Hop Advice for a blonde ale.

[travlinScott]

Hey guys - I'm pretty new to home brewing and I need some advice on hop selection. I'm looking at doing kind of a standard blonde ale, but I want the hop to be VERY subdued. I want a nice bitterness up front but otherwise I'd like the hops in the back ground.

I was thinking to stick with one variety of hop to keep it simple.

Can anyone recommend a nice subtle hop and maybe suggest a simple schedule that will help me keep the taste nice and clean.

I appreciate any information you guys might be able to provide.

Thanks

 

[Shaneoco1981]

Cascade is always a nice hop. Low on Alpha Acids so the IBU will stay low if you keep the amount low enough. In a wheat beer I do regularly, I use just over an ounce of Williamette at 60 min and that's it. In a saison I do, I use just over an ounce of Styrian Golding at once again, 60 min. It really depends on what kind of blond you are making. What kind of hop flavor do you want? Do you want a citrusy flavor or some more earthy tone. Give us what you have as a recipe so far and we will give you some good recommendations.

 

[Jaybird]

Willamette for 60 and nothing else. I love that hop in a blonde ale. typically an aroma hop but works well in light beers for that "is there hops in this beer" kind of bitterness.

Just my .02
Cheers
Jay

 

[Cambone]

Willamette for 60 and nothing else. I love that hop in a blonde ale. typically an aroma hop but works well in light beers for that "is there hops in this beer" kind of bitterness.

Just my .02
Cheers
Jay

I will second the Willamette. It is phenomenal in a blonde, very subtle as it should be. One addition at 60min. only and shoot for ~20-25 IBUs.

 

[travlinScott]

So how much Willamette do you think? An ounce? Thanks for the suggestions guys. I appreciate it.

 

[travlinScott]

)

 

[Jaybird]

So how much Willamette do you think? An ounce? Thanks for the suggestions guys. I appreciate it.

I would (and do) shoot for the low 20's. How much is going to depend on a few things... Full boil, OG etc...
Cheers
Jay

 

[BradleyBrew]

I would (and do) shoot for the low 20's. How much is going to depend on a few things... Full boil, OG etc...
Cheers
Jay

+1

Just made a blonde Ale in the mid 20's but added 4 oz of Citra at the 10 mins and flame-out. Outside of the style guidelines but I bet it will be tasty .

 

[Cambone]

So how much Willamette do you think? An ounce? Thanks for the suggestions guys. I appreciate it.

We need to know your batch size, boil size et cetera, thats why I suggested a generic 20-25IBUs. But, assuming a 7 gallon boil, and 5.5g into the fermenter, 1 oz. should do.

 

[alestateyall]

Use a calculator like this:
http://www.tastybrew.com/calculators/bitterness.html

or mobile version:

http://tastybrew.mobify.me/calculators/bitterness.html

You need your predicted gravity, batch size, and the AA% of your hops. Add hops at 60 or 45 minutes. 45 will give a slight flavor, 60 is pure bitterness.

Target a IBU/OG ratio of 0.4-0.5. I like my blondes at about 0.5. But I may like more bitterness than you. You will have to experiment.

 

[travlinScott]

We need to know your batch size, boil size et cetera, thats why I suggested a generic 20-25IBUs. But, assuming a 7 gallon boil, and 5.5g into the fermenter, 1 oz. should do.

I'm shooting for a 5 gallon batch, so probably 6 to 6.5 in the boil. All very new to me, so I don't yet know how much I don't know.... ya know?

This is all good information though so thanks to everyone for their input.

 

[Sarge]

If you haven't started your recipe I would give BierMunchers Centennial Blonde a try. I have made it several times and it has been awesome. If you have a recipe you can look at his hop schedule play with it to fit your recipe.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f66/centennial-blonde-simple-4-all-grain-5-10-gall-42841/

 

[travlinScott]

Use a calculator like this:
http://www.tastybrew.com/calculators/bitterness.html

or mobile version:

http://tastybrew.mobify.me/calculators/bitterness.html

You need your predicted gravity, batch size, and the AA% of your hops. Add hops at 60 or 45 minutes. 45 will give a slight flavor, 60 is pure bitterness.

Target a IBU/OG ratio of 0.4-0.5. I like my blondes at about 0.5. But I may like more bitterness than you. You will have to experiment.

Thanks!