HELP I need to brew something with these mystery Hops

[jdraker62]

Ok, I live in the TriCities in WA state and a buddy of mine lives by a hop farm. On Tuesday out of the blue he gave me a plastic shopping bag full of fresh hops. Now he didn't bother to look to see what kind they are so I am flying blind here. I feel as though I need to make a fresh hopped ale just have no idea of recipe or quantity. I don't want these to go to waste. Currently they are talking to the kegs. Please help.

 

[mattmeiske12]

How much do you have of them? Can't really go wrong with a pale ale or an IPA and test them out, see what kind of aroma and flavor they give off.

 

[Shred]

What sort of aromas can you pick out? It's tough to build a recipe without knowing the alpha acids.

 

[stpug]

I'd say use something commercial for a bitter addition, and blow through most of your grocery sack of hops in late additions (15 minutes and less). Aim for a pale ale back with simple grainbill, and let the hops do the talking. Assume 4-6 oz of fresh to 1 oz dry so don't be afraid to go crazy with them. As long as your grainbill and bitter addition are decent, the worst thing you'll make is a good pale ale

...or dry them, and once dry, crush up a couple really well and get a good whiff. Try to decide what you think they are and go from there. I mention drying them first because in my experience I've found the aromas to vary quite a bit more once dried.

 

[IslandLizard]

Boil/steep a few flowers in some water or wort and smell what she gives you. You can probably estimate her bittering properties too.