7.8% AA Willamette

I can't confirm that number, but I do remember getting some Willamette pellets a few years back with AA in the 7% range.

 

The Cascades I got this year are 7.5%. Maybe growing conditions in the PNW allowed for heartier hops.

 

You might call the supplier. I think it was cool in the PNW for a good part of the summer, and that usually gives more AA.

 

I haven't seen them that high. My 2011's from Hopsdirect were 5.6% and Freshops is showing the current crop at 5.9%: http://www.freshops.com/hops/current-alpha-acid-percentages

 

I have some 2011 whole hops from Hopsdirect that are listed at 7.8% as well so I dont think it is a typo.

 

I received some recently that were also listed at 7.8%.

 

I feel like playing devil's-advocate. Can a hop bine give off different AA year to year, and if so, what would make it go up or down?

 

Yes...different growing conditions : )

 

Would it be detremental to have a 20% Fuggle, or would this be a good way to save money because you only need 1/4 oz for a batch?

 

If you know where there are 20% Fuggles...send me an immediate beermail : ) I think a 20% Fuggle would be genetically impossible, but it's fun to think about! Would it still be a Fuggle? Remember though, you'd still need to dryhop with them...that's 8 oz all by itself : )

 

they'd probably have to call it something else. idk what it would be though, since the most creative name i can come up with right now is fuckle...

 

http://weather-warehouse.com/WeatherHistory/PastWeatherData_YakimaArptTerminal_Yakima_WA_June.html

Looked to be pretty average according to the site here, maybe even a bit hot. I do recall the summer being a little slow to start, but out there in Yakima, it's pretty consistent - even thought we had a butt load of fires this summer, Yakima seemed pretty average.

 

I read that as "butt load of fries this summer..."

It seems like all AA's are a bit higher every year, but I have nothing to back that up. Just seems that way.

 

Whoops, it was supposed to say that - Bros. please edit.

 

Come-on...I know it must snow in Yakima...doesn't look like any snow...ever...am I reading that right?
The chart says it from Jan. - Dec.

 

Actually, not much at all. It's high desert. It's windy as fuck with the smell of wine grapes and hops.

But don't go there, it really is not much to see, and the local beer scene is profoundly lacking.

 

I was in the Yakima valley in June and the guy said it had been cool. Who says the Willamette hops came from Yakima?

There was an article a few years back about the low AA in Saaz hops due to the warm summers. Weather will influence AA.

 

Stan Hieronymus's new book Hops seems to answer your question.


Short answer is the weather for growing seasons can radically alter alpha acids.

Here's from pages 98-99 of the 2012 Brewer's Publication book:

"The 2011 season in the American Northwest was a reminder of why English hops grower and broker Chris Daws likes to say that after the hops are put on the string, the rest is "in the lap of the gods." Temperatures in the Yakima Valley were well below 50-year averages from May into August. Then it suddenly got hot. "It was perfect for cone development," said Riel. "It was the funniest maturing year I've seen in my life. The whole ranch was ready within a week's time."

Early maturing varieties were ready unusually late, but as farmers began to harvest them the heat arrived, and late maturing varieties were "ripe" early. Alpha acid levels rose quickly, but plant yields were down. For instance, alpha acids in Willamette hops grown in the Yakima region ranged between 7 and 9 percent, compared to a normal average of 4 to 5 percent. Centennial alpha acids reach 13 percent rather than 9 to 11 percent."

 

Yes, I know...I've been to Yakima for the hop festival....very similar to our rain shadow climate...but it DOES snow there...the chart provided in your link showed zero for every year.