Strong Ale - Hop advice needed

[John F]

Hello, I've been away from the forum for the last few years- as a full-time dad of 2 I haven't had a lot of time to devote to brewing!

I've decided to get back into it with a strong ale based roughly on GW's Gale's Prize Old Ale from BYOBRAAH. I've changed it a bit to use up a load of hops I have in the freezer, and to try out some aromatic malt.

I have 8kg pale, 500g aromatic and 930g sugar.

Hops are a mixed bag of things to use up. They've been in the freezer for a while.
I have...

Tettnang 2010, 3.8% AA, 13g
Northern Brewer 2011, 10.6% AA, 100g (vacuum packed)
" " 2010, 9.91% AA, 40g
East Kent Goldings 2009, 5.2% AA, 30g
Willamette 2010, 6.1% AA, 63g
Bobek 2010, 3.9% AA, 25g

My initial plan was to bung in all the Northern Brewer at 90 minutes, then the Goldings, Bobek and Tettnang at 30, but I'm not sure if this is a good idea. Can anyone give me any advice? I imagine that it's going to get a long maturation. Many thanks!

[brewnaboinne]

I think it would be too hoppy if you use all that Northern Brewer, save the 40g for your next brew. Maybe if you left the late hops til T-5 might get more aroma. Personally I don't really like bobek but it does seem to mellow with ageing.

[Andy__]

I don't think you need to worry about bitterness. It's a big beer that needs a high bitterness to balance the malt sweetness. Your going to age it for at least 6 months and your using 4 year old hops.

If you find its too bitter for your tastes then just age it longer.

[John F]

Thanks for your advice.

I think I'll go with
100g Northern Brewer at 90 mins
40g Goldings and the other small amounts at 15 mins.

I also have a little black malt which is a month out of date. I would be using 180g for colour. As it would not be for flavour, does it matter that it's out of date?

Cheers!