First use of US hops

[RichardG]

As a relative novice my hops usage to date has been fairly 'traditional', so I've used the usual fuggles, goldings, challenger etc etc. For the first time I'm branching out into the use of US hops. I've got myself some bravo for bittering, and willamette and citra for late additions. I'm really after suggestions as to the combination that may be best; I'm thinking of using the willametter and citra both separately and together, but what sort of amounts etc work? I'v read that some of these US hops (citra for example) can be very over-powering if used in large amounts. Is that so with these? Any experiences or advise would be most gratefully received. As to yeast, I'm open to suggestions but would certainly like to give WLP001 a go.

Richard

[Patterd Ale]

Would have expected someone to have commented by now! You are in for quite a treat, just watch your ibu's, I pile the vast majority of the hops late in the boil, perhaps small addition full boil, occasionally some at 30 mins heaps at 10 mins and heaps more at 0 mins. I find citra good in small doses, chinook excellent, simcoe likewise. Also look for NZ examples, many yummy varieties out there. Willamette bores me somewhat, probably just personal taste though. Your yeast selection sounds good, personally I like WLP051, slow but produces good beer. I'm surprised that you have restrained from hop porn this long.

[keith1664]

I must admit I much prefer the US hops and I'm gradually working my way through them, personal fave so far is Amarillo but that seems virtually impossible to get at the moment. Cascade and Citra I like, I made a very nice Columbus/Chinook combo, Willamette and Simcoe I've not tried.
As for the yeasts I've used a fair amount of US-05 but prefer Wyeast 1272.
My last few brews have similar to Patterd's method, liking lots of hops but not too much bitterness, ditch the 90 min bittering addition and pile them in at 15,10,5 and flameout.

[Rookie]

I must admit I much prefer the US hops and I'm gradually working my way through them, personal fave so far is Amarillo but that seems virtually impossible to get at the moment. Cascade and Citra I like, I made a very nice Columbus/Chinook combo, Willamette and Simcoe I've not tried.
As for the yeasts I've used a fair amount of US-05 but prefer Wyeast 1272.
My last few brews have similar to Patterd's method, liking lots of hops but not too much bitterness, ditch the 90 min bittering addition and pile them in at 15,10,5 and flameout.

Amarillo is my favorite U S hop, goldings is my U K favorite.
I agree with 1272. I recently brewed with it for the first time and was very happy with it. The beer I brewed with it was voted people's choice last week at a home brew beerfest in the over three years experience group.

[Rookie]

As a relative novice my hops usage to date has been fairly 'traditional', so I've used the usual fuggles, goldings, challenger etc etc. For the first time I'm branching out into the use of US hops. I've got myself some bravo for bittering, and willamette and citra for late additions. I'm really after suggestions as to the combination that may be best; I'm thinking of using the willametter and citra both separately and together, but what sort of amounts etc work? I'v read that some of these US hops (citra for example) can be very over-powering if used in large amounts. Is that so with these? Any experiences or advise would be most gratefully received. As to yeast, I'm open to suggestions but would certainly like to give WLP001 a go.

Willamette was bred from fuggles and does taste a bit like it.
Other U S hops to try: summit, glacier, warrior, centenniel, and simcoe to name a few.
Richard

[RichardG]

Many, many thanks for the input guys, most interesting. I've got 100g of each hop I possess, so not sure that's enough to go with lobbing it all in late. I will check through the brewing software though just to see. I also like a certain level of bitterness, but I'm willing to try most things!

[jat147]

Willamette late with wlp001 is a killer combination, my new favorite brew I think? As already mentioned, a treat is coming up I'm sure.

[RichardG]

One further question regarding the Citra if I may. It's been commented a few times by some who describe a 'cat piss' effect from Citra (Not really sure what that means having never drunk cat piss personally!). My question is what can cause this, if anything? That is, if all other things are equal, will some people taste this, and some others won't; is it an entirely subjective effect? Alternatively, if it is 'genuine' (for want of a better word), what can cause it when brewing? I got the Citra on a whim having tried Adnams Ghost Ship, which also uses it (no idea of how much and when added obviously). My own experience of an unpleasent effect from a hop was when using bobek; it was awful, like drinking finest Fairy Liquid. That, I noticed subsequently, was also commented on by others who'd experienced the same thing. My guess would be the the poor flavour from Citra can come from using too much for too long. So in other words, use it sparingly as a late hop. But I'm guessing. Any comments?

[jonnyt]

That's my thought as well.
I made a batch using 25g 10min and 25g flameout, still maturing but certainly not cat p1ss and rather nice easy drinking beer.

[RichardG]

Interesting; and what, if anything, did you use for bittering in that instance?

[jonnyt]

Northern Brewer to 35 IBUs.

Works well with Americans I've found.

[RichardG]

Matters have moved on a pace now. I've got Bravo, Citra, Willamette, Liberty, and Amarillo. I'm going to do a series of pale ales using 95% pale, 5% caramalt using 10g Bravo in each for bittering, then 25g of each individual hop at 15mins, 5mins, and 80c steep. That will leave me with 25g of each on the late hops and I'm then going to do one or two mix and match efforts. Interesting to see what I get!

[Beer O'Clock]

Personally, I would combine the late additions. ie 50g @ 10 min, then steep if you must. I have made several brews with nothing but 10 min hops.
It gives a superb flavour balance.

[RichardG]

Indeed; since I posted my comments, I've thought about moving the 15min addition to 10mins - we'll see.

[RichardG]

Started with Amarillo, and did indeed move the 15min addition to 10mins. Will do Citra next.