the brewery with 1200+ ppm of So4 in their water.

I'd like to see John Kimmich comment on the "negative correlation between sulfate levels and perceived hop flavor."

 

[Noob_Brewer]

OK, so I brewed today and originally was going to go for an orange forward NEIPA using mostly Idaho 7 on the hot side (whirlpool) and heavy on mandarin bavaria in the dry hop. However, for the first time (Ive only been brewing since january) when I re-opened the bag of mandarin bavaria today (was going to put a small addition in whirlpool) it was more than underwhelming smell. Ive never had this before. Wasn't really onion/garlic but really pretty much no smell at all. I don't own a vacuum sealer and this bag was previously opened. So with that being said, I don't think I want to try to feature this hop in the dry hop when the time comes (about 10 days from now). So I genuinely would like to get some input on other hops that would go well with the base that I used on the hot side today which Ive used before and love it as a "base" NEIPA. Today's hops schedule was:

60min boil - Columbus (0.5oz)
5min boil - Columbus (0.25oz) + Citra (0.25oz)
Whirlpool (60 minutes total at 155 degrees F) - Idaho 7 (4.5oz), Citra (0.5oz)

I was intending on splitting the citra Whirlpool addition with citra / mandarin bavaria (0.25oz each) and then using citra / man bavaria in the dry hop with a 2:1 ratio of man bag/citra. But since the man bavaria didn't smell great, I didn't use it. So thats what Im working with from hop side hops. I love the nice depth/earth/dank/fresh hop that columbus brings to this hop schedule. Ive used this hot side regimen before and then went with citra/nelson on DH and it was awesome. Yeast I pitched is A24 Imperial Dry Hop. I have a big selection of hops available for dry hop, and don't care if it retains the orange forward theme I was originally going for.


Hops that I have available in addition to the other ones already listed: Galaxy, Simcoe, Mosaic, Riwaka (just got these today!), Nelson, Amarillo, Waimea, Vic Secret, Strata, Motueka (haven't used these yet), Centennial, Cashmere, and Huell Melon

So what would you think would play well with this hot side hop schedule in the dry hop? I could just go with what Ive done before with Citrus/Nelson in DH but just looking for a different set of eyes on this.

 

[Dgallo]

OK, so I brewed today and originally was going to go for an orange forward NEIPA using mostly Idaho 7 on the hot side (whirlpool) and heavy on mandarin bavaria in the dry hop. However, for the first time (Ive only been brewing since january) when I re-opened the bag of mandarin bavaria today (was going to put a small addition in whirlpool) it was more than underwhelming smell. Ive never had this before. Wasn't really onion/garlic but really pretty much no smell at all. I don't own a vacuum sealer and this bag was previously opened. So with that being said, I don't think I want to try to feature this hop in the dry hop when the time comes (about 10 days from now). So I genuinely would like to get some input on other hops that would go well with the base that I used on the hot side today which Ive used before and love it as a "base" NEIPA. Today's hops schedule was:

60min boil - Columbus (0.5oz)
5min boil - Columbus (0.25oz) + Citra (0.25oz)
Whirlpool (60 minutes total at 155 degrees F) - Idaho 7 (4.5oz), Citra (0.5oz)

I was intending on splitting the citra Whirlpool addition with citra / mandarin bavaria (0.25oz each) and then using citra / man bavaria in the dry hop with a 2:1 ratio of man bag/citra. But since the man bavaria didn't smell great, I didn't use it. So thats what Im working with from hop side hops. I love the nice depth/earth/dank/fresh hop that columbus brings to this hop schedule. Ive used this hot side regimen before and then went with citra/nelson on DH and it was awesome. Yeast I pitched is A24 Imperial Dry Hop. I have a big selection of hops available for dry hop, and don't care if it retains the orange forward theme I was originally going for.


Hops that I have available in addition to the other ones already listed: Galaxy, Simcoe, Mosaic, Riwaka (just got these today!), Nelson, Amarillo, Waimea, Vic Secret, Strata, Motueka (haven't used these yet), Centennial, Cashmere, and Huell Melon

So what would you think would play well with this hot side hop schedule in the dry hop? I could just go with what Ive done before with Citrus/Nelson in DH but just looking for a different set of eyes on this.

