How accurate are repeat recipes when the alpha value varies?

[detz]

I'm reading over hops ingredients and they all say things like:

Typical alpha: 4.5-7.0%
OR
Average 7.2%

Does a range like this have a big affect on the outcome of the beer? From what I've read you really need to know the actual value to make consistant beer.

 

[boo boo]

I use HBU's to get the alpha acids in line with the recipe I'm using.

Real repeatability would have to account for all the flavour changes each crop delivers every year. Beta acids etc.

 

[davesrose]

Real repeatability would have to account for all the flavour changes each crop delivers every year. Beta acids etc.

Boy, and since there's still quite a scientific debate about what oils add to hop aroma, I'd say that's pretty impossible. The main thing you can strive for is keeping your proportions of AA constant. When I'm scaling up my recipe, I'll take my source's AA into account.

 

[weirdboy]

I scale my hops to that I try to always use the same AAUs.

 

[jigidyjim]

I'm reading over hops ingredients and they all say things like:

Typical alpha: 4.5-7.0%
OR
Average 7.2%

Does a range like this have a big affect on the outcome of the beer? From what I've read you really need to know the actual value to make consistant beer.

Interesting, whenever I've bought hops they always have a specific alpha % with no text saying "average". Where are your hops from?

I wonder if "average" is always implied, I thought it was an accurate number. Maybe it depends on the source.

 

[detz]

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/brewing-ingredients/hops/cascade-hop-pellets-8-oz.html

OR

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/challenger-uk-pellet-hops.html

It seems like most places don't give a solid number

 

[davesrose]

[It seems like most places don't give a solid number

I'd expect an internet site to give a range when you're ordering: it depends on what crop they're getting at the moment. But every hop I've gotten from a store has stated the specific AA right on the package.