Best Bittering Hop

I didn't even get 75% attenuation on my Bravo/Warrior experiment, partial boil seems to kill attenuation too. Anyway, Bravo doesn't quite have the character of CTZ, and probably isn't any smoother either. Warrior has more character than Magnum, but not as smooth. At this point I would rate them CTZ > Bravo > Warrior > Magnum, but while CTZ mashes Magnum IMO, it is really apples and oranges with Bravo and Warrior for me. The next experiment will be Polaris vs Apollo, 21.3% AA vs 18% AA. Polaris is much more expensive, so they will be used equally by AA rather than by weight. I expect a lot of character from both. On another note, I've done dry hopping experiments with both of those. I can't stand Apollo as a dry hop, but Polaris was alright. I also have some Millenium as well, but I suspect that will be pretty similar to Magnum, so the winner of Polaris vs Apollo will go up against CTZ, then the winner of that will go up against Millenium and most likely spank it.

 

That's like asking 'what's the best spice to cook with?' Flawed question with no correct answer.

 

Cluster is an excellent bittering hop and you cant beat the price!

 

I'm throwing magnum out there, and calling bullshit to everyone saying you can't make a dry, hoppy beer with extract.

 

I have some cluster. Maybe it'll make its way into my "google special" oatmeal stout. I've used it once and liked the results, although it wasn't a super hoppy beer, so the true character wasn't revealed, only hinted at. Admittedly, I bought it on my last bulk hops order because it was only eight bucks a pound.

 

Oddly, the driest beer (in subjective perceptible dryness units) I've ever had was a mild from Schlafly using only citra hops. It was an oddball one off that they've never brewed again (and probably never will). It was so dry you'd think the sahara was lake michigan in comparison. Strange beer. I should have gotten a growler of it when I had the chance.

 

Does anyone have an opinion on Newport hops? I have a few bines of those going (I got them for free) and it looks like I'll have a pretty good crop.
I know it's mostly a bittering hop, but is there any info on what might happen if I use it later in the boil? Is it a neutral flavor? tropical? Piney?
I'll probably rip a couple out and plant some normal flavor / aroma varieties in their place after the harvest this fall.