Low/Moderate alpha hop options?

[MVKTR2]

Hop loving brewers, what are your favorite low/moderate aau hops for american apa & ipa? With the increased variety of high alpha hops it has actually effected how I brew APA/IPAs and has made it harder to get a balance between subtler bitterness and hop flavor in more balanced brews (when trying to use new varieties).

So I'm wondering what are your favorite low/moderate alpha acid (below 8 aau) hops with a non-German/British character? Just looking for options when I work through my current cache of Bravo, Calypso, Centennial, & Meridian hops.

 

[hanuswalrus]

Amarillo is usually around 8ish and is one of my favorite hops for IPAs. Some new-ish New Zealand hops I've seen look like they have some lower AA %'s, like Wai'iti and Wakatu. Those hops supposedly have some good aroma potential.

You could always use the higher AA hops closer to the end of the boil, at flame out or in a whirlpool to help minimize the IBUs you extract while still getting that good flavor/aroma from the hops.

 

[BigMack]

Cascade is always a good choice. Might not be groundbreaking, but it is such a common choice for a reason.

I also have an APA that I make that is a mix of Crystal and Amarillo that is amazing. FWH with 1 oz of crystal and half an ounce of Amarillo keeps the bitterness low and smooth, an oz each as a flameout steep, and then an ounce each as a dry hop. The low AA crystal compliments the Amarillo extremely well while also letting the Amarillo shine.

 

[slym2none]

Cascade is a perennial favourite, and it is usually in the 6-8% range.

Amarillo can break 8%, but is still awesome.

Crystal is used a bit, it's in the 4-6% range.

 

[HomebrewSupply]

Jumping on what others have said, Cascade is always a personal favorite (for IPAs, APAs, Blondes, etc.). Amarillo too, I wouldn't have thought of that, I always lump it in with the higher AA ones.

Motueka is a great choice too!

 

[hanuswalrus]

The newer German hops are in that lower AA range as well: Hull Melon and Mandarina Bavaria

 

[LostBoyScout]

I know it isn't what you asked, but for me I'd rather adjust my schedule around the hops I want for flavour (ie, pretty much all at whirlpool), as my favourites (with notable exceptions Cascade and Amarillo) are pretty much all high AA: Galaxy, Citra, Mosaic, Centennial and Simcoe. I think the balance can be struck by moving everything towards the end of the boil

 

[m00ps]

Seconding some mentioned and a few of my other favs:

Hallertau blanc - gooseberry, very aromatic, like a more floral clean nelson
Belma - strawberry strawberry strawberry
huell melon - melony, of course, pairs very well with belma
Comet - super assertive grapefruit/resiny character in dry hops
Pacific gem - nice tangy blackberry flavor (does not come off as bitter at all depsite the aa%
Motueka - lemon lime spice
mandarina - very distinctly orange
summer - nice apricot marmalade flavor

 

[MVKTR2]

Wanted to thank yall for the replies! I was aware of some but wanted see what I might be missing.

Btw BigMack, that was a heck of a game Clemson played in the NCG. Most people talked about your QB, I was far more impressed with the progress your OL & DL has made. Bama's OL has regressed since the retirement of Joe Pendry but still, amazing game. Most teams lose against the Tide before stepping onto the field or immediately at the line of scrimmage, probably 7 out of 10 teams. However, Clemson played em toe to toe. Roll Tide!!!