Hops Direct just put up 2012 Crop

[shoreman]

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.

I guess I should have said underutilized in homebrewing as you duly pointed out.

as a homebrewer that has no interest in going pro I love to tweak recipes based on available materials - harks a little bit more to olden days. If EKG had a bad year but fuggles did really well they'd shift recipes check out http://barclayperkins.blogspot.com

 

[stompbox]

I have to laugh at the hoarding. If i recall correctly there were several ads on here even with people selling 10+ lbs of simcoe for about 25bucks plus shipping around august and september. How do you accidentally buy an extra 10+ pounds?

And then why do people buy them at high prices at 10 months old whrn the alpha acids are compromised?

Supply and demand is a crazy game.

 

[huntingohio]

I find it funny that everyone is going nuts over 2 hops that really only can be used in IPAs. I have smelled and felt whole leaf citra ans wasnt very impressed, it wasnt bad just kind meh. I guess it has to do with people trying to make hoppier and hoppier IPAs. I cant wait for this trend to die, IPAs really arent that good of a beer, They have an extremely bitter taste that covers up what could be good malt and roasty flavors. Maybe its just me but even if it has a nice perfume, the tounge numbing bitterness is a let down.It is just a fad and this too will pass hopefully.

MY 2c on it, if you missed out on citra and ammarillo oh well, your not missing out on much but an over hopped ipa, the same kind every "craft" brewer is churning out to please the masses that "love" that hop flavor.

 

[dbrewski]

I find it funny that everyone is going nuts over 2 hops that really only can be used in IPAs. I have smelled and felt whole leaf citra ans wasnt very impressed, it wasnt bad just kind meh. I guess it has to do with people trying to make hoppier and hoppier IPAs. I cant wait for this trend to die, IPAs really arent that good of a beer, They have an extremely bitter taste that covers up what could be good malt and roasty flavors. Maybe its just me but even if it has a nice perfume, the tounge numbing bitterness is a let down.It is just a fad and this too will pass hopefully.

MY 2c on it, if you missed out on citra and ammarillo oh well, your not missing out on much but an over hopped ipa, the same kind every "craft" brewer is churning out to please the masses that "love" that hop flavor.

Says the guy with only mead on tap.

I kid! I kid!

 

[huntingohio]

Says the guy with only mead on tap.

I kid! I kid!

I didnt update yet but last night, I knocked togather what was supposed to be an irish red, but it came out deep brown, I think the recipie I poached from beersmith was a bunch of ca-ca. Tasted good though for unfermented wort.

I'm knocking togather a braggot or graff tonight [prolly graff if i can decide between brambling cross or cascade].

I brew in samll batches so its hard to keep updated as I can brew 1-3 times a week depending on time

btw mead tastes better on most days

 

[shoreman]

IPAs are just a gateway to appreciating the more subtle styles and flavors of beer. Most people are enticed by the citrus and tropical flavors of new wave IPAs but at some point you get bored with those flavors luckily there are porters, stouts, milds, lagers, etc

I went full circle and got back into IPAs a few years back but unless the beer is a seasonal or at a brewpub or clearly marked fresh I'm not paying $15 no matter how hyped it is.

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

I find it funny that everyone is going nuts over 2 hops that really only can be used in IPAs. I have smelled and felt whole leaf citra ans wasnt very impressed, it wasnt bad just kind meh. I guess it has to do with people trying to make hoppier and hoppier IPAs. I cant wait for this trend to die, IPAs really arent that good of a beer, They have an extremely bitter taste that covers up what could be good malt and roasty flavors. Maybe its just me but even if it has a nice perfume, the tounge numbing bitterness is a let down.It is just a fad and this too will pass hopefully.

MY 2c on it, if you missed out on citra and ammarillo oh well, your not missing out on much but an over hopped ipa, the same kind every "craft" brewer is churning out to please the masses that "love" that hop flavor.

I think that's a little shortsighted. I love Amarillo and rarely make IPA's. I like hop forward beers and don't really care for malt forward styles. Not a fad, just my preference. Obviously not yours, but I get irritated by the too cool for school crowd that have declared hoppy beers over and anyone who still likes them is just a mindless fad chaser.

My Amarillo beers are a Gumballhead that I always have to keep on tap and I've done a pale ale SMASH with Maris Otter-Amarillo. Both are/were fantastic. I was fortunate to get a pound from Farmhouse and am glad I jumped on it given how quick they disappeared at hops direct this year. The limited availability will just mean I'll have to ration my Amarillo to keep the Gumballhead going for my guests and it's an opportunity to explore some other hops for my other beers.

