quick question with use of Citra hops

[BaldyOnFire]

Hey guys, hopefully just a simple question.

I've brewed a particular Terrapin Rye Pale Ale clone a few times now and like it a lot. However, lately I've had more and more beers with Citra hops and find that I really love 'em. I'm trying to figure out how best to use these Citra hops for their flavor, not necessarily aroma. Here's the hop schedule for a five gallon batch.

US Magnum pellets (recipe called 4 whole) .5 oz 60 min.
UK Fuggle 1 oz (recipe .75) 30 min.
UK Golding .5 oz 20 min.
UK Golding .5 oz 10 min.
Cascade 1 oz (recipe .75) flame-out
Amarillo 1 oz (recipe .75) dry hop 4 days (I won't be increasing dry hop time, btw)

For this next batch I purchased Citra instead of the Cascade. My question is to best maximize Citra for flavor, should I put the Citra in at flameout or dry hop with it? Or perhaps earlier in the boil?

TIA!

PS: this question is also what I'd consider to be a general question of how to maximize hop flavor (as opposed to aroma). 10 minutes, 5 minutes, FO or DH?

 

[agrazela]

In my experience, big flame-out addition for flavor, big dry-hop for aroma...though of course there is some cross-over there. If I really want to express a particular hop or hop combo in APA or IPA, I like to use about twice as much of it at flameout (actually, more like a 180°F hopstand) as I use in dry-hop.

 

[carvetop]

I love Citra as well and have been using it extensively for flavor and aroma. Echoing what agrazela said, a big hopstand is the key to flavor and aroma. My preference is to add a big charge (usually 3oz for a 6.25G batch) in a hopstand from 170F to 160F. I found that adding hops at temps above that allowed for some isomerization and added bitterness that I wasn't looking for. Below 175F or so, little to no isomerization occurs and you're left with fantastic flavor and aroma.

 

[BaldyOnFire]

Thanks guys. You also gave me the idea to search google for "hopstand" and I found this.

I really like the balance and subtlety of this recipe so won't change the amounts but I'll make my flame-out addition a hopstand. I'll get it down to below 170F and do a 30 minute stand with the Citra hops and will dry hop with the Amarillo.

Thanks