Have you used these hops?

I'm very sensitive to the green bell pepper note in Equinox. For me, it's quite up front and fairly off putting.

 

Comet is fantastic in saisons. Made a single hop version with 3711 and it turned out great, would probably add something else to balance it out next time, though.

 

At least your sink will get to drink some craft beer then.

 

I like that idea, I'll have to give it a try.

 

I entered an Equinox XPA into a local comp and my scoresheets reflected the fact that judges were not ready to be bombarded by Equinox hops... one judged asked if I had poured skunk oil into my beer, another stated that the beer did not have any visible flaws but tasted and smelled like diesel infused weed. It scored a solid 19. For reference, wort from the exact same grain bill, used to make an XPA brewed the exact same day with Citra, amarillo and simcoe hops with the same pitch of yeast, etc. scored a 45 in the same competition from the same judges in a different category when entered as an american pale ale (Also went to round 2 of NHC).

The whole point of all this bullshit, is that Equinox hops are quite polarizing. I love them, and when used with abandon, can make a very nelson esque beer with a lot of citrus rind, tropical fruit and dank, dank skunk weed flavor and aroma. The infamous equinox XPA is still one of my favorite beers to date.

 

I'm using first gold in a hefeweizen I'll let you know in about a week.

 

Could have been due partially to other factors, but I have brewed with Topaz (whole cone) several times and I can only describe the flavor as having a dry, metallic edge...not iron, not all copper...just kind of "brassy".

Could also have been from some old Cascades I got from my LHBS (don't usually buy hops from them).

I was shooting from the hip a little...Barfdiggs/Scumbag81 raves about them so maybe I'm just out to lunch...use them and enjoy hopefully.

 

Ever bite your tongue? (not often I guess : )) Blood = iron/copper

 

Ewwwww!!!! That sounds horrible, and no, I don't want more information

 

I brewed a hefe with topaz, and I'd agree with the metallic taste.

 

First gold is pretty mild. It has the orange flavor but it isn't bright or super citrusy it blends very well with the malt and yeast flavors in this hefe (wy 3333 about 60% vienna 40% red wheat). I used 1 oz for bittering and 2 oz whirlpool for 20 minutes at 170* F. I think you can be pretty heavy handed with this hop and not worry about going overboard. I think it would be an excellent pale ale hop. I 'll let you know how the pale ale turns out in three weeks.