simcoe for bittering?

[zodiak3000]

i love this hop for its flavor/aroma profile, but never used it for bittering. high alpha and low cohumulone seems like this would be great, but i read this article below that makes me question its bittering quality. whats your experience?

http://www.maltosefalcons.com/blogs/david-lester/my-lovehate-relationship-simcoe-hops

 

[MBasile]

i love this hop for its flavor/aroma profile, but never used it for bittering. high alpha and low cohumulone seems like this would be great, but i read this article below that makes me question its bittering quality. whats your experience?

http://www.maltosefalcons.com/blogs/david-lester/my-lovehate-relationship-simcoe-hops

Use it and see what happens, isn't that part of what makes this hobby so awesome?

 

[samc]

I've not noticed it, but this year I have not used much of Simcoe due to price/availability. I wonder if it is more likely a water chemistry issue that is causing this rather than the Simcoe.

 

[dantheman13]

Interesting that he covers bittering and aromatics, but not flavor really. I am about to brew a Simcoe IPA that is heavy on the late hops.. flavor, aroma, and dry hop. I won't be doing much bittering in this one. I got the idea from this recipe: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f69/simcoe-ipa-101574/

 

[Stout-n-Braggot]

Love Love LOVE Simcoe for bittering, great multi-purpose hop!

 

[gcdowd]

I believe dogfish head uses Syncope in a few of their brews. I think their 60 minute IPA is one of them

 

[gcdowd]

Edit: Simcoe

 

[bonzombiekitty]

I've used Simcoe for bittering on several occasions, it's worked out very well and I don't think I've noticed any of the effects described in the article. I love Simcoe hops.

 

[duckmanco]

Simcoe is amazing, but I'll be damned if I bitter with it ONLY due to its lack of availability. Given that bittering additions don't come through flavor wise as much as late hops, I'll bitter with Warrior, Magnum, Columbus Chinook etc. My 1lb. of Simcoe rest safe in my freezer as late and dry hops only.

 

[TotemWolf]

I've used for them bitter many times and never noticed any difference between it and Columbus or Galena (sic).

 

[zodiak3000]

thanks for the responses. i think id have no problem using it for bittering (especially if blended with another bittering hop like columbus). heck, i know green flash west coast ipas recipe is built mostly on simcoe and columbus during kettle additions. @duckmanco brought up a good point that since its so limited supply right now i might as well just savor the flavor for late additions and dry hop. the article above is interesting though that the guy just hates simcoe for bittering. id suspect simcoe isnt the culprit and he may have a flaw somewhere else in his process (water, etc.)

 

[jbock220]

I've recently learned that simcoe has one of the lowest, if not THE lowest, cohumulone content. Cohumulone is said to give a "harsh" bitter. I haven't put this into practice myself yet, but if someone reminds me ill let you know how it goes on my next batch.

For what it's worth, beerlegends.com has a great site for hop education/reference. I've noticed it tends to be one of the more obscure areas of brewing. Anyhow, I found the site super useful.

 

[jgarretson]

I'd put zero faith in any article that has absolutely no quantifiable or scientific evidence quoted in it.

His final argument is awesome. "Don't use simcoe cuz I said so! My research is based on one beer and I drew no logical connections therefore take what I say as gospel because I write a blog for a big club."

 

[stevedasleeve]

My favorite SMASH is Syncope (Simcoe) + Maris Otter, varying gravities, varying IBUs, it always rocks my world from delicate low gravity lager-like ales to big ass IIIPAs.

FWIW and YMMV and WTF...
Steve

 

[stevedasleeve]

My Saturday brew BTW is this:

17 lbs MO
1 lb cane sugar
(+ 4 oz acidulated malt to lower my mash PH... with 10 g gypsum)
3 Oz Simcoe @ 60
1 Oz Simcoe @ 30
4 Oz Simcoe @ flame out
2 Oz Simcoe dry hopped
2 Oz Simcoe whole cones in Keg
1.080, 140 IBUs, should finish around 1.010 at 9% ABV