favourite nz bittering hops

[martin w]

i'm thinking of getting some of the following,mainly for bittering but i notice some of them have other useful properties.

HIGH ALPHA

The continuing hop breeding programme has developed several high alpha varieties, allowing maximum bittering efficiency while at the same time retaining desirable aromatic qualities.

Pacific Gem:

A high alpha hop with a pleasant aroma and a useful bitterness level of 13% alpha acid. Pacific Gem can produce a cask oak flavour with distinct blackberry aroma, along with a woody character. Used as a bittering hop by internationally famous European brewers.  Pacific Gem data sheet

Green Bullet:

This hop variety has a unique raisin-type character, a slight floral note and has been likened to giving a Styrian style flavour to the beer. It consistently averages more than 12% alpha acid and its aroma qualities match its excellent bittering power.  Green Bullet data sheet

Super Alpha:  

A very reliable variety always giving better than 10% alpha acid. Super Alpha has a very encouraging humulene-caryophyllene ratio, similar to European aroma hops. A unique cross of the best English and German hops, Super Alpha produces a crisp clean flavour and also has some nice resin character. Super Alpha data sheet

Southern Cross:

A spicy and lemony character typifies this high alpha variety with some slight piney and woody hints. Southern Cross has an excellent essential oil profile and low Cohumulone, whilst still producing alpha acid of 12%.  It produces a very "European" flavour in beers.   Southern Cross data sheet

Pacific Jade:

The most recent release of the New Zealand Hop Research Programme Pacific Jade is a high alpha hop, averaging 12-14%, with low Cohumulone and an excellent oil profile. Brewing trials have shown that this hop gives the beer a clean crisp taste, with a nice balanced palate. Pacific jade data sheet

having never used any of them i was wondering what others liked or use on a regular basis,or dislike for any particular reason?

cheers for any info

martin

[jt]

Super Alpha, pretty neutral, use it just for bittering and it doesn't smother the other hops.

Some people like it, others hate it

[martin w]

cheers,after reading the nzhops descriptions i was thinking of going for pacific gem but a quick search on here didn't find many fans, so i thought i'd ask before buying
super alpha and sticklebract were next on my list

[JoKing]

Nelson Sauvin is a great all purpose hop - it's not on your list, but you should consider it. The best one on your list is Pacific Jade - it's what is used to bitter Steinlager Pure.

[martin w]

sauvin is on my to buy list,i didn't really think of it for bittering ,more flavour/aroma but given its AA i don't know why i didn't think of it!how much of the flavour comes through when using it for bittering? or does it finish prtty neutral?

[JoKing]

It comes through a wee bit. Nothing bad about that - depending on what you brew. For most Ales it'd be fine.

[Christian]

Pacific Gem is great and under-rated IMO - it's mainly used for bittering but I really like the flavour / aroma (recently used in a single hop beer). Tastes a lot like UK Challenger when employed in large qualities. I use Southern Cross for most on my pale ales - just the right amount of character to provide a good base for the other additions. Can be pretty full on if you use heaps though.

[jt]

Ah well, you can always just try them all, one by one ?

[vdog]

I've used Nelson Sauvin and Pacific Jade for bittering, and sauvin for aroma/flavour as well. I really rate the Pacific Jade.

[martin w]

thanks for all the replies guys, i'm thinking of going with jt's suggestion and getting a selection-i'll try em all!

[jt]

Well bittering hops go a long way - and they're not always there to be noticed either.

I reckon, if there isn't already some thing that you really like, buy a 100gm pack of one or two varieties and brew some similar beers with them - could take you a while

Sounds like a bit of Sauvin is your cuppa - get some of that, it'll always do for late additions too.
One of the Pacifics sounds like a popular choice too