What are you brewing?

[nzbrewer]

Since this is the most popular thread on the RealBeer.co.nz forum I thought I would start it here just to see what happens

[JoKing]

I definately subscribe to it. Like - APAs at 70 IBU and the bitterness is welcoming rather than "what the hell are you doing here?!?!?"

To truly test it you'd need to do some split batches, me thinks... My Cherry...?

[Greig McGill]

You've just described something I've been trying to find the words for for quite some time. I've always compared it to prickly carbonation but finer. You've nailed it. So THAT'S what the cause is?

[JoKing]

I reckon it is - but don't quote me on it... there are a lot of professionals out there who think that it is a load of crap. I started using lower cohumulone hops for bittering about a year ago, and noticed the difference instantly.

[Barry]

What other hops Joking? I need ideas.
High cohumulone appears to be a hallmark of NZ hops no?

[JoKing]

Not necessessarily mate. For whatever reason - argonomics etc. NZ hops have a comparitively higher "Black Pepper" oil about them - I think it's the Carophyllene oil... again dont quote me on it. But you'll agree that even though NZ Cascade and US Cascade have the exact same genetic background - the NZ Cascade is noticably more peppery.

If you want nice bittering from NZ hops - go for these varieties:

Southern Cross 25% Cohumulone
Pacific Jade 24%
Nelson Sauvin 24%
NZ Hallertau 24 - 30%
Pacifica 25%
Motueka 30%

And furthermore, chose your varieties for bittering carefully because the flavour DOES come through in the finished beer.

There you go - I just through the cat amongst the pigeons!

[Reviled]

Out of all of those id have to pick Southern Cross cos of the high alpha acid, makes it cheaper..

But what about Super Alpha? JT is gonna be pissed you didnt suggest that :oP lol

[jt]

Nah, that's the good thing about brewing Rev, you can be completely comfortable with every recipe and ingredient that you like - because it suits your taste

It'd be a boring ol' world if we all only brewed the same Dopple-Imperial hop-ass NZ draught-weizen recipe eh ?

[Reviled]

lol damn good point mate, I stand corrected :o)

[JoKing]

To be fair, Super Alpha is only moderate: 36 - 39% and I think it's important to note that below 35IBU you aren't really going to notice too much harshness. Green Bullet, on the other hand... 42%... ouch!

[jt]

No correection needed Rev - everyone looks for something different from their beer & ingredients I'm sure.

Now off to work on a recipe for the Dopple-Imperial hop-ass NZ draught-weizen !

*edit, the Noir version of course, for winter sipping by the fire.
Then late winter / early spring I'll be working on the lo-carb Kristal version for summer

[Mike Neilson]

Going to try my hand at an Imperial Pils this Sunday!!

100% ADM Pils Malt

Mashed as Low as you can and a 90 Min Boil

20 IBUS of NS @ 60

20 IBUS of NS @ 20

80g each of Cascade and Riwaka @ 15

80g Each of Cacade and Riwaka and 30g NS @ 0

I Might do a 50g Dry Hop Just to give it a bit more life!!

Wyeast American Lager 9 deg

First time at a IMP Pils this is going to be a bit of a learning curve this one!!

[JoKing]

Good Luck mate! You're getting in deep!