Liberty & Cluster Hops Going In

[LethalSax]

Hi everybody, first time posting here.
I'm brewing a beer tomorrow that has about an even split of pilsner malt and munich malt.
I chose an ounce of liberty and an ounce of cluster hops to add to it and was wondering what y'all might suggest for my boiling times.
I was thinking about adding the liberty at 60 minutes, then adding the cluster at about 10 minutes.

Thought I'd get some feedback from the pros!
Thanks in advance.

 

[Steveruch]

I'd go the opposite.

 

[grampamark]

I'd go the opposite.

I'd agree.

The OP didn't mention the style of beer, but the higher AA hops would, generally, be used for the bittering addition. Cluster is almost double the AA of Liberty.

 

[AZCoolerBrewer]

I was surprised by the other responses because even though Liberty is known as an aroma hop, I think of it as a more of a noble hop and therefore appropriate for bittering. Also, since I brew less than 5 gallon batches, an ounce of lower AA hops still gives me plenty of IBUs. That said, I am working up an Imperial IPA recipe right now that uses cluster hops as the bittering addition. I think rather than convention you should get aroma/flavor profiles of the two hops and then add the late addition of the flavor profile you are looking to capture.

 

[grampamark]

I was surprised by the other responses because even though Liberty is known as an aroma hop, I think of it as a more of a noble hop and therefore appropriate for bittering. Also, since I brew less than 5 gallon batches, an ounce of lower AA hops still gives me plenty of IBUs. That said, I am working up an Imperial IPA recipe right now that uses cluster hops as the bittering addition. I think rather than convention you should get aroma/flavor profiles of the two hops and then add the late addition of the flavor profile you are looking to capture.

Which is why I mentioned the style, which the OP didn't. Knowing what he was brewing would be helpful. Munich and Pilsner narrows it down, a bit, but still leaves a lot of possibilities.

 

[waldoar15]

I'd go the opposite.

Yep. I use Cluster in my CAP all the time and it's a better bittering hop, IMHO. Probably a bit much for a flavor/aroma hop.

 

[LethalSax]

I'd agree.

The OP didn't mention the style of beer, but the higher AA hops would, generally, be used for the bittering addition. Cluster is almost double the AA of Liberty.

I guess I was orginally shooting for a blonde ale, but my shop was out of Vienna malt so I substituted Munich. Kinda looking for a session beer, not very hoppy. Sounds like I should switch my hops around.

Thanks everyone for the input!

 

[grampamark]

I guess I was orginally shooting for a blonde ale, but my shop was out of Vienna malt so I substituted Munich. Kinda looking for a session beer, not very hoppy. Sounds like I should switch my hops around.

Thanks everyone for the input!

There really aren't any rules for this kind of thing. Since neither hop is particularly high AA, and you're not making a highly hopped beer, your first choice might be as good as any.

There's the accepted way of doing things and the "let's see what this does" way. Both ways make beer.

 

[Lefou]

One more silly interjection here ...
Does anyone here do first wort hopping?

It's a great alternative and simplifies the hop schedule somewhat. Low alpha aroma hops can be used as single-hop bittering additions when doing certain styles of beer. I love to use the low alpha noble hop varieties for a bit of "extra mileage" (110% utilization of a 60min. boil).

Why would I do that?
I like hops and their signature aromas, but not the sharper bitterness some of the mid-range to higher alpha hops provide. You can use the high alphas and low alphas in different ways to get the flavor you desire ... just something to consider. A blonde ale is usually a light colored, basic style that can support a generous range of bittering but I typically shoot for a minimum of 20 IBU for any style I do, that's just me.

 

[LethalSax]

UPDATE:
Had too many beers when I posted. Wrote the hop schedule backwards.
Went with the Cluster at 60 minutes, Liberty at 10 minutes.

I'll let everyone know how it came out!