Mystery Hop Use

[notoriousbrewco]

Hey all,

I have about 5 pounds of hop pellets in my freezer that I want to start using, but I can't identify them by scent. They were given to me when I had just started brewing, but I haven't been ready to use them until now. I want to create a beer to feature them so that I can get more information on what I might be holding on to. (I'm not in touch with the person that gave them to me.)

Someone at my brew club mentioned that I should be able to just create a very simple recipe, mostly base malt, and hop the snot out of it. So to me, that says several pounds of two row and 1oz additions at 60, 15, flameout, and maybe 2oz dry-hopped. I also have some Irish Red Ale yeast that I need to use. Am I even remotely close to a good idea?

Thanks!
-Will

 

[m00ps]

5 pounds? and you want to use 5oz at a time? screw that noise. Use 1lb at a time

@60: nada
@20: 2oz
@0: 8oz hopstand
@dry: 6oz, staggered if you wish

 

[kingwood-kid]

If you have 5 lbs of one hop, then Moops has an excellent plan. I might use a known hop to add at 60 to get the IBUs you're targeting, but either way you'll have beer and an appreciation for your hops. If you have 5 lbs of assorted hops, then you might consider http://www.bertusbrewery.com/2013/03/dry-hopped-bud-light.html. I'm not saying that you'll be able to identify what you have, just that you'll have a better idea of what to do with what you've got.