If you wanna keep your orange plan going Amarillo is a good choice

 

[couchsending]

OK, so I brewed today and originally was going to go for an orange forward NEIPA using mostly Idaho 7 on the hot side (whirlpool) and heavy on mandarin bavaria in the dry hop. However, for the first time (Ive only been brewing since january) when I re-opened the bag of mandarin bavaria today (was going to put a small addition in whirlpool) it was more than underwhelming smell. Ive never had this before. Wasn't really onion/garlic but really pretty much no smell at all. I don't own a vacuum sealer and this bag was previously opened. So with that being said, I don't think I want to try to feature this hop in the dry hop when the time comes (about 10 days from now). So I genuinely would like to get some input on other hops that would go well with the base that I used on the hot side today which Ive used before and love it as a "base" NEIPA. Today's hops schedule was:

60min boil - Columbus (0.5oz)
5min boil - Columbus (0.25oz) + Citra (0.25oz)
Whirlpool (60 minutes total at 155 degrees F) - Idaho 7 (4.5oz), Citra (0.5oz)

I was intending on splitting the citra Whirlpool addition with citra / mandarin bavaria (0.25oz each) and then using citra / man bavaria in the dry hop with a 2:1 ratio of man bag/citra. But since the man bavaria didn't smell great, I didn't use it. So thats what Im working with from hop side hops. I love the nice depth/earth/dank/fresh hop that columbus brings to this hop schedule. Ive used this hot side regimen before and then went with citra/nelson on DH and it was awesome. Yeast I pitched is A24 Imperial Dry Hop. I have a big selection of hops available for dry hop, and don't care if it retains the orange forward theme I was originally going for.


Hops that I have available in addition to the other ones already listed: Galaxy, Simcoe, Mosaic, Riwaka (just got these today!), Nelson, Amarillo, Waimea, Vic Secret, Strata, Motueka (haven't used these yet), Centennial, Cashmere, and Huell Melon

So what would you think would play well with this hot side hop schedule in the dry hop? I could just go with what Ive done before with Citrus/Nelson in DH but just looking for a different set of eyes on this.

It just depends on what you’re looking for. I7 comes through fermentation better than any hop. The black tea/earth generally doesn’t survive but the orangey character does make it through and will accent a DH but DH will still overpower most everything.

You’ve got a great selection. If you’re going for max impact Citra + Galaxy is top notch. Citra + Mosaic is standard. Amarillo can be orangey but I’ve never found really good Amarillo personally.

If you want to learn what certain hops bring that you haven’t used before feature that hop and support it with a bit of Citra or Mosaic.

Simcoe is rad with everything

Simcoe/Nelson/Amarillo is great

Galaxy/Simcoe

Citra/Motueka is nice and limey usually

Riwaka, Amarillo, Centennial or
Riwaka Amarillo, Simcoe

Huell melon will get run over, don’t bother. German hops are maybe the most variable.. as you’ve already found.

 

[skleice]

OK, so I brewed today and originally was going to go for an orange forward NEIPA using mostly Idaho 7 on the hot side (whirlpool) and heavy on mandarin bavaria in the dry hop. However, for the first time (Ive only been brewing since january) when I re-opened the bag of mandarin bavaria today (was going to put a small addition in whirlpool) it was more than underwhelming smell. Ive never had this before. Wasn't really onion/garlic but really pretty much no smell at all. I don't own a vacuum sealer and this bag was previously opened. So with that being said, I don't think I want to try to feature this hop in the dry hop when the time comes (about 10 days from now). So I genuinely would like to get some input on other hops that would go well with the base that I used on the hot side today which Ive used before and love it as a "base" NEIPA. Today's hops schedule was:

60min boil - Columbus (0.5oz)
5min boil - Columbus (0.25oz) + Citra (0.25oz)
Whirlpool (60 minutes total at 155 degrees F) - Idaho 7 (4.5oz), Citra (0.5oz)

I was intending on splitting the citra Whirlpool addition with citra / mandarin bavaria (0.25oz each) and then using citra / man bavaria in the dry hop with a 2:1 ratio of man bag/citra. But since the man bavaria didn't smell great, I didn't use it. So thats what Im working with from hop side hops. I love the nice depth/earth/dank/fresh hop that columbus brings to this hop schedule. Ive used this hot side regimen before and then went with citra/nelson on DH and it was awesome. Yeast I pitched is A24 Imperial Dry Hop. I have a big selection of hops available for dry hop, and don't care if it retains the orange forward theme I was originally going for.


