NorthernBrewer - hops came with no alpha acid percentages printed, wth?

[Rev2010]

Is this something new or just a mistake? I haven't brewed for a year,took a break and focused on some other stuff and am starting back with two beers so this is my first order in a while. I emailed them but figured I'd ask here if this is something new and if so for God sakes why?

 

[Hoochin'Fool]

Kinda tough to use them for bittering without that info! If they're aroma hops, maybe it doesn't matter, but I'd still be annoyed. What kind of hops? Can you post a pic of the packaging they came in?

 

[Rev2010]

Kinda tough to use them for bittering without that info! If they're aroma hops, maybe it doesn't matter, but I'd still be annoyed. What kind of hops? Can you post a pic of the packaging they came in?

I'm out at the moment but will when I get a chance. They're several different hops - Northdown, Hallertau, and East Kent Goldings. 5oz total and not one packet has the AA% on it like as usual. And yep,I'm annoyed to no end as I had another item i purchased go awry with the final product today. Seems no one can do their job properly anymore.

 

[Hoochin'Fool]

I think you won't do better than guesstimating from the "typical alpha acid percentages" of those hops:
Northdown 7-10%
Hallertau 2-5%
EKG 4-6%

I don't know what shipping would cost for you, but take a look at Ritebrew.com -- not only are their prices great, but they actually update their website when a new batch of hops comes in, so you know what the actual AA% is, BEFORE you even hit "add to cart".

 

[Rev2010]

I think you won't do better than guesstimating from the "typical alpha acid percentages" of those hops:
Northdown 7-10%
Hallertau 2-5%
EKG 4-6%

I don't know what shipping would cost for you, but take a look at Ritebrew.com -- not only are their prices great, but they actually update their website when a new batch of hops comes in, so you know what the actual AA% is, BEFORE you even hit "add to cart".

Yeah I've used other sites before but I usually just use Northern Brewer as they have the largest amount of stuff in stock that I need. This is the first time I've ever come across this. Now I'm waiting to hear back from them. This is absolutely unacceptable so they're going to have to either resend them or I want to refund. Here's an attached photo, am I blind?

 

[Hoochin'Fool]

This is absolutely unacceptable so they're going to have to either resend them or I want to refund. Here's an attached photo, am I blind?

I don't see anything useful on those labels, either. Not sure I'd trust NB to even know what the original batch of hops said, before they split them up into 1 oz packages...

 

[MaxStout]

You could send an email to NB and see if someone responds. Maybe you'll get lucky and get an answer that way. It's possible that whatever answer you do get might be expressed in ranges of AA. I do see a lot of hops where if the package gives AA values it's a (sometimes broad) range.

We have so many unknowns with hops (AA, crop year, hop storage index, storage conditions, etc.) that calculating IBUs is pretty much guesswork.

 

[IslandLizard]

We have so many unknowns with hops (AA, crop year, hop storage index, storage conditions, etc.) that calculating IBUs is pretty much guesswork.

I've never had any issues when buying hops (in bulk) from YVH or HopsDirect. They've always been packaged well, and must have been stored correctly too, never had a skunky hop from them or unexpected low IBUs.

YVH sells most hops in 2oz, 8oz, and 16oz single layer (thin) mylar packages; HopsDirect in 8oz and 16oz thicker multi-layer mylar.
When ordering, a minimum of 4 pounds seems to be a somewhat sweet spot between the cost of hops and shipping cost. YMMV.

Deep freeze all your hops!
After opening and weighing out, purge the bags with CO2 (or N2 if you have it). Or vacuum pack in smaller bags. They'll keep for years (deep frozen).

Hop Storage Index (HSI) doesn't apply to frozen hops.

 

[sibelman]

I've never bought or seen hops that didn't show alpha acid numbers on the label. Wild.

There have been many complaints here about this supplier. They seem to really fall short nowadays. Sad.

 

[HM-2]

I've had this a couple of times, most recently with some Azacca, but thankfully only ever things I was intending on using as aroma hops. I'd shoot down the middle of the "range" they provide for the varietal but expect to have to potentially adjust a little post boil or fermentation.

 

[Yesfan]

I have a few hop bags from NB and none of them list the AA% amounts.

I had some high hopes NB was turning the corner after AB/InBev sold them and Chip Walton came back. Frankly, I'm surprised Brewtubers like Chop&Brew (Chip), Apartment Brewer, Don O, and others who promote NB haven't said anything.

Well, I'm not that surprised for obvious reasons (sponsors = money), but you get what I mean.

 

[Rev2010]

Thanks all, I found this really bizarre and was hoping they didn't start this as some new dumb trend where it's "good enough" to know the general AA range or something cause it's absolutely not. Waiting to hear back from them and will report back. Good thing I won't be brewing these two batches for a couple of weeks due to other plans I have. I'm expecting them to send replacements for all these hops since I have no way to calculate the bitterness.

 

[balrog]

Welp, while I myself am a devoted dataphile number hoarding OCD calculator and note taker, I have to say I really doubt I would notice bitterness difference in a 5 gallon batch using the middle of the range, as @Hoochin'Fool suggests, versus what AA% might actually measure. I would be annoyed beyond measure at the thought of being unable to reliably repeat a recipe under those conditions, to be sure.

 

[tracer bullet]

I have to imagine it's a mistake (but, you never know). I dropped this thread link into another post made with the same issue from another store NB bought out and obviously supplies.

