I'm not one to chase around and play with too many of the "new" hops, or better yet, the ones without legit names.. Mosaic was about the last one I took a jump on before it got popular, and it's still a "meh" hop to me. However, last night, I had a DIPA from a local place that was literally amazing. I'd drink it 100 times over Heady Topper, or anything else hop wise out. Come to find out, it's got some hops that I've never, ever used, but has the aroma and flavor that I completely desire in a big IPA. Azzaca, Lemon Drop, Wakatu and Apollo. I've used Apollo, I picked that out in the beer, but the rest were new findings. Lemon Drop is the one I can't find, and I suspect it's a MAJOR factor in this beer. It was like everything I wish Citra and Amarillo would be when combined, but had this slight danky medicinal note that was so clean and refreshing. I obviously felt that the beer was full of NZ and Australian stuff, until I looked it up. Anyone used, or have any leads on Lemon Drop? All I could find is it's from Hop Steiner, but I can't recall buying hops during the harvest from anyone that was supplied by Hop Steiner. I'd love to get a couple ounces to play with. Meridian, is another hop some local brewers were saying is going to be the next bad ass hop that people fall over for.. Never used it, or heard of it.
Here's some info on Lemon Drop...maybe you already found this: http://hopsteiner.com/variety-data-sheets/?pdf=98 and here's a place in Ohio that appears to sell them, currently out of stock. Probably have to wait for the 2014 harvest before they'll be available again: http://www.hopsshack.com/store/HP1461.html Mind sharing more info about where you had the fantastic DIPA?
Yeah, I saw that stuff, wasn't sure if anyone had a bead on other places that got Lemon Drop, or Hopsteiner hops. Looks like I'll have to wait until the fall to brew something with them, which is fine. This year, I plan to skip on the American stuff. I've got a pound each of Chinook, Cascade, Citra, Amarillo, and Centennial, in pellet and leaf from the last harvest, unopened in the freezer. Mandarina Bavaria, Huell Melon and some NZ are on my list. Need to get the NZ stuff now while it's still somewhat fresh, I think. The beer anywho, was Orpheus Brewing, in Atlanta. Trasmigration of Souls is the name of the beer. 10% DIPA. Unbelievable aroma of citrus, and pith, dank and floral, has this almost methol note of a fresh herb in there that just carried the aromas. The taste was straight up hop juice with orange, lemon, lime, and all that awesome stuff. Creamy mouthfeel and dry, so it had the Heady like body and mouthfeel, but was crisp and refreshing, if a 10% ABV beer can be refreshing. It was awesome...
Any chance the brewers would be willing to kick you a couple ounces to play with? As far as Meridian, I have used it in combo with other hops. Recipe for a White ISA with Meridian and Cascade I did here, and review here. The beer was super fruity and citrusy, hard to tell where the spices and peels started and the hops stopped. Meridian is a little bit mild though. Also tossed some into a dry hop with on an IPA but not able to discern what it did.
Your description of the beer is very much in line with the data sheet for Lemon Drop from Hopsteiner. Interesting name for a beer. Makes me wonder what they were thinking...in addition to being a belief about the passing of the soul from one body to another, John Adams wrote a piece for the NY Philharmonic by the same name to commemorate the 9/11 attacks
I don't think this is one of the hops you mentioned, but speaking of experimentals, I just had a "Red IPA" (hoppy amber fer chripe sakes) made with hop 05256. I'd say it was mostly earthy and a little citrus-y. Reminded me of Fuggle or possibly Willamette more than anything else, but on steroids. Also, it had a little rounded caramel-ness, but I'm chalking that up to the (unknown) malt bill and/or age. Could be completely wrong in that assumption. I also just googled 05256 and the description at Hoptech sounds almost completely unlike what I got, but I'm sticking with my olfactory receptors and taste buds on this one, at least until I have a different beer with this hop.
Thanks for the kind words, FATCITY. I originally started trying to aquire "lemon drop" back when it was 04190. The hop broker told me it was called Lemon Zest, and later told me it was Lemon Drop (my boxes just say 04190). A few weeks ago when I was trying to up my contract they told me that it's actually Lemon Zest and that Lemon Drop is a different hop. I don't know who to believe -- them or them. If you want to stop by the brewery, I'd be happy to give you a few oz. I used all the big boxes I got, but pretty sure I still have some small packets in my freezer at home. I'm not convinced it's the single hop you're looking for though. By percentage, the leading hop in Transmigration before dry hopping is actually Apollo (it's the only hop in the boil, the main hop in the hop back, and used in the whirlpool, though there's more Azacca). We've released 2 versions, and I dry hopped them differently. The 1st batch had more Azacca than anything, followed by Wakatu and Lemon Zest, then Apollo. I had to let it condition for an extra week to let the green onion die down, so on batch 2 (the batch that's been out the last couple weeks), I cut out the Apollo dry hop and reduced Azacca. I made up for it with a lot more Wakatu. The 3rd batch (currently cold crashing) had equal Wakatu and Lemon Drop, but I think I prefer batch 2 just a little more, so that's probably what it will be for every batch next year (I'm trying to fit as much experimentation with the new hops and equipment into as short a time as possible). Hard to say for sure until batch 3 is carbed and ready though. Our summer IPA, Peace.War.Truth.Lie., is getting kegged tomorrow. It's equal amounts Wakatu and Mandarina Bavaria. Lots of pineapple from the Wakatu and lots of orange from Mandarina. I ordered a bunch of Wakatu just before we opened only because my broker fucked up my Mosaic contract and I needed another hop for Transmigration. I wasn't able to get enough Lemon Zest to make up for it (which I already knew I liked), so I chose Wakatu just because it was available and the oil profile looked good. Now I've contracted more of it than any other hop going forward. Alanforbeer, the name came from this being our Spring IPA (yes, we're stretching the season considerably right now), with spring being a time of rebirth. Because of the Orpheus mythology (Orpheus traveled info the underworld to try and retrieve his dead wife. She didn't make it back out, but he did), Orphic cults came about that focused on the concept of Transmigration of Souls. It's just a coincidence that the greatest concert I ever saw was the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra playing Transmigration of Souls (great partly because it was followed with the Barber Adagio for Strings). Jason Pellett Brewmaster - Orpheus Brewing
Lemon Drop? Isn't that Experimental 1020? I have a vacuum sealed 4oz pack I'd be willing to trade. Beer mail me if you're interested.
Jason, Thanks a ton for the info! It would interesting to see what Mosiac would bring to the beer if you didn't use Wakatu- I think it's awesome as is. Would be interested to find out the real name of the hop. Lemon Drop or Lemon Zest. Appears if it's from Hop Steiner, it's Lemon Drop, but who knows again, if thats what you've been using!! Looking forward to trying all of your beers as they roll out. Even more excited at the future of being able to get said IPA's and sour's in CANS locally.