 

[TNGabe]

Ipa schmipa. Can't wait to brew a gumballhead clone, harvest dance knock off, biere de mars, and saison/farmhouse ales with citra, Amarillo, and/or Belma.

 

[shoreman]

Ipa schmipa. Can't wait to brew a gumballhead clone, harvest dance knock off, biere de mars, and saison/farmhouse ales with citra, Amarillo, and/or Belma.

I just finished brewing a Belgian Bitter with Belma/Cascade and Chouffe yeast today - looking forward to this hop in Belgian styled beers.

 

[huntingohio]

I can see the hops being good used in proportion in something like a pale ale, it might be good. I'm not against hop forward beers, I'm against beers that are ALL hops. If I can detect no taste other than bitter I hate it. I buy craft beers often and the new style of all hops and no character is just plain gross. I dont mind an agressive hop bite on the start but I should be able to taste something after that, not just have my tounge numbed.
It's really akin to college kids trying to see who can get the drunkest. Eventually someone is going to release a beer thats 3/4 of a bottle full of hops 1/4 beer.

If you dont think its a fad walk into your favorite craft brew store and count the ipa percentage, I went looking recently and my favorite store now carries over 64% ipas. Its stunning, and even brews labeled stouts or porters taste like an ipa with food coloring added. Now add to that all the shirts and gear that are being sold saying crap like "hop head", it most definately is a trend. It's litterally like the breweries are sitting around trying to figure out how much more hop they can pack into a beer, so they can be trendy and the guy trying to be cool and hip to the beer scene will buy their beer. ugh I wash my hands of it, hopefully the next fad isnt as bitter as raw garlic.

 

[dbrewski]

I think that's a little shortsighted. I love Amarillo and rarely make IPA's. I like hop forward beers and don't really care for malt forward styles. Not a fad, just my preference. Obviously not yours, but I get irritated by the too cool for school crowd that have declared hoppy beers over and anyone who still likes them is just a mindless fad chaser.

My Amarillo beers are a Gumballhead that I always have to keep on tap and I've done a pale ale SMASH with Maris Otter-Amarillo. Both are/were fantastic. I was fortunate to get a pound from Farmhouse and am glad I jumped on it given how quick they disappeared at hops direct this year. The limited availability will just mean I'll have to ration my Amarillo to keep the Gumballhead going for my guests and it's an opportunity to explore some other hops for my other beers.

I agree with your view. Also, I want to come to your house and drink your beer.

 

[Crustovsky]

[blah blah blah IPA fad]

Oh give it a rest. Things get popular, deal with it. It's like listening to someone complain about how malbec is the new popular wine choice right now; yea it's a fair observation but you make it sound like people only drink it to be cool or something. Maybe people just genuinely LIKE those flavours?

Reminds me of some hipster I heard babbling the other day about how IPA is getting too mainstream. Just hush and go drink your PBR in peace (that guy, not you). I eagerly await in a year or two when people start complaining about sour beers getting too popular too.

Edit: Oh right, and +1 on this actually:

Ipa schmipa. Can't wait to brew a... biere de mars, and saison/farmhouse ales with citra, Amarillo, and/or Belma.

Honestly, I think Belgian and French beers are better suited for hops like citra, nelson sauvin, galaxy, etc. more so than really massive IPAs.

 

[Yooper]

If you dont think its a fad walk into your favorite craft brew store and count the ipa percentage, I went looking recently and my favorite store now carries over 64% ipas. Its stunning, and even brews labeled stouts or porters taste like an ipa with food coloring added. Now add to that all the shirts and gear that are being sold saying crap like "hop head", it most definately is a trend. It's litterally like the breweries are sitting around trying to figure out how much more hop they can pack into a beer, so they can be trendy and the guy trying to be cool and hip to the beer scene will buy their beer. ugh I wash my hands of it, hopefully the next fad isnt as bitter as raw garlic.

Oh, you caught me! I only buy amarillo, simcoe, centennial, and cascade by the pound(s) is so I can hope that you think I'm trendy!

I only brew 130 batches of IPA a year so you'll be impressed! That's it.

It's NOT because I love hoppy beers and many others do too. It's so extraordinarily ignorant people can be so much cooler than me by declaring my preferences a "fad" and "crap saying hop head" and a "trend". Interestingly, I don't like super-bitter beers, but instead a hop forward beer with lots of hops flavor and aroma with just enough bitterness to balance the malt.

You caught me. I confess.

Or, get your head out of wherever it is, and consider something shocking: your store has "over 64% IPAs" because that is what it is selling. Of course, you are convinced it's so hipsters can be cool, but people who know beer may simply enjoy the flavor and hops. Really.

