Hops Direct just put up 2012 Crop

[PistolPete2]

I just ordered a lb. each of cascade, chinook, and wgv-uk. Avg. 18 dollars/lb. with shipping. Not bad at all.

 

[FATC1TY]

While I love Puterbaugh Farms/HD and have ordered many, many lbs of hops from them, this year with the "lottery mentality" has really turned me off. In years past, there was not this frenzy to order hops and you did not have to spend your day on line waiting for the opportunity to order. Curiously they are not offering imported pellet hops such as Nelson, Galaxy, etc. which they have in the past. I'm a big fan of the big 3 (Amarillo, Citra, Simcoe) but I also know that there are many other hops out there such as the Aussie & NZ hops as well as US hops designed to bridge the shortage (7C's, Falconers Flight, etc.) that are great hops in their own right.

I wont' lie.. I love me some of the big guys.. Amarillo is a weakness. I'd stuff my pockets with it to just smell it all day if I could.

But I used some 7C's in a nice sized IPA a few months ago, tossed in some cascade in the mix with it and it was one of the nicer beers I've made. Has all the qualities I love in an IPA. I wouldn't be upset if I had to use it in all my IPAs.

 

[Montanaandy]

I wont' lie.. I love me some of the big guys.. Amarillo is a weakness. I'd stuff my pockets with it to just smell it all day if I could.

But I used some 7C's in a nice sized IPA a few months ago, tossed in some cascade in the mix with it and it was one of the nicer beers I've made. Has all the qualities I love in an IPA. I wouldn't be upset if I had to use it in all my IPAs.

I too have made some really nice IIPA's using Falconers Flight, 7C's, Zythos, and these hops are readily available and reasonable so we use them quite a bit.

With Mosaic set to come online at least the Citra shortage should ease a bit hopefully.

I recall in years past that Puterbaugh/HD used to send out a "heads up" email that let you know when the hops were going to be available online. I didn't see that this year - maybe I overlooked it. That was how I was able to get in on the big 3 in years past.

Good to hear that the imported hops will be available later on but also a bit strange in that the Aussie/NZ harvest was a while ago I thought. I have been purchasing Nelson, Galaxy, etc. from other places for some time now unless they were 2011 crop.

 

[FATC1TY]

I too have made some really nice IIPA's using Falconers Flight, 7C's, Zythos, and these hops are readily available and reasonable so we use them quite a bit.

With Mosaic set to come online at least the Citra shortage should ease a bit hopefully.

I recall in years past that Puterbaugh/HD used to send out a "heads up" email that let you know when the hops were going to be available online. I didn't see that this year - maybe I overlooked it. That was how I was able to get in on the big 3 in years past.

Good to hear that the imported hops will be available later on but also a bit strange in that the Aussie/NZ harvest was a while ago I thought. I have been purchasing Nelson, Galaxy, etc. from other places for some time now unless they were 2011 crop.

Is mosaic similar to citra?? I heard it was more simcoe than anything. I'm tempted to get a pound of it.

 

[PseudoChef]

You might be right about Southern Hemi hops - I didn't factor that into my thoughts. English and Czech, I would assume, should be available shortly.

 

[Montanaandy]

Is mosaic similar to citra?? I heard it was more simcoe than anything. I'm tempted to get a pound of it.

My recollection was that Mosaic was described as "Citra on steroids" by a hop expert but I could be wrong. From what I remember reading,Mosaic should help with the Citra shortage but that Simcoe will be I short supply until the additional plantings mature enough to increase production.

 

[Montanaandy]

Nix what I just said about Mosaic. You are correct - it is a Simcoe/Nugget type of hop not Citra. I need to find the article on the article on the Citra sub which has the name of the new hop.

 

[Montanaandy]

Meridian is the name of the new hop that I was thinking of. Very Citra like according to reports.

 

[Dirty25]

I too have made some really nice IIPA's using Falconers Flight, 7C's, Zythos, and these hops are readily available and reasonable so we use them quite a bit.

With Mosaic set to come online at least the Citra shortage should ease a bit hopefully.

I recall in years past that Puterbaugh/HD used to send out a "heads up" email that let you know when the hops were going to be available online. I didn't see that this year - maybe I overlooked it. That was how I was able to get in on the big 3 in years past.