 

[Dgallo]

German hallerrau shouldn’t be higher than 5% AA so you could use 5-6% in your calculation but but you’ll have to be ok with getting less ibus incase they are closer to the typical 2-3%

 

[Romex2121]

I dropped this thread link into another post made with the same issue

That was me , I didn’t realize there was something started already about this , mine came in yesterday in the same packaging as shown in previous post , just the name of the hop and nothing else .
I’m betting their getting hops in bulk from somewhere then repackaging them with their logo , that’s all well and good but the customer needs to know what their working with instead of it could be this or that .
I did email the company this morning but looks like this has been an ongoing issue so I’m not expecting much back .
I definitely won’t be using this company again

 

[Romex2121]

Anyone know a good place to get hops with the AA% printed on the package
So we know what we’re actually using??
I just checked a handful of different companies and they all gave just a blanket statement like
Centennial 9.5% - 11.5%
Kinda hard to dial in IBU% when trying to follow a recipe

 

[Dgallo]

Anyone know a good place to get hops with the AA% printed on the package
So we know what we’re actually using??
I just checked a handful of different companies and they all gave just a blanket statement like
Centennial 9.5% - 11.5%
Kinda hard to dial in IBU% when trying to follow a recipe

Yakima valley hops and Hop alliance are my go to. Hop alliance has great prices and stuff other places don’t like cgx by the lb. They also have 11 & 22lb bags if you wanna go in with a hb club or group

 

[Rev2010]

OK so they replied,

"Sorry for the inconvenience, we upgraded printing systems and were having trouble configuring the alpha acid print out (this has since been fixed) -- which hops are you needing this info for? I can see what we have in our system."

So I sent them the info. Phew, glad to hear it was just an error and not some new way of doing things

 

[Romex2121]

Thank you Dgallo ,,, Just placed an order for a pound each of
centennial and cascade from
Hop Alliance , AA% clearly shown

 

[Dgallo]

Thank you Dgallo ,,, Just placed an order for a pound each of
centennial and cascade from
Hop Alliance , AA% clearly shown

You got it brother. They also give you the hsi data so which is nice which is the hop storage index anything under .3 is great anything over .4 don’t get unless you plan you use them quickly

 

[Romex2121]

Was a whole lot cheaper buying a pound of each at $9.99 per pound thru
Hop Alliance compared to buying 1 ounce bags at a cost of $2.00 ta $3.00 an ounce thru Northern Brewer ,
live and learn I guess .

 

[Kickass]

OK so they replied,

"Sorry for the inconvenience, we upgraded printing systems and were having trouble configuring the alpha acid print out (this has since been fixed) -- which hops are you needing this info for? I can see what we have in our system."

So I sent them the info. Phew, glad to hear it was just an error and not some new way of doing things

Seems like an answer designed to make people happy but likely won’t change their packaging. If they were willing to send it in error, something tells me they’re ok sending mediocre products with little intent to do the right thing, every time.

 

[mac_1103]

Seems like an answer designed to make people happy but likely won’t change their packaging. If they were willing to send it in error, something tells me they’re ok sending mediocre products with little intent to do the right thing, every time.

Huh? They said it was a printing issue that has been fixed. They said they will get him the information he needs. I'm no fan of NB, but what else should they do? Sure, they could have pulled the misprints from inventory and reprinted the labels before they shipped any of them, but stuff happens and if they fix it then they fixed it.

 

[tracer bullet]

but what else should they do?

Pay attention to the printing, catch it before too many bags have been made. Watch the first few get made, before letting the rest go, to be sure it's working. Fix the issue before making bags to ship, not after, if they are saying they actually knew they were having the issues. Write on the bad bags with a marker instead of shipping them out.

 

[rallenhall]

Reminds me of a pound of whole hops I got from MoreBeer a number of years ago that read "Czech Saaz - 13.l% AA." I emailed and they quickly replied "Oops, should be 3.5%"

 

[IslandLizard]

Write on the bad bags with a marker instead of shipping them out.

Exactly!
Or print out (small) paper "addendum" labels with the missing data* and stick them on top. That's client oriented customer service.
Or simply print on the shipping bill.

Looking at that label a bit closer, I have the impression they cooked up a lame excuse of something they simply forgot. I don't understand why their name has to appear twice on that label, either.

* I just noticed the harvest year, essential information when it comes to hops, is also missing from the label.

 

[mac_1103]

Pay attention to the printing, catch it before too many bags have been made. Watch the first few get made, before letting the rest go, to be sure it's working. Fix the issue before making bags to ship, not after, if they are saying they actually knew they were having the issues. Write on the bad bags with a marker instead of shipping them out.

I covered that, albeit without the details. "What else should they do?" meant "what else should they do NOW?" since I assume they don't have a time machine.

 

[mac_1103]

I just noticed the harvest year, essential information when it comes to hops, is also missing from the label

I think this might be a more frequent (and less accidental) issue with repackaged hops.

 

[Yesfan]

OK so they replied,

"Sorry for the inconvenience, we upgraded printing systems and were having trouble configuring the alpha acid print out (this has since been fixed) -- which hops are you needing this info for? I can see what we have in our system."

So I sent them the info. Phew, glad to hear it was just an error and not some new way of doing things

I looked back at my previous orders and see where three bag of hops were ordered back in March and April. None have the AA% info. 3-4 months to fix a printer issue?

That excuse is lame af. What else has slipped by their QC?