Hi, I've grown some Prima Donna hops, also know as First Gold, and was wondering if anyone could share a recipe for using them 'green' i.e. freshly picked?
So far I've only made kit recipes, but would like to use these hops, so I'm guessing it'd have to be an extract recipe?
Any advice or help greatly appreciated!
Thanks+
Extract recipe using 'green' Prima Donna Hops?
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seymour
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Re: Extract recipe using 'green' Prima Donna Hops?
You don't need a recipe, just chuck 'em in! First Gold hops are EXCELLENT all-purpose hops with nice English marmalade-y characteristics, typically around 6.5-8.5% alpha acids. And yes, that's about the same for homegrown versus commercial, don't get all mystified and overly-cautious by the fact you don't have expensive labwork. The hops plants know what to do, and they do it pretty much the same year to year, place to place.
So, simply use your favourite tried-and-true kit, same as ever. If you want more bitterness, simply add some of your hops to the boil (or a separately boiled "hop tea" if you prefer, or if you don't have the ability to do a full-wort boil). If you want more hoppy flavours and aromas (who doesn't?!), simply add some of your hops with 15 minutes boil remaining, and/or 10 min, and/or 5 min, and/or at flame-out, and/or dry-hops added after primary fermentation dies-down. You could transform an everyday Wherry or Coopers kit into a pretty kick-ass First Gold IPA.
There's lots of good brewing software or free online calulators which will help you predict the outcome, if you wanna check-out different combinations before committing to the brew. http://www.tastybrew.com/calculators/recipe.html is a fun one, but notice it uses US gallons, pounds and ounces.
Have fun, and enjoy your homegrown hops!
So, simply use your favourite tried-and-true kit, same as ever. If you want more bitterness, simply add some of your hops to the boil (or a separately boiled "hop tea" if you prefer, or if you don't have the ability to do a full-wort boil). If you want more hoppy flavours and aromas (who doesn't?!), simply add some of your hops with 15 minutes boil remaining, and/or 10 min, and/or 5 min, and/or at flame-out, and/or dry-hops added after primary fermentation dies-down. You could transform an everyday Wherry or Coopers kit into a pretty kick-ass First Gold IPA.
There's lots of good brewing software or free online calulators which will help you predict the outcome, if you wanna check-out different combinations before committing to the brew. http://www.tastybrew.com/calculators/recipe.html is a fun one, but notice it uses US gallons, pounds and ounces.
Have fun, and enjoy your homegrown hops!
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boingy
Re: Extract recipe using 'green' Prima Donna Hops?
Can't really help with an extract recipe but I brewed an excellent all grain beer with home grown green Prima Dona hops last year
Recipe was simple, like me, and I called it "Prima Good, Sir".
88% pale and 12% crystal to hit 1.048 OG
Prima hops to 32 IBU (I assumed 7.5% AA)
Rest of the hops chucked in at flameout (because I don't like to accumulate odds and sods of hops...)
Notty yeast
No idea how to convert that to extract or whether you will have the equipment to make the extract version so I can second Seymour's comments. The simplest thing you can to is to simply chuck a couple of handfuls (or more) into the fermenter on day 4 or 5 then strain them out when you bottle/keg.
And green hops will freeze just fine so you can defer your decision if you want. Ideally vac pack them but you can just bag them and squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing/tying. Or you could dry them. Spread them on newspaper or make newspaper "envelopes" then keep them somewhere warm and airy for a few days until they are papery and dry, shaking them every day to keep them uniform.
But whatever you decide to do, make sure you use 'em!
Recipe was simple, like me, and I called it "Prima Good, Sir".
88% pale and 12% crystal to hit 1.048 OG
Prima hops to 32 IBU (I assumed 7.5% AA)
Rest of the hops chucked in at flameout (because I don't like to accumulate odds and sods of hops...)
Notty yeast
No idea how to convert that to extract or whether you will have the equipment to make the extract version so I can second Seymour's comments. The simplest thing you can to is to simply chuck a couple of handfuls (or more) into the fermenter on day 4 or 5 then strain them out when you bottle/keg.
And green hops will freeze just fine so you can defer your decision if you want. Ideally vac pack them but you can just bag them and squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing/tying. Or you could dry them. Spread them on newspaper or make newspaper "envelopes" then keep them somewhere warm and airy for a few days until they are papery and dry, shaking them every day to keep them uniform.
But whatever you decide to do, make sure you use 'em!