Good to hear that the imported hops will be available later on but also a bit strange in that the Aussie/NZ harvest was a while ago I thought. I have been purchasing Nelson, Galaxy, etc. from other places for some time now unless they were 2011 crop.

They posted a heads up on their Facebook page. With five minutes to sell out barely anyone ever had a chance...I hope label peelers pulls through wi my pre order.

 

[Crustovsky]

No EKG this year/yet??

Probably closer to January, no? Seem to recall that's about the time their imported pellets started showing up last year.

Edit: On the plus side, First Gold is available which I've heard great things about. Ordered a lb for experimenting with yesterday.

Meridian + Mosaic

Suddenly I'm excited. Anything else you know about these you can share?

 

[Cellarbrau]

The 2012 Imported Hops will be available in January I believe.

Mosaic, Meridian? Citra on steroids? How could it possibly have more fruit descriptors than Citra: "a very fruity citrus, peach, apricot, passion fruit, grapefruit, lime, melon, gooseberry, lychee fruit, pineapple, mango, and papaya, along with other..."

I remember trying a Citra IPA before it was really on the homebrewing radar and thinking how objectionable it was. Now it sells out faster than LMFAO tickets. Go firgure!

 

[Montanaandy]

The 2012 Imported Hops will be available in January I believe.

Mosaic, Meridian? Citra on steroids? How could it possibly have more fruit descriptors than Citra: "a very fruity citrus, peach, apricot, passion fruit, grapefruit, lime, melon, gooseberry, lychee fruit, pineapple, mango, and papaya, along with other..."

I remember trying a Citra IPA before it was really on the homebrewing radar and thinking how objectionable it was. Now it sells out faster than LMFAO tickets. Go firgure!

Yeah, hop popularity certainly can be a fickle thing.

I read an article recently that detailed how Simcoe was basically going to be phased out by the patent owners because they didn't believe that there was a market for it - that was until Vinnie C @ Russian River developed Pliny The Elder which used Simcoe in large measure and the IIPA craze took off. Now, trying to get Simcoe is like trying to get gasoline in the Mad Max movies

 

[Crustovsky]

There is no middle finger big enough.

 

[Montanaandy]

There is no middle finger big enough.

That sucks.

I believe that the solution is that we shift our focus as brewers to all of the other great hops that are out there and which are readily available. There are many really great alternatives to the Big 3 - numerous Aussie hops, numerous NZ hops, great hops designed to bridge the shortage such as Falconers Flight, Falconers 7C's, Zythos, tried and true greats such as Centennial, Columbus, Cascade, etc. We have been through hop shortages before and we will experience them again. The key is to adapt and to thrive.

 

[huntingohio]

I have had a timne locating EKG too, brambling cross will work for now.

 

[Montanaandy]

I have had a timne locating EKG too, brambling cross will work for now.

I believe John/Farmhouse has EKG but you will need to check.

 

[FATC1TY]

No offense, but why whine because you didn't plan to be fast enough?

I have never bought hops online until this year, and planned to pay attention to what was going on with HD's release. I knew from looking online people were stalking the site, and knew that from noon until 5, was "go time".

If you didn't make an account with HD and have it all saved, other than adding your CC number, then thats no ones fault. The staggered release does suck, don't get me wrong, but if you really want the hops then you'll eat the shipping price in the total cost. It's not HD's fault that they didn't get enough of the hops in. They have little control over that, and the demand this year for those hops.

Throw the middle finger up, I got a pound of Citra, and 2 pounds of Amarillo coming next week. I planned for it, and had some goodwill from my buddy who placed an order and knew I would love the extra Amarillo.

 

[iaefebs]

If you want these hops just wait, we have one vendor here that is just waiting to put these hops up for sale at $40 per lb.

 

[Montanaandy]

No offense, but why whine because you didn't plan to be fast enough?

I have never bought hops online until this year, and planned to pay attention to what was going on with HD's release. I knew from looking online people were stalking the site, and knew that from noon until 5, was "go time".

If you didn't make an account with HD and have it all saved, other than adding your CC number, then thats no ones fault. The staggered release does suck, don't get me wrong, but if you really want the hops then you'll eat the shipping price in the total cost. It's not HD's fault that they didn't get enough of the hops in. They have little control over that, and the demand this year for those hops.

