Fuggles flavor

[shanman75]

We've recently made a few batches of SMaSH brews with Fuggles hops in trying to make an English-style brew.

I'm not sure if I really like the end result. Some say Fuggles tastes "earthy". I'm not sure how I'd describe the smell/taste, but it's certainly different than what I expected.

Does anyone know of a readily available commercial brew that has Fuggles as its primary flavoring hop? I'd like to compare.

 

[Dick562]

tag

 

[borealis]

Shipyard IPA is all fuggles. It's from Maine though, so not sure if you'll be able to get it.

 

[OLDBREW]

there is a difference between UK fuggles and domestic fuggles.

Domestic fuggles are more on the lnes you describe (Mild, woody and fruity)earthy

UK fuggles are different
Aroma - mild, pleasant, hoppy
Typical brewing use - All English-style Ales, ESB, Bitter, Lager, & Lambic

UK origin doesn't have the earthy/woody flavor imho

If our hops get old they put more of that dirt flavor forward

try some english fuggles if you can get them, and see what you think

 

[shanman75]

Yeah, I found Shipyard IPA while googling, but haven't found it locally.

The hop bag reads UK Fuggle, so I'm pretty sure they came from UK. I wonder if they actually did get old, though. You can never tell how long hops stay is in a LHBS chiller.

I just cracked another brew I made with 'em. It was intended to be a Ginger Beer utilizing the same hops. It has the same detectable flavor.

Ergs!

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

I have used Fuggles a couple times recently, but none of those beers are ready to drink yet. I love the aroma of them though. I can't wait to see how the beers come out.

 

[Yooper]

I know a fellow brewer that LOVES fuggles. To me, they taste like dirt. Oh, I know "earthy" is how they are described, but to me they taste like someone added dirt to my fermenter in a large quantity. Is that what you're getting?

 

[ChshreCat]

I like fuggles and use them as the sole hop in a couple of my beers, but the latest I add them is 15 minutes. Not a lot of aroma and just a bit of flavor from them.

 

[sakeyfour]

I love Shipyard Fuggles. I make a clone that uses all Fuggles as well. I have made it several times. I even tried dry hopping with Fuggles last time. Fuggles is one of my favorite hops. I do not taste dirt. I do understand the "earthy" tones though. I also like sayign and writing FUGGLES.

 

[RugenBrau]

I love US fuggles in Brown Ales. I just brewed today using the English Fuggles

 

[bierhaus15]

Fuggles is the shindizzle. Dirt, earthy, woody, whatever you want to call em, they are great. Sad is the English brown ale brewed without them...

 

[ReverseApacheMaster]

I don't taste dirt. I do taste sort of a mild vegetal flavor. They are good in a lot of English style beers. I also have used them in several Belgian beers. I don't like hoppy beers so I don't know how it tastes in larger quantities but I enjoy the bitterness without adding citrus/pine/etc. flavors to the beer.

 

[shanman75]

I've heard many people say...you either like Fuggles, or ya don't. Same with Northern Brewer hops.

Shipyard's IPA gets pretty mixed reviews...mostly negative, and I cannot get Shipyard IPA in Texas from what I can see, so I plan on giving Fuggles another shake with a smaller ~2 gallon single-hop batch.

I think I cold get used to the front flavor. I just don't like the lingering after-taste that reminds me of fish gone bad.

First brews were with Safale S-04. Next one will be with Wyeast 1388 (Belgian Strong Ale)