are these hops worth bothering with?

[martin w]

i've come across this listing on trade me for hop rhizomes, has anyone heard of the varieties?or know if theyre any use for brewing with?


SMOOTHCONE: NZ bred bittering hop with fragrant green female flowers. Vigorous growing, resistant to phytophthora. Smoothcone is an original NZ hop that is a derivative of Fuggles & was developed as a disease resistant strain. Typically has alpha acid of between 8-10% which is about same as a NZ Cascade or Centennial (pretty high). Dual use bittering & aroma hop, although it does not provide super-aroma.

GOLDEN HOP: Bright golden foliage & striking lime yellow flowers in early autumn. The unpollinated female flower of a Hop produces more alpha acid that is used as the bittering ingredient in beer.

GERMAN HOP: This unnamed female Hop variety was sourced from Germany. European Hops typically are mildly bitter/aromatic.

cheers
martin

[James P]

Hey Martin

Smoothcone definitely is a beer hop and worth getting if you can't source one of the other varieties such as cascade which is sometimes floating around.

The German is of unknown heritage, but I believe a couple of brewers on here have used them. Someone told me theirs was similar to Hallertau, but I have not used it.

Depending on the alpha acid level in the golden hop you could probably use it for brewing, but it will be a hit or miss.

[denimglen]

I think the Golden Hop is being sold as a ornamental variety, and smoothcone as a brewing variety at a nursery down the line somewhere.

I grew Smoothcone last season but haven't used it yet.

Joking has I believe. Wasn't it also used in the Hallertau Saison?

[Pilgrim]

Did you harvest the Smoothcone Glen? I planted one a few months ago and it died off over winter. I checked it yesterday and there are three new buds on the stalk. I planted it for interest rather than to use but might give it a try if I get a decent enough crop.

[denimglen]

Yeah, I think I got something like 400g dried hops, but haven't used them yet.

The hops hibernate over winter so nothing to worry about, although I believe best time to plant is the beginning of spring. If there's buds there it'll take off once spring rolls round - be ready for it!