Hops that I have available in addition to the other ones already listed: Galaxy, Simcoe, Mosaic, Riwaka (just got these today!), Nelson, Amarillo, Waimea, Vic Secret, Strata, Motueka (haven't used these yet), Centennial, Cashmere, and Huell Melon

So what would you think would play well with this hot side hop schedule in the dry hop? I could just go with what Ive done before with Citrus/Nelson in DH but just looking for a different set of eyes on this.

Is there really a benefit to a 60 min whirlpool?

 

[Noob_Brewer]

Is there really a benefit to a 60 min whirlpool?

Lol good question! Honestly, Im pretty new so Im not married to doing 60min WPs, but in my limited anecdotal experience with playing with this, I do the 60min WP with staggered additions because I simply liked it better than chucking it all in at once for either 60min or 30min. Ive done varying ways of this but honestly wasn't a "true" experiment because the comparisons are limited due to different hops used as well. Jannish's book kinda skirts around this issue by presenting some evidence that it could be potentially detrimental to the overall flavor (potential increase in DMS if boil was shorter) but then in the key findings suggested that late staggered WP additions might increase fruity and herbal (I think) flavors but this depends on hop variety too. So, I haven't read that book in a while to revisit this, but thats where I got the idea that I want to experiment with WP length and staggered/non-staggered additions.

 

[Jag75]

No way I'm doing a 60 min wp 20 min wp is about all I can stand lol

 

[BongoYodeler]

I have one I dry hopped a couple days ago and will be kegging tomorrow.
Citra, Mosaic, Strata, and El Dorado in a 2:2:2:1 proportion.
The pre-dry hop sample tasted quite good, and I'll taste another sample tomorrow during the kegging.

 

[Genuine]

One of my personal favorites so far have been Citra, Centennial, Mosiac, Amarillo and Idaho 7 hot side and Citra, Mosiac, Amarillo and Idaho 7 for the dry hop. Nice, clean, fruity with just a bit of dank.

 

[crusader1612]

i just did sorachi ace, sabro, nelson and citra.
should be interesting.

 

[jturman35]

Hey guys I kinda fell off the NEIPA train and been brewing W12, RIS, ESB’s but this is what I have on hand.

Should I try and blend these in some way or get some Citra and do a Citra/Cashmere or Citra/Strata combo? I have never used either of these and think they would pair well with Citra?

 

[Noob_Brewer]

Hey guys I kinda fell off the NEIPA train and been brewing W12, RIS, ESB’s but this is what I have on hand.

Should I try and blend these in some way or get some Citra and do a Citra/Cashmere or Citra/Strata combo? I have never used either of these and think they would pair well with Citra?

Citra - Idaho 7 - strata is a killer combination! I personally go heavy with idaho 7 in whirlpool and then mostly citra/strata in dry hop. For bittering - citra or idaho 7 will work. The idaho 7 (2019) that I have doesn't give as much black tea that others have mentioned but its more orange forward.

I think that @MrPowers did an all I7 and Strata combo and stated it was great too.

 

[MrPowers]

Citra - Idaho 7 - strata is a killer combination! I personally go heavy with idaho 7 in whirlpool and then mostly citra/strata in dry hop. For bittering - citra or idaho 7 will work. The idaho 7 (2019) that I have doesn't give as much black tea that others have mentioned but its more orange forward.

I think that @MrPowers did an all I7 and Strata combo and stated it was great too.

I’ve got a Strata/I7 NE DIPA on right now that is awesome!

I’ve also done a single hop I7 beer (heavy whirlpool) that was awesome too. The I7 I’ve had has been pretty much straight orange. Not much black tea/earth. If it’s on the tea/earthy end of the spectrum, I don’t think it could carry a single hop beer.

 

[robertkerr79]

I'm getting geared up for a Nectaron, Wai-iti and Enigma NEIPA. Someone give me a reason not to (other than none of the hops being from the US).

 

[Northern_Brewer]

(other than none of the hops being from the US).

By that logic, all India Pale Ales should only ever use British hops....

 

[crusader1612]

I'm getting geared up for a Nectaron, Wai-iti and Enigma NEIPA. Someone give me a reason not to (other than none of the hops being from the US).

Nectaron FTW.

Wai-iti I haven't used in any hoppy beers, but I say give it a crack, other wise swap it out for some Diesely Riwaka

 

[Jayjay1976]

Citra, mosaic, and galaxy in a 2:2:1 works for me. Juuuuicy..

I accidentally mashed real high and it turned out sweet, malty and hop-a-licious.