Throw the middle finger up, I got a pound of Citra, and 2 pounds of Amarillo coming next week. I planned for it, and had some goodwill from my buddy who placed an order and knew I would love the extra Amarillo.

No offense, but when did purchasing hops morph into the equivalent of getting concert tickets? You talk about "people stalking the site" and "go time". Seriously?

Unlike you, I have been purchasing hops for years online and I have never experienced the "hoarding mentality" that we are seeing this year which you exemplify. Even in the years of the dire hop shortages I have never seen anything like this.

Frankly, to have a buddy place an order for you so that you can skirt the limitations that HD put into place so that everyone can get their fair share of scarce hop really sucks.

 

[BillBeer247]

If you want these hops just wait, we have one vendor here that is just waiting to put these hops up for sale at $40 per lb.

they should be banned for price gauging

 

[bob1852]

No offense, but when did purchasing hops morph into the equivalent of getting concert tickets? You talk about "people stalking the site" and "go time". Seriously?

Unlike you, I have been purchasing hops for years online and I have never experienced the "hoarding mentality" that we are seeing this year which you exemplify. Even in the years of the dire hop shortages I have never seen anything like this.

Frankly, to have a buddy place an order for you so that you can skirt the limitations that HD put into place so that everyone can get their fair share of scarce hop really sucks.

Just another sign this hobby has gone hipster. Controlled hop releases that sell out in minutes, NHC that sells out in a couple days (even though dozens/hundreds later sold their tickets), etc....

 

[FATC1TY]

No offense, but when did purchasing hops morph into the equivalent of getting concert tickets? You talk about "people stalking the site" and "go time". Seriously?

Unlike you, I have been purchasing hops for years online and I have never experienced the "hoarding mentality" that we are seeing this year which you exemplify. Even in the years of the dire hop shortages I have never seen anything like this.

Frankly, to have a buddy place an order for you so that you can skirt the limitations that HD put into place so that everyone can get their fair share of scarce hop really sucks.

Stalking? Go read their facebook and their twitter, or better yet, go look at other beer/homebrew sites and see the sheer amount of people who were looking forward to the release. People even here were talking about refreshing their browser waiting for them to release.

And to have a buddy place an order? He knows I love Amarillo. I have a "house" IPA that I brew thats mostly Amarillo. He ordered it because he could, and did so for me. He wanted some Chinook and Belma, and Amarillo was up still. Hoarding? So buying in bulk once a year is hoarding all of a sudden when you get nothing?

You sound the like rest of the bitter babies who missed out.. It's in high demand, and supply can't keep up.. Get over it!

 

[FATC1TY]

Just another sign this hobby has gone hipster. Controlled hop releases that sell out in minutes, NHC that sells out in a couple days (even though dozens/hundreds later sold their tickets), etc....

Don't forget people selling their GABF tickets to random people despite having the credentials for the special days/meetings!

 

[Montanaandy]

Stalking? Go read their facebook and their twitter, or better yet, go look at other beer/homebrew sites and see the sheer amount of people who were looking forward to the release. People even here were talking about refreshing their browser waiting for them to release.

And to have a buddy place an order? He knows I love Amarillo. I have a "house" IPA that I brew thats mostly Amarillo. He ordered it because he could, and did so for me. He wanted some Chinook and Belma, and Amarillo was up still. Hoarding? So buying in bulk once a year is hoarding all of a sudden when you get nothing?

You sound the like rest of the bitter babies who missed out.. It's in high demand, and supply can't keep up.. Get over it!

You obviously don't "get it" based on your twisted response.

1st off - I do indeed "get it" - I am well aware of the shortage of the Big 3 because of the contracts that micros have - first in line and the remainder to homebrewers which is very little. This is why what little remains needs to be made available to as many brewers as possible.

2nd, nice try at justifying your hoarding ("House IPA"- please) but it is hoarding plain and simple. HD limits purchases to 1 lb per person/order specifically so more brewers have access to scarce hops - otherwise people would purchase multiple lbs and deplete the supply, thus the limits. Why do you think the limits are in place? Your end around this via a friend purchasing scarce hops that he will in turn sell/give to you does not justify this practice. It is still hoarding.

