Hop candy

[Yooper]

Brewing conventions sound like fun. I didn't even know that was a thing!

And it's at your back door in 2013!

In 2014, it's in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

And it's strange, but it really does seem to be that brewing is a small world. It seems like many of us have met or know "friends of friends". There are a lot of contacts in brewing.

 

[Felixio]

Like was mentioned, Scott down at Defalco's said they carbonate pint bottles perfectly.

What would be the process here? Crush and dissolve into water, then add at bottling time? Or would they toss a whole candy into a bottle of the appropriate size?

 

[B-Hoppy]

I can't remember if he said or not but I'm sure that if you call down there they'd be glad to tell you, great folks!
He actually did say that one candy did up a small 'better beer bottle'? just fine ~ pretty sure those are 16 ounce bottles.

Found it:


By the way, Bob. We tried an experiment recently that was a lot of fun. I had a Texas Brown Ale (hoppy brown), and we decided to bottle 4 EZ Cap half liter bottles. We tossed a Cooper's Carbonation drop plus around 1/4 tsp of corn sugar in one bottle as a control sample, and one each of the Cascades, Fuggles, and East Kent Goldings hop candy in the bottom of the other three bottles. The beers carbonated perfectly and you can tell a noticeable if still somewhat subtle difference between the four bottles. Thought you'd like to know.

Scott Birdwell
DeFalco's Home Wine & Beer Supplies

 

[half_whit]

And it's at your back door in 2013!

In 2014, it's in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

And it's strange, but it really does seem to be that brewing is a small world. It seems like many of us have met or know "friends of friends". There are a lot of contacts in brewing.

Details please! And my madre lives in Michigan...perfect! Is homebrewing part of the "Up North way"?

 

[Yooper]

Details please! And my madre lives in Michigan...perfect! Is homebrewing part of the "Up North way"?

I don't really know of much of a brewing culture where I live- that's why I am always on the internet- but in the southern Michigan area I know there are lots of brew clubs and activity.

The NHC is a yearly conference that sells out in a day. Tickets go on sale in February and the conference is in June. It runs Thursday-Saturday with seminars and events, but there are also pre-conference events on Wednesday as well as the national homebrew competition finals.

In 2014, it's at the DeVos Center in Grand Rapids.

 

[FarmerTed]

I can't remember if he said or not but I'm sure that if you call down there they'd be glad to tell you, great folks!
He actually did say that one candy did up a small 'better beer bottle'? just fine ~ pretty sure those are 16 ounce bottles.

It's funny, cuz I was going to ask if you could bottle condition with the candies. I've done a few one off experiments with conditioning with things like root beer, cola, and cherry concentrate, but the candies could be perfect. I guess they're just sugar, and there's no gelatin or anything like that in there? I'll probably give it a go on my next bottling with one or two.

 

[B-Hoppy]

FarmerTed,

The individual candies weigh between 5-6 grams each if that helps and they're 100% fermentable. An acquaintance who runs Fort St. Brewery up near Detroit Keg-Carbed a couple different sixtels with the different varieties of candy and another brewer I'm friends with over in Slippery Rock, PA (North Country) used a few pounds late in the kettle on a Belgian IPA they made. I should start keeping track! Keep us posted and Happy Experimenting!

 

[B-Hoppy]

I've had the EKG and the cascade. Iliked them both, but the cascade a little more. I'd definitely be interested in Hersbrucker, and would pay double for amarillo.

Sorry, no Hersbrucker or Amarillo but there are a few new ones: https://leadersbeverage.com/product-category/hop-candy/. It still amazes me as to the unique flavors that come through in the high/super-alpha varieties. Did some trials with First Gold. . . cloves!!!

 

[FarmerTed]

Sorry, no Hersbrucker or Amarillo but there are a few new ones: https://leadersbeverage.com/product-category/hop-candy/. It still amazes me as to the unique flavors that come through in the high/super-alpha varieties. Did some trials with First Gold. . . cloves!!!

Thanks, I just put in an order. I've never brewed with Apollo before, but I'm gonna get to eat some candy made with it, lol.

 

[Leaders_Beverage]

FarmerTed,
We just got an order that includes some Apollo hop candy. Man this stuff is good! If you ordered from https://leadersbeverage.com then I can tell you your order will be going out first thing in the morning. We're excited to hear how you compare the candy to the hop in your brew.

Bob,
Thanks for the link shout out and you know we'll take some of that First Gold when it is ready.

 

[B-Hoppy]

Thanks, I just put in an order. I've never brewed with Apollo before, but I'm gonna get to eat some candy made with it, lol.

Thanks for the support and I hope you like it. Apollo seems to be one of the new candy varieties that's getting really good reviews, taste is very subjective though!

As for brewing with them, I was able to attend the Midwest District MBAA meeting last weekend which was all about hops. Two of the presenters I spoke with confirmed that using many of the high/super-alpha varieties to dry hop with is becoming a pretty common practice in the industry. When Columbus CTZ first came out (developed for it's high alpha), lots of brewers started using it as a late kettle or dry hop for the aroma. No reason why any of the other fine smelling big girls can't be used in the same way! Thanks again!

 

[FarmerTed]

Thanks, got the candy today, and tried a nugget. It was good. Have fun in KY.

 

[B-Hoppy]

I appreciate the help! Hoppy Trails~