 

[Noob_Brewer]

So I have a full pound of nectaron and Im finally getting around to try it out. While I know that a single hopped beer is always best to get a feel for what a hop brings, Im wanting to brew a two-hop NEIPA with Nectaron. Here are my thoughts:

1) Columbus/Nectaron: Ive done columbus/galaxy before twice and LOVE it. It is trillium congress street style where more heavily weighted columbus on hot side and galaxy focused in fermentation. My thought is to sub out galaxy with nectaron all together. This is appealing to me because Im familiar with the columbus/galaxy combo and I even have one on tap now. So this would let me know what nectaron brings to the table.

2) Moutere/Nectaron: Haven't brewed with either hop ever! lol. But Im thinking using moutere in boil and some whirlpool but feature nectaron more in WP and DH. I have moutere in stock and descriptions appear to me that its a great bittering hop and also would compliment nectaron in general. This combo could be a fun experiment for me because Ive never had either.

Any thoughts on either of these combos? Of course, other combo suggestions with nectaron are appreciated. Ive seen peeps talk about nectaron/mosiac too and that sounds appealing. Bottom line, Id like to feature nectaron in my upcoming NEIPA but not do a single-hop beer right now.

TYIA!

 

[day_trippr]

Has anyone found a character profile plot for Nectaron - something that looks like this (El Dorado, in this example):

Cheers!

 

[couchsending]

So I have a full pound of nectaron and Im finally getting around to try it out. While I know that a single hopped beer is always best to get a feel for what a hop brings, Im wanting to brew a two-hop NEIPA with Nectaron. Here are my thoughts:

1) Columbus/Nectaron: Ive done columbus/galaxy before twice and LOVE it. It is trillium congress street style where more heavily weighted columbus on hot side and galaxy focused in fermentation. My thought is to sub out galaxy with nectaron all together. This is appealing to me because Im familiar with the columbus/galaxy combo and I even have one on tap now. So this would let me know what nectaron brings to the table.

2) Moutere/Nectaron: Haven't brewed with either hop ever! lol. But Im thinking using moutere in boil and some whirlpool but feature nectaron more in WP and DH. I have moutere in stock and descriptions appear to me that its a great bittering hop and also would compliment nectaron in general. This combo could be a fun experiment for me because Ive never had either.

Any thoughts on either of these combos? Of course, other combo suggestions with nectaron are appreciated. Ive seen peeps talk about nectaron/mosiac too and that sounds appealing. Bottom line, Id like to feature nectaron in my upcoming NEIPA but not do a single-hop beer right now.

TYIA!

I still haven’t used much of the 2020 crop I have but the 2019 stuff when it was 4337 was incredibly strong. It dominated everything and would stand out even as only a small percentage of a blend. Not in a bad way but it was easy to pick out.

I have a hard time describing the hop profile of Nectaron. It’s similar to Nelson and Enigma in that it has this “green fruit” aspect to it. Never had a Gooseberry but I’d imagine that’s what it might be like? I don’t get any if the Pineapple that the marketing literature says is there. One thing it doesn’t have is any of that typical diesel or machine oil that’s really pronounced in some Nelson and Riwaka. But it does have a decent amount of pine which is actually nice. Similar to Waimea in that way I guess. It’s a “full sister” to Waimea.

Personally I’d go the Moutere route. I’ve never used Moutere on it’s own but I think it would compliment Nectaron well. It has a bit of pine and this underlying hay/spice aspect that sounds bad but it’s not at all. It’s almost like a baking spice of some sort. Something similar to cinnamon or cardamom. I know it sounds weird or bad but it’s not at all. 9909 has this too.

Using the Moutere as you describe sounds like a good plan to me.

Actually brewing with a bit of Nectaron this morning. It’ll be mostly Southern Cross on the hotside with a bit of Nelson then DH with Nelson and Nectaron.

 

[Northern_Brewer]

It’ll be mostly Southern Cross on the hotside with a bit of Nelson then DH with Nelson and Nectaron.

I assume you've seen this Janish article where Southern Cross features heavily? It's notable for being the highest hop known for the apricoty ester 2MIB (2-methylbutyl isobutyrate) which has synergy with the Nelson thiol 3S4MP, so he used SX in the whirlpool followed by dryhopping with Nelson and a lager yeast.