In terms of being a "bitter baby" - I have access to 40lb+ contract bricks of the Big 3 via local micro contracts so I have not "missed out" on anything. I was merely commenting on what I view as a degeneration of the homebrew community where individuals such as yourself game the system in order to stockpile the hops that are scarce/popular while depriving other brewers.

These hop shortages are cyclical and this is a temporary situation. There will be a ton of the Big 3 available in another year but the irony is that there will be newer cultivars on the scene that will take the brewing world by storm and there will be shortages and we will be repeating this scenario once again...

 

[FATC1TY]

Ohhhhh.. so now your not upset, because you have access to contract bricks, thats understandable. How awesome you are!

I appreciate the thinly veiled attack.. I'll keep "hoarding", while others keep crying then!

 

[Montanaandy]

Just another sign this hobby has gone hipster. Controlled hop releases that sell out in minutes, NHC that sells out in a couple days (even though dozens/hundreds later sold their tickets), etc....

You are spot on (although I don't know if I would term things going "hipster" - more like going corporate/mainstream) The GABF ticket snafu was a big topic of discussion among those in the brewing world when I was attending the 2012 GABF.

The fact of the matter is that this little hobby of our has become very popular + big business in the span of a few years...

 

[bob1852]

You are spot on (although I don't know if I would term things going "hipster" - more like going corporate/mainstream) The GABF ticket snafu was a big topic of discussion among those in the brewing world when I was attending the 2012 GABF.

The fact of the matter is that this little hobby of our has become very popular + big business in the span of a few years...

Yeah, it all just feeds into that "must have now" mentality. Similar to iPhone mania.

I plan my brews well enough ahead that I haven't been affected by what appears to be a perennial hop shortage. If I can't get a hop, I'm not gonna fret it. I buy in bulk when it works, but I'm not sitting on line refreshing some web page every ten seconds so I can get in on some deal like a stock day trader. It's fecking homebrew. If I can't get amarillo, I'll use something else or brew something else.

I'm more pissed when commercial breweries substitute hops but still package and sell under the same name.

I won't support the hype. For instance when NHC sold ~80% of their tickets in one day I just decided I wouldn't go. I wasn't in a position to plan a multi thousand dollar trip on such short notice. I refuse to play the "buy now or you'll never get it" games. Hell, how many threads were on here days before NHC trying to off load tickets because too many people panic bought. Lame.

I'm sure 2012 amarillo will be around again. Maybe not from hops direct, and maybe a hit more $$. But I won't support the stupid hype.

 

[shoreman]

That's kind of lame of people are hoarding these hops - I generally will just brew with what's available that year when I log on- for instance last year it was cascade (underrated btw), super galena & us tettnanger - filled any style, any country.

This year it was belma and fuggles still have galena left over

It makes it interesting year to year. I've used Amarillo and it didn't much more than cascade in my pale ales.

 

[Crustovsky]

cascade (underrated btw)

Erm, I don't think cascades qualify as an under-rated hop. I mean, how many breweries have a flagship pale ale in the SNPA vein (ie: all cascade, all the time)?

I do agree a lot of people probably over-react a bit on hops like Amarillo, especially with Cascade and Centennial still available in this case. I know more than a few people who swear by hops like Amarillo but probably wouldn't notice a substitution for another "super-cascade" type hop. Unique hops like Citra I understand a bit more though. Also, might I just add it's incredibly frustrating when you're working towards going pro and you have to constantly deal with an inability to get certain hops. Makes recipe formulation an incredible hassle. Has it's benefits mind you as a learning experience, but still.

 

[Montanaandy]

It will be interesting to see where things are at in a few years from now and whether the IIPA craze continues. Will brewers keep ratcheting things up with the new, often more intense hops that are on the horizon and will the public still be interested or will there be palate fatigue?

At 2012 GABF, the sours and barrel aged beers were all the rage among attendees and as we know that style is influenced by yeast cultures (brett, lacto, etc.), fermentation (wine barrel, bourbon barrel, etc.) and not hops. Cambridge, Crooked Stave, Funkwerks were where a lot of the action was at this year. They are all producing some amazing beer.