Huell Melon Hops

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by CADETS3, Feb 17, 2016.

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  1. CADETS3

    CADETS3 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2014 Texas

    I'm planning on doing a Saison this weekend that will have cacao nibs and strawberries. I planned on using about 3 oz of Huell Melon Hops at the end of the boil.
    .4oz Nelson @20
    1oz @ 10
    1oz @ 5
    1oz @ 0

    I plan on using WLP 565. In the secondary, I will add the cacao nibs and about 2# of quartered, frozen, and thawed strawberries. Back to the hops...Have you guys used this hop much? I read from the manufacturer that it gives a melon and strawberry aroma. I'd love to get a nice hoppy/fruity aroma from this hop while also having the real strawberries in there. What has been your experience with this hop? Do my additions seem like overkill? Thanks and cheers!!
     
  2. AlHounos

    AlHounos Initiate (0) Nov 3, 2015 California

    Cacao in a hoppy saison just doesn't sound good to me. Usually, less is more.

    The hops sound good, but i don't think you'll taste much from 2lbs of strawberries in 5 gallons. I'd personally skip them, but if you really want to, I think you'll need to add at least 2 pounds per gallon, if not more, to get noticeable flavor from them. 10lbs of strawberries deserve better than being buried in a beer, IMO. Make a simple syrup and dose in the glass if you want strawberry flavor.
     
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  3. chavinparty

    chavinparty Zealot (641) Jan 4, 2015 New Hampshire

    I personally love strawberries but I don't like them in beer. Hull melon hops are very subtle. And more as the name describes like a melon rind. The hop concept hull melon blanc is a great beer to try if you can find it.
     
  4. pweis909

    pweis909 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,176) Aug 13, 2005 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah Society

    This ^^^. I'd skip the nibs
     
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  5. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin

    Huell Melon has a honeydew melon taste and not much strawberry. Belma is the most strawberry-ish hop I've used.
     
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  6. Seacoastbrewer

    Seacoastbrewer Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2012 New Hampshire

    Totally agree both on the nibs and strawberry flavoring. Way easier (and significantly cheaper) to make a simple syrup and dose when you drink than risk the entire batch. I also have heard it takes A LOT of strawberries to get any significant flavor. I haven't brewed with them so knock yourself out.

    Also you may consider losses to trub and the general PITA of getting the strawberries in and out of your beer. All the same, take pictures and report back!
     
  7. MostlyNorwegian

    MostlyNorwegian Pooh-Bah (1,912) Feb 5, 2013 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    You have a few different streams of thought happening. I'd save the strawberry and nibs for a darker beer and a different hop. Can't really imagine the idea on top of that yeast character.
     
  8. chavinparty

    chavinparty Zealot (641) Jan 4, 2015 New Hampshire

    I brewed a single hop Belma beer that was so strawberry like I found it unpleasant. My girlfriend loved it and still talks about it but I had decided it must have been an off flavor. Happy to hear that you've had the same experience. Just looked back at my recipe 3 oz Belma at the end of the boil and 6 oz dry hops for 7 days. If you want strawberry I guess that'll do it
     
    #8 chavinparty, Feb 17, 2016
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2016
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  9. CADETS3

    CADETS3 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2014 Texas

    I meant to say 2# per gallon. I left that part out. I'm going to stick with the cacao nibs and use them in the secondary. Reasoning behind the nibs is that chocolate and strawberries pair very well (at least outside of beer), and I thought to give it a try with a saison. Thank you for the input though guys.
     
  10. FeDUBBELFIST

    FeDUBBELFIST Pooh-Bah (1,703) Oct 31, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Just a suggestion but I would find another Belgian yeast strain and re-categorize this beer as a Belgian Blonde. The more fruity, less earthy esters should compliment both strawberry and cacao nibs better than a saison strain would. Just my opinion.
     
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  11. cmmcdonn

    cmmcdonn Initiate (0) Jun 21, 2009 Virginia

    I just picked some of these up for a Belgian IPA I've been asked to attempt to clone for a friend's wife. I haven't used them before so I can't comment on that aspect, but I will +1 to what others have stated about Belma and strawberry notes.
     
  12. ryane

    ryane Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2007 Washington

    Id suggest adding some blackberries to this beer, as strawberries add little to no flavor and no color, just about the only thing they do add is sourness
     
  13. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin

    It sounds like ryane never tried New Glarus Strawberry Rhubarb Ale.
     
  14. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin

    Be honest. Are you planning on using Lactose in this beer @CADETS3 ?
     
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  15. CADETS3

    CADETS3 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2014 Texas

    Ha ha, good one! Really though, no I don't intend to.
     
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  16. ryane

    ryane Initiate (0) Nov 21, 2007 Washington

    its pretty easy to keep strawberry flavor in a beer when you essentially kill any microbes (yeast/etc) and sweeten with a fruit syrup at the end

    New glarus is tight lipped about their "fruit" beers, and that one in particular is pretty sweet..........

    Try fermenting some strawberries and get back to me with how it tastes
     
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  17. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,331) Jul 5, 2010 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah Society

    All I know is my Grandma used to make some country-ass strawberry "wine" and it was gross.
     
  18. Brew_Betty

    Brew_Betty Initiate (0) Jan 5, 2015 Wisconsin


    They make fruit beers that actually taste like fruit. Fruit tastes like fruit because fruit is sweet. Removing all the sugar and expecting it to taste like fruit is an unrealistic expectation. Replacing the fruit sugar with malt sweetness works well. I have done that with strawberries and the result was good. That won't happen with the OP's beer on account of the Saison yeast.
     
  19. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    Not all fruit is sweet...probably why Berliners and Saisons with fruit are all the rage right now.
     
  20. CADETS3

    CADETS3 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2014 Texas

    What yeast did you use? I picked up some wlp550. I also have some more Belgian strains at the house but I can't recall what they are at the moment.
     
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