40 replies to this topic

[ChicagoWaterGuy]

I need to pick a hop for a SMaSH red x lager. Hops available: Hallertau Blanc, Hallertau Tradition, Meridian, Motueka or Saaz. Thoughts?

[Genesee Ted]

Tradition

[rtc]

Another vote for Hallertau Tradition.

[ChicagoWaterGuy]

It's a good combo. It would be the same/similar recipe that I use for my Alt but with lager yeast. It makes a tasty beer. Anyone have experience with using non traditional hops in this sort of beer?

[Genesee Ted]

I've used NYS cascades a few times with Red X

Not exactly non traditional, but not noble. Results were great

[HVB]

Another vote for Hallertau Tradition.

Third

[ChicagoWaterGuy]

Well, I've been wanting to see how S-05 does with an Alt so I guess I'll go with the Hallertau Tradition and switch to an ale.

[MyaCullen]

as long as you don't use it as a late Tradition is OK, otherwise I don't like it myself, it seems kinda dingy and dull.  but it's a good bittering hop and long flavor hop

[ChicagoWaterGuy]

60,20 & 5 minute additions of German Hallertau Tradition. I've brewed with it before. It's done nicely for Helles and Alt. I never got dingy or dull.

[MyaCullen]

60,20 & 5 minute additions of German Hallertau Tradition. I've brewed with it before. It's done nicely for Helles and Alt. I never got dingy or dull.

huh, there must be a component to it that I'm sensitive to, but I just don't like it as well as Mittelfruh or Hersbrucker, but, of your available hops it does seem the most appropriate, although I'd be tempted by the Moteuka

 

if I had to try to describe it further it's a harsh vegetal taste

[ChicagoWaterGuy]

Maybe different crops? Mine were from hops direct. These are 7%. I do prefer hops I used to get that were just called Hallertau in the 4% range.

[MyaCullen]

it's been a few years, but this was from 3 different sources, 1 was a pound of Organic Tradition from HD, and the other were from 2 different brew shops that were bought by the recipe.  all about 6-7 percent 

 

I'm sure they'll be fine, don't mind me carry on

[Rattfink]

Saaaaaz!

[MyaCullen]

Saaaaaz!

I'm down with that, love me some Zots

[Big Nake]

as long as you don't use it as a late Tradition is OK, otherwise I don't like it myself, it seems kinda dingy and dull.  but it's a good bittering hop and long flavor hop

I agree. I have no issues with Tradition to bitter but I tried using it late in a few beers as if it was regular Hallertau and it was sort of dirty and overly-Earthy. I stayed away from late additions after that but kept using it as a bittering hop with good results. As Mic said, could be something that only certain people pick up. I don't have experience with Blanc or Meridian. Saaz would be great but based on the AA% I have seen lately, you may need a lot of them. You know which off-the-map Hallertau hop is really nice? Hallertau Select. Really nice late hop. Good luck.

[BlKtRe]

Motueka. I've done single hop Ales and Lagers with it and it works well. Plus you can say Motueka instead of the usual Hallertau. 

[HVB]

Motueka. I've done single hop Ales and Lagers with it and it works well. Plus you can say Motueka instead of the usual Hallertau. 

When I saw you posted in this I knew with out opening it what it would say.  I know how much you love that hop!

[ChicagoWaterGuy]

I saved the Motueka for SMaSH Helles lager.

[BlKtRe]

When I saw you posted in this I knew with out opening it what it would say.  I know how much you love that hop!

 

Im predictable. 

I saved the Motueka for SMaSH Helles lager.

 

I did this. It was very good. 

[Big Nake]

I may have been ruined on Motueka. That doesn't mean I wouldn't try it again but there is a commercial beer here (from 5 Rabbits) that uses Motueka and the beer is just not that good. My wife and I tried it at a bar and I had to choke it down and my wife didn't even finish it. I checked in with a couple of other beerheads that I know and they had the same opinion. "Disgusting", "Appalling" and "Horrendous" were some adjectives. It's a pale-colored and very cloudy ale. It finishes very sweet and Motueka and Saaz are the hops. Fruity, thick, sweet, blech. I'm sure it's all in the execution but this was not a good beer, IMO.