BBC: "Thirst for US craft beers boosts demand for British hops"

An interesting read, particularly the bit about climate and flavour development. I wonder how much of it is really down to that and how much to the cultivar?

 

Thanks for sharing. I tend to like that "earthy" flavor.

 

I've tried US, UK and NZ grown cascade in homebrews and they are all fairly different, much more than you would expect considering they are supposed to be genetically identical. The UK one was certainly the most mellow, the NZ most vibrant

British hops are certainly mellower, it makes me wonder what our more pungent hops like Admiral or Endeavour or Pioneer would be like if grown in NZ or the US, if they were suitable that is

 

"Only a fraction of the hops are used in lager as are used to make an English real ale."

Is this actually true, as far as world wide lager beer production (by style, not volume) goes?

 

Yeah, thought the same thing --- but, after all, even 9/10* is a "fraction".

* Used as an example. Not an actual average of Euro lager
hop usage compared to that of the average English ale. ​

 

I believe what the author meant was that the hops by weight used in continental lagers are so much lower than traditional British Real Ale that domestic hop usage in general has fallen with the rise of the lager's popularity in the country.

 

Terroir is something Stan Hieronymus writes about in his Book and articles. It is real for hops.

it is true.

English real ale would have 30+ IBU, a late kettle addition, and dry hops.
A typical lager beer (not Pilsner) would have <30 IBU and a small or no late addition, no dry hops.

 

The terroir aspect was clearly illustrated by prices hops would fetch from different areas , Kent hops fetched significantly higher prices than those from neighbouring Sussex which in turn were more expensive than Worcester hops.Also it was found that whereas farmer A grew excellent Goldings, Farmer B , just a few miles away , found his land more suited to Goldings cultivation.
Hops grow anywhere - my local lanes are rampant with them at the moment- but good quality brewing hops can only grow in a few favoured locations. Same as grapes and malting barley , don't grow them in your backyard and expect spectacular results.

 

The ones in my backyard have been fine. A local pro likes to dry hop with them. The Brewers really like the Chinook as it is not Caty. The European ones don't yield much, and the Goldings didn't like our weather. So I agree and disagree.

 

Interesting - I was vaguely aware of the terroir aspect of hops but haven't thought about it much. I have one of his books, I just haven't read it yet

 

I would love to see some of the more subtle British hops to make their way into some of the American breweries. As much as I love the zest and power of the Nelson and other more pungent aroma and flavoring hops, I have developed an affinity for the finesse present in some of the English styles.

 

This Book, forgot to link above.

 

Yup, that's the one. I should really dig it out....

 

I remember the Young's London Special as a very hoppy and pungent beer, traditional surely, but ahead of US hop heavy pales and ipas. The hops I saw in Kent County were beautiful and so aromatic. I think many American ale lovers would be stunned by the quality and diversity of English ales.