 

[couchsending]

I assume you've seen this Janish article where Southern Cross features heavily? It's notable for being the highest hop known for the apricoty ester 2MIB (2-methylbutyl isobutyrate) which has synergy with the Nelson thiol 3S4MP, so he used SX in the whirlpool followed by dryhopping with Nelson and a lager yeast.

Yes I did see that. Also maybe the best known Nelson beer, Alpine Brewing’s “Nelson”, uses a lot of Southern Cross on the hotside.

 

[ScrewyBrewer]

In a 5-gallon batch Amarillo, Cascade, Citra and Simcoe make a fine combination when used for whirlpooling and dry hopping. At flameout target 70 IBUs in the kettle. Using half an ounce of Cascade and an ounce each of Amarillo, Cascade, Citra and Simcoe. Whirlpooling continuously until the wort cools to 170F. Then dry hop with an ounce of Amarillo and Simcoe and 4 ounces of Citra once the airlock slows to a bubble or two every 10 seconds. Tasty!

 

[JnLnNOVA]

i just did sorachi ace, sabro, nelson and citra.
should be interesting.

Curious how that worked out for you? I love S Ace in my Saisons but never thought to use it with those hops in a hazy NEIPA style. Mind sharing your hop additions?

 

[Noob_Brewer]

So I have a full pound of nectaron and Im finally getting around to try it out. While I know that a single hopped beer is always best to get a feel for what a hop brings, Im wanting to brew a two-hop NEIPA with Nectaron. Here are my thoughts:

1) Columbus/Nectaron: Ive done columbus/galaxy before twice and LOVE it. It is trillium congress street style where more heavily weighted columbus on hot side and galaxy focused in fermentation. My thought is to sub out galaxy with nectaron all together. This is appealing to me because Im familiar with the columbus/galaxy combo and I even have one on tap now. So this would let me know what nectaron brings to the table.

2) Moutere/Nectaron: Haven't brewed with either hop ever! lol. But Im thinking using moutere in boil and some whirlpool but feature nectaron more in WP and DH. I have moutere in stock and descriptions appear to me that its a great bittering hop and also would compliment nectaron in general. This combo could be a fun experiment for me because Ive never had either.

Any thoughts on either of these combos? Of course, other combo suggestions with nectaron are appreciated. Ive seen peeps talk about nectaron/mosiac too and that sounds appealing. Bottom line, Id like to feature nectaron in my upcoming NEIPA but not do a single-hop beer right now.

TYIA!

Just following up on this. I ended up going with moutere/nectaron combo. Just pulled the hydro sample pre-soft crash, pre-dry hop and this is smooth as silk passionfruit bomb with some nice peach/stone fruit. Used more moutere on hot side than nectaron but will be favoring the nectaron over the moutere in dry hop. But I think this will be great!. hydro sample is unbelievably smooth with nothing remotely close to diesel new zealand esque. Can't wait until I get to have the final product! Bad lighting on the pics. its nice and bright, just like the flavor.

 

[EvandroLS]

Whats up guys,

Been following this topic for a while

Here in Brazil is hard to get my hands on Nelson, but finally I managed to get some
Whats is the best Nelson centered combo I could brew?

I got some, Citra, Motueka, Amarillo, Simcoe, Eldorado, Azacca and Columbus right now

 

[MrPowers]

Whats up guys,

Been following this topic for a while

Here in Brazil is hard to get my hands on Nelson, but finally I managed to get some
Whats is the best Nelson centered combo I could brew?

I got some, Citra, Motueka, Amarillo, Simcoe, Eldorado, Azacca and Columbus right now

I had a Citra/Nelson double from WeldWerks/Casey (it was a collab) called Transmountain Diversion. It was phenomenal. One of the best IPA's I've ever had. That combo gets my vote.

I also brewed an El Dorado/Nelson session NEIPA (3.2%abv) and that combo worked nicely as well.

 

[EvandroLS]

Yeah bro
From what Ive been reading Nelson and Citra make a hell of combo
Considering that for sure
What ratio would be balanced?

 

[BongoYodeler]

I had a great neipa a couple days ago hopped with citra, galaxy, mosaic, and Nelson.

 

[MrPowers]

Yeah bro
From what Ive been reading Nelson and Citra make a hell of combo
Considering that for sure
What ratio would be balanced?

I would probably go heavier with citra late in the boil (if you do boil additions) and whirlpool and then go heavier on the nelson in the dry hop. Maybe 2:1 Citra in the whirlpool and 2:1 nelson in the dry hop.