Tired of Citra, Mosiac, and Galaxy NE IPAS

[Spivey24]

Where are you all getting your galaxy? The last couple pounds I got from Yakima Valley Hops were somewhat disappointing.

 

[HopsAreGood]

Where are you all getting your galaxy? The last couple pounds I got from Yakima Valley Hops were somewhat disappointing.

Galaxy is incredibly hit or miss. The last galaxy that I got from Yakima Valley hops was an 8 ounce bag and it was awesome. Probably the best Galaxy I’ve ever had. It’s unfortunate that it’s so hard to predict whether or not it will be good or not, But the last batch I had was so good.

 

[Spivey24]

Galaxy is incredibly hit or miss. The last galaxy that I got from Yakima Valley hops was an 8 ounce bag and it was awesome. Probably the best Galaxy I’ve ever had. It’s unfortunate that it’s so hard to predict whether or not it will be good or not, But the last batch I had was so good.

I’ve recently switched to getting 2oz packages from YVH in hopes of keeping the hops fresher with less oxygen exposure. I still buy a few pounds at a times and it is only about 1 dollar more a pound this way. I will try the galaxy in the smaller packages again.

 

[MicroMickey]

Buying hops from the major producers/distributors is certainly the way to go. However, the real problem is not oxidation, it's how well they are treated during transport. If they sit in a box on a shipping dock in the sun, they can be damaged beyond hope. Continue buying in pounds but do it in the winter.

 

[couchsending]

When older Galaxy is available, buy that over the fresher crop. I swear it gets better with age. Less harshness, more fruit. I think a little oxidation actually helps it. Sounds dumb I know but I swear they get better with age.

 

[MicroMickey]

Another thing to consider is the co-humulone level of the hops you buy. It they're over about 34% of the alpha acid, look elsewhere. I quit using Cascade hops even before I realized that they run about 39 to 42% of the alpha acids. They are like trying to swallow hack saw blades. Cascade still is a wonderful hop for dry hopping, however. Centennial is about 34% max and Amarillo is less than that. The first time I tried Galaxy, I was very impressed with their aroma and flavor.

 

[couchsending]

The high cohumulone = harsh bitterness theory has been debunked. Some hops certainly provide a much harsher bitterness than others but studies have found that it’s not exactly the cohumulone levels that cause this.

 

[Northern_Brewer]

Continue buying in pounds but do it in the winter.

Australian winter or northern winter?

These comments from Shaun Hill about Galaxy may be relevant, I posted over on the main NEIPA thread :
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/northeast-style-ipa.568046/page-360#post-9102182

 

[MicroMickey]

The high cohumulone = harsh bitterness theory has been debunked.

I'd like to read more about that; especially because my tongue and throat didn't get the news.

 

[AM1]

I hated Rakau. Thought it had a strong fig-like quality that I didn't like much.

I did a Nelson-Motueka light hazy a few batches ago that turned out great.

The thing about taste is it's so subjective though. I love reading other people's opinions/experiences but I do try to use every ingredient myself whenever possible to form my own opinion.

Agreed on personal opinions- i have another brew set with riwaka-nelson evrn thoough the diesely notes derived from riwaka based on comments i read here and there are off putting to be honest

 

[HopsAreGood]

@couchsending Regarding eclipse/HPA-016. You are absolutely right. I brewed up a pretty simple IPA using a simple grain bill and very clean yeast. There is absolutely a very sweet mandarin orange kind of character to it, which is really nice, but there is also a very pronounced anise/licorice kind of thing that almost borders on rubber. It’s not necessarily offputting, but it’s also not the most desirable flavor I’d be looking for. I don’t love it nor do I hate it, but I will say I’m surprised that HPA is putting so much faith into this hop as their next big thing.

It is definitely unique, but also just kind of weird.

 

[beersk]

This thread title makes me think of porn. You get bored of regular ole porn, so you escalate further and further until it's never enough. People are like that with their IPAs, it's insane.
If what you used to like has become bland and boring, you're overdoing it. Quit drinking so many damn NEIPAs. How about a classic style. A nice bitter or German Pilsner hits the spot...

 

[Indian_villager]

Citra/mosiac is a delicious combo. However you are right a bit more variety would be appreciated. The one that recently blew me away was Small Riwaka Everything by Other Half. Straight up Riwaka and it was a spectacular flavor bomb.

 

[beersk]

My favorite is Citra/Simcoe. I don't need to keep upping the ante to keep it fresh for me. Saying you're tired of Citra/Mosaic is like saying you're bored of Weihenstephaner Premium - "I need something more, it's just a boring helles...", Aside from that being a blasphemous statement, yeah, maybe you need to drink a different beer or beer style? Point: You drink too many NEIPAs! There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Believe it or not...

 

[day_trippr]

^lol^ golf claps for the riff

Still...there are a multitude of roughly comparable and certainly enjoyable strains beyond citra, mosaic - even simcoe - that are just waiting for exploitation...

Cheers!

 

[beersk]

^lol^ golf claps for the riff

Still...there are a multitude of roughly comparable and certainly enjoyable strains beyond citra, mosaic - even simcoe - that are just waiting for exploitation...

Cheers!

This is true. But ya can't go wrong with the tried and true, is all I'm saying.

 

[tracer bullet]

I've been avoiding brewing a NEIPA 1) Might get tired of it, 2) Might not do a good job getting flavors I'd like, 3) Know it'll change no matter how careful I am w/ preventing oxidation.

So far I've just decided to have them at restaurants and buy the occasional 4 or 6 pack. The more I read the more I think that might be best.

That said, I did just get a variety of hops to make teas with, and I'll probably make one anyhow. Sounds like sticking w/ citra, mosaic and / or simcoe wouldn't be a bad bet.

 

[Kold Brygg]

Have anyone tried a combo of Cashmere and Southern Passion.

In theory they might fit.

Maybe with a touch of a more potent hop like Vic Secret or Columbus.

 

[AlexKay]

I haven't loved Southern Passion when used alone. But I've learned I rarely like hops that have "red berry" or "black currant" or somesuch in the description, so that's just me.

Recent IPA successes:

Citra & Nectaron, in a 1:2 ratio

Sabro & Lotus, again 1:2

I also did a single-hop IPA with HBC-1019, which is a wonderful hop. I haven't figured out what will play well with it yet.

 

[Jag75]

I've been using mosaic , Amarillo and galaxy in my NEIPA lately . Works really well together imo.

 

[day_trippr]

That's totally a lay-up though

Cheers!