Hop Powder

[Gunnerholic]

Hi guys I'm new to the forum but been brewing for about five years on and off. Just a question about the hop powders that are supplied with the two can kits.
Basically I've brewed both the St. Peters Ruby Red Ale a few years ago and more recently the Woodfordes Admirals Reserve, both these kits come with a sachet of Goldings hop powder (I believe). The problem is both kits have ended up with a very dry bitter powdery taste that none of the other two can kits I've made have had (I don't think this is a coincidence). I was wondering is this something that others have experienced? I'm definitely gonna stay clear of the sachet's in future and probably opt for a fresh hop addition instead.

[mrmojorisin]

In my experience the op powder sachets do give quite a strong flavour though this does blend with time, I haven't noticed a powdery taste but that could well be my un-edu-macated palate!

I'd try replacing the sachet with a hop tea, just steep a small amount of your chosen hop for 30 mins and add that to the brew....for even better results steep some malt, then boil the resulting liquid and add your hops to that before adding to your kit.

[duffymoon]

Gotta agree about the hop powder with the St Peter's kits, hop tea has to be the way forward. The Ruby Red is sweet enough to take a fair bit of extra hopping in my opinion.

[Gunnerholic]

Yeah I will do, I used the Brupaks Ale Flavapak on a Coopers Real Ale recently and it has really added to the kit. This was my first foray into extra additons by way of fresh ingredients so I'm eager to try my own choice of hop and grain additions next

[Gary_P]

I can share my experience. I used the hop powder sachet for a recent Admiral's reserve. I didn't notice the dry bitter powdery taste you mention. I did leave it sometime before I started drinking and I did bottle it (rather than keg). I have to say that I found the flavour most agreeable as did the people who I shared it with.
Cheers

[Gunnerholic]

Well maybe powdery is the wrong description, I dunno it just feels a bit synthetic. Like the difference between fresh orange and 'from concentrate' or Sunny Delight lol. Theres just something not quite right about it!

[Shrunken Reaper]

I'd say you're best off with real thing, no matter how much science or magic is thrown at the humble hop plant, I doubt we can improve on the ancient method of "chuck a handful in" they're cheap enough and will last a few brews if you're adapting kits