 

[FATC1TY]

A Saison with Amarillo and Citra is AWESOME. The fruit with a spicy twist to it from the yeast is just refreshing.

I like IPA's so I go through a bunch of hops regularly. I keep a stock house ipa on draft that I end up brewing usually once a month, thats mostly Amarillo, has a little magnum in there, and dry hopped with amarillo and cascade.

BTW, good call on the sours being popular. If you notice alot of places are coming out with sours and people are actually enjoying them once they get past the whole "eeekk" factor about it being soured on purpose.

BTW, isn't being hipster really to repulse whatever is popular? I have no idea if it is or not, but I know those granola eatin' weirdos like to go against the grain.. Wouldn't they hate IPA's then?

 

[sudsmcgee]

I think that's a little shortsighted. I love Amarillo and rarely make IPA's. I like hop forward beers and don't really care for malt forward styles. Not a fad, just my preference. Obviously not yours, but I get irritated by the too cool for school crowd that have declared hoppy beers over and anyone who still likes them is just a mindless fad chaser.

My Amarillo beers are a Gumballhead that I always have to keep on tap and I've done a pale ale SMASH with Maris Otter-Amarillo. Both are/were fantastic. I was fortunate to get a pound from Farmhouse and am glad I jumped on it given how quick they disappeared at hops direct this year. The limited availability will just mean I'll have to ration my Amarillo to keep the Gumballhead going for my guests and it's an opportunity to explore some other hops for my other beers.

Care to share your amarillo recipes? I have some that I've been meaning to use.

 

[jtejedor]

I gotta say I have to kind of agree with the comment about hoppy stouts and porters. I have had a few lately that were way too hoppy. I usually expect those beers to be more malt forward. Anyhow yeah this shortage stuff sucks. Kind of wish I didn't brew the zombie dust clone now I love citra. Oh and I really love simcoe lately. Two of the worst to get right now.

 

[huntingohio]

Wow peole can get catty,
I'm not insulting your religion or peeing on your diety.I'm NOT against hop forward beers, I'm against BAD beer.
I'm not anti-fad , I'm anti BAD beer. Companies are changing there recipies and brewing 6 kinds of ipas. It's all due to this stupid "hop mania" crap. I brew hop forward beers, I have a red coming up with cascade that will have a nice hop bite. It will also be a balanced beer, not a hop tea.
I'm not trying to be a hipster saying "oh thats so last week". I'm just tired of good beer being ruined. Releases like this only go to further the bad beer, now next year all the breweries will want to double the ammarillo and citra orders, which might make some good beer, but most are just gonna try and find room in the bottle to cram as much as they can in.
If you think im wrong go to a craft store and pick up a selection of beers you havent tried before, most of them will go down the sink

 

[FATC1TY]

Maybe you just don't like hoppy beer. Thats okay. To say people are ruining good beer with hops, is silly. If they like it, who's to tell them they are wrong?

I buy plenty of craft beer, despite making my own. I enjoy most of them. Have an open mind. Just because you think it's balanced, might be a sweet malt bomb to someone else. Personal preference, learn about it!

 

[cjb]

Just a PSA: Citra may be gone, but nobody "missed out" on Amarillo. I bought a pound of 2012 Amarillo from Freshops a month ago, and it still shows available on their site. Same with Simcoe. Looks like they also have Mosaic now, which I'm interested to try...

 

[waddsworth]

I buy craft beers often and the new style of all hops and no character is just plain gross. I dont mind an agressive hop bite on the start but I should be able to taste something after that, not just have my tounge numbed.

Could you provide some commercial examples of this "new style"?

 

[huntingohio]

Best example that I recently bought is magic hats stout... just over hopped and bitter.. to make it worse they did it to a stout

 

[dbrewski]

we are veering off the original topic here but I have to agree that there is a new breed of beercraft out there designed to cram IBU's in for bragging points. This is personal taste only, but two I have had recently that were overpowering were Deviant Dale's IPA and Founders Centennial IPA. I'll probably get my head blown off for saying an IPA has too much hops, but these beers were not pleasant to drink. In fact, I didn't drink them. They're still in my fridge. Maybe it's the hops used, I love hop-forward beers. I am not shy about using hops. But I like the end result to be something I want repeat servings of, not something where I dread having to finish a 5 gallon batch.

 

[Crustovsky]

I'm not insulting your religion or peeing on your diety.

As a practicing hoppist, yes, yes you did insult my religion. I mean, I'm not going to demand you be beheaded for insulting the one true god or anything like that, but still.

I'm NOT against hop forward beers, I'm against BAD beer.

