FWIW, HopsDirect.com still has a pretty good supply, particularly of some of the hard-to-find varieties at reasonable prices - Amarillo $18.40/lb, Citra $17.35/lb, for example. They're supplying homebrewers for months instead of minutes as they have in the past few years. I think it's safe to say that the 'shortage' of five years ago is behind us (has it really been that long?). Though I must say yakimavalley has a really nice selection!
how long do hops last if they are vacuumed sealed? what is the proper way to store hops for future use?
I have never brewed with Amarillo so I picked up a pound. There has been some debate on my brew club forum that Amarillo's flavor and aroma is not as good as it once was. Has anyone else noticed this?
never mind^ I found my answer. last up to a couple years as long as they are vacuumed sealed and stored between 20-30 degrees
Some variation in hop variety in maintaining freshness. Here's a pretty good source with guidelines on storability and other hop traits: http://beerlegends.com/hops-varieties You definitely want to vacuum seal (I use mason jars) and colder is better (think freezer temps). Sources claim a couple of years if you do everything correctly.
I notice the variation in most all hops. I think it's more apparent in the high alpha hops though. I thought last years Amarillos were very good, compared to the previous year. I just got my 2013 Amarillos, I might brew a PA this weekend with them to check them out, but then again, I may switch to chinook too.
After all the hype over this varity I had to buy them. I am going to brew a single varity IPA with these. Probably will not get to this for a few months as I have my next two batches planed. Take care.
How long hops will stay ‘good’ is a function of: Format: pellets vs. whole Packaging: nitrogen flushed in an oxygen impermeable bag (e.g. mylar) Storage Temperature (store in the freezer). Hopunion states that pellets in their packaging (and stored in the freezer) can last for 3-4 years: “Hop deterioration is impacted by numerous variables, the two most important being heat exposure and oxidation. For properly sealed, nitrogen flushed pellets, customers can expect a 3-4 year life expectancy. Raw hops however have a much shorter life span (approximately 6 months to 1 year). Regardless of the product size or packaging, hops should be stored in a cold, air tight environment to ensure optimum freshness and quality.” Cheers!
also...some varieties of hops store better than others and pellets seem to store a little better than whole cones.
I've bought Amarillo for a few years now...fairly often...doesn't seem any less grapefruit bomb than normal. I think you are having a 'Amarillo/New hop on the block Threshold Shift" (I know I am )
That is rather likely actually. Just in case, I will be dryhopping an IPA with a boatload of Amarillo this weekend to be sure.
Maybe. Maybe not. Spoke with a Virgil Gamache Farms rep (they hold the Amarillo patent) in early DEC who said they increased their Amarillo acreage this year with a new a planting in Idaho (IIRC) but weather got the best of them.
