ELLA hops

[chefjrd]

Hey everyone, I've got some Ella hops in recently and am thinking about making an ipa/apa with them. After a bunch of research, it doesn't seem to be a popular hop as of yet, and there's not a lot of posted experience with them. Anyone here have some experience with these hops? The descriptors from websites sound pretty good, floral/spicy in smaller amounts and getting fruity in higher amounts. I'm probably going to experiment with them soon, but I'd like anyone's input who's used them before so I can get a feel for them.

 

[chefjrd]

No one, huh? Well, maybe I'll post my results after making and testing. Care to share your recipes for a good hop taste test beer?

 

[MrHopScotch]

I used some in a hefewizen but the yeast obviously covered them up so I'm afraid I can't help you there. If you really want to get a feel for them you could always do a smash.

 

[chefjrd]

Just a quick update, I did a simple 2 gallon almost SMaSH IPA to test these out. I used only the Ella for hops, both bittering and flavor/aroma. I just took a gravity sample and it's about done fermenting and the sample tasted great! A lot of mango, passion/juicy fruit flavors come through without much of the spicy. It's still green, and I added dry hops for a five day addition. I'll report back with another taste review once it's kegged. So far, I recommend Ella if you're into the fruity citrus hops, and I am. It's currently just a tad bit more bitter than I'd like, as I'm not a huge bitter fan, but I can just adjust the bittering addition for the future. It could just be the greenness of it too. We'll see!

 

[daksin]

Sweet- sounds good! Pics?

 

[chefjrd]

Thanks! I'll post some up when I keg it on Monday or Tuesday. [emoji106]🏻

 

[chefjrd]

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1462582024.740306.jpg

I took and chilled a small sample. It's been dry hopping for a day now. I'm getting lots of mango aroma and fruit flavor.

 

[MrHopScotch]

Awesome, thanks for following up!

 

[specharka]

I made a 2-hop Northeast IPA with Ella and Columbus and it was wonderful. Lots of pineapple and stone fruit came through. Not much in the way of dank or resinous overtones. I was really pleased with how well it plays with Conan yeast.

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1462743435.486184.jpg

 

[chefjrd]

Sounds good. I am hearing lots of good things about Conan and getting hop flavors through. I will have to try it. Thanks for the info!

 

[DemonsRun]

I've done a cream ale with ella a few times and it always disappears fast.

 

[David_Trucks]

Pelican Brewery out of Pacific City, OR makes an IPA using the Ella hop. It's called Umbrella IPA and it's pretty damn good.