That's a pretty bold statement. By all means, there are some really awful examples of hoppy beers that are just mindless bitterness without anything else, but to equate beers that don't specifically appeal to YOU with outright bad beers is more than a bit arrogant.

If you think im wrong go to a craft store and pick up a selection of beers you havent tried before, most of them will go down the sink

Beg pardon? Again, pretty bold and arrogant statement. You know this really isn't a point in your favor right?

 

[FATC1TY]

Best example that I recently bought is magic hats stout... just over hopped and bitter.. to make it worse they did it to a stout

Magic Hat? Seriously?

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

we are veering off the original topic here but I have to agree that there is a new breed of beercraft out there designed to cram IBU's in for bragging points. This is personal taste only, but two I have had recently that were overpowering were Deviant Dale's IPA and Founders Centennial IPA.

Please send the Founder's to my attention and I'll make sure they're disposed of properly! Just had that for the first time recently and I liked it much better than Two Hearted even though they are similar.

Care to share your amarillo recipes? I have some that I've been meaning to use.

I need to load up some of them into my sig and will do that. In the meantime, if you search some of my posts I've put a few out there. Definitely the Gumball, the Amarillo SMASH, and a hoppy red that used mostly Amarillo. The red was meant to be similar to 3 Floyd's Brian Boru. All 3 were excellent.

 

[Wayne1]

This is personal taste only, but two I have had recently that were overpowering were Deviant Dale's IPA and Founders Centennial IPA.

FYI, Deviant Dale's should not be considered an IPA. It follows Oskar Blues' trend to understate the style. It IS a DIPA. Major buttload of Columbus dry hops.

If consumed fresh, it is amazing. Anything over a month in the can and it goes off balance. Gubna, from the same brewery, is single hopped with Summit and I, personally, feel it is too single dimensional.

The history of Citra is explained in this article from "Imbibe":

"Secret Citra
Since most brewers have access to the same hops, having the means to create a proprietary variety with uncommon aromatic and bittering qualities can pay delicious dividends. A few years ago, the brewers at Sierra Nevada were aflutter over hop variety 394. In conjunction with Deschutes and Widmer Brothers, Sierra Nevada helped finance the research and development of this strain with a strange flavor profile—a hard-to-pin mix of citrus, mango and papaya. “There’s even something strangely Southeast Asian about the hop,” says Sierra Nevada’s Bill Manley. “This was one of the most promising hops we’d seen in some time.”


Sierra’s brewers played around with 394, polishing and tweaking recipes to serve as the novel hop’s coming-out party. By late 2008, Sierra Nevada had its eureka moment. The tropical 394, christened Citra, would drive the flavor of the Torpedo Extra IPA. When it was released in early 2009, it was Sierra’s first addition to its year-round lineup since 1992.


If that sounds like a lot of time and research to spend on developing a beer for a single hop strain, it is. But unlike small brewpubs or microbreweries, Sierra Nevada and other larger brewers are uniquely positioned to do the time-consuming legwork. “We have labs and a researcher with a background in hop compounds,” says Manley. “Smaller craft brewers would just have to buy a lot of hops and hope for the best.”


Since Sierra Nevada cracked the seal on Citra, other brewers have quickly adopted the hop. Widmer Brothers recently released its golden Sunburn Summer Brew, while Deschutes used Citra in its Hop in the Dark black IPA. In Madison, Wis., Ale Asylum’s Bedlam! mixes Trappist yeast with Citra, while Flying Fish’s Exit 16 Wild Rice Double IPA is generously dosed with Citra. With the word out, now amateur brewers are clamoring to experiment with the trademarked hop. “We get frequent requests from homebrewers asking where to find Citra,” Manley says. “It just takes somebody to break the ice.”"

 

[TNGabe]

Citra/Nelson for President in 2016.

Oh crap, Nelson wasn't born here.

 

[PJM]

Citra/Nelson for President in 2016.

Oh crap, Nelson wasn't born here.

Another "birther" controversy ...

 

[FATC1TY]

Citra/Nelson for President in 2016.

Oh crap, Nelson wasn't born here.

Citras not old enough yet!

 

[Xpertskir]

IPAs are just a gateway to appreciating the more subtle styles and flavors of beer. Most people are enticed by the citrus and tropical flavors of new wave IPAs but at some point you get bored with those flavors luckily there are porters, stouts, milds, lagers, etc

I went full circle and got back into IPAs a few years back but unless the beer is a seasonal or at a brewpub or clearly marked fresh I'm not paying $15 no matter how hyped it is.

I don't drink beer and wine or eat food for subtlety. I want in your face flavor.