'Catnip'/mint hop note

Not from hops, but, regional favorite Black Raven does make a beer with catnip in it: http://blackravenbrewing.com/Beerfolio/kitty-kat-blues-infused-pale-ale

 

That beer is pretty nice. I don't think I've ever had two in the same night, but I'll certainly grab one at some point in the evening if it's on tap.

 

I get that note from a lot of different hops in a lot of different beers, sort of a light aromatic mintiness in the taste. I really like it,

 

You've had catnip?

 

I sometimes get that from a hop note.

However, I have noticed it far more frequently with certain yeast strains.

 

Fuggle, Northern Brewer, Perle, Polaris, and Progress are all quite minty. Never seen that from Columbus and Chinook. Both of those have more peppery and citrus rind notes.

 

From WebMD:
However, catnip is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when smoked or taken by mouth in high doses (many cups of catnip tea, for example).

It can cause headaches, vomiting, and a feeling of being ill.

LOL I don't see anyone brewing with it because of the possible side effects....

 

Lemondrop hops give me this flavor too. A lot of it. Stone Delicious IPA and Flying Dog Lemondrop DIPA both reminded me of mint, tea and "catnip"

 

Columbus gives me a very distinct vibe of dark evergreen veering into dirt weed territory. I'm not familiar with catnip, but it's possible we're getting the same thing but describing it differently.

 

I've had plenty of "mint" in beers as well, and not always IPAs, and as @cavedave says it's not always from specific hops - I think it might be due at least in part to how long the hops are left in contact with the beer, picking it up from the plant matter rather than the resins. Tea-like flavors seem to work in the same way, but I think those are more likely to come from specific hop varieties, but yes, you're certainly on to something.

One day we'll look back on these conversations as stupid because we've learned so much and it's all so obvious but for now it remains very much a mystery.

 

You sure it's not an onion taste?

 

Cool and minty could refer to plenty of noble hops as well as the "bittering hops." I like it too. If it's dank it's a different hop than cool and minty. Minty herbal are not the same as dank and spicy which could also be spice or even pine. confused? Yeah drink more beer.

 

Do folks often confuse onion and mint? Asking for a friend.

 

You never heard you can substitute mint for onion in a pinch?

 

http://blackravenbrewing.com/Beerfolio/kitty-kat-blues-infused-pale-ale

 

I don't know if I've ever gotten catnip, but definitely mint. Port Brewing Wipeout and Fremont Lush are two beers I can remember getting mint notes from.

 

@HorseheadsHophead , do you remember what beers?

Fresh mint, or dried? I've sometimes noticed a somewhat bitter, lightly "minty" flavor such as what you would get from Monarda (Earl-Gray-tea-like flavor), or spearmint that's been in bloom for awhile , and fading.

Depends on what constitutes a "high" dose (to humans ). Strong stuff, so the right amount for good beer might not be anything close to an unsafe level.

 

I get that minty note in Jai Alai quite often... I rather enjoy its uniqueness...