Ok so i have a bunch of different hops in stock that i only used like 0.5 onz or so. With time the pellets will lose their aa for what i read. Is there much difference in flavor if i use a flavor aroma hop for bittering? I know ill probably need more but my idea is to use all this hops before they get old and lose properties. Im talking about 60 min boil hops. And i know higher aa levels hop work better because i dont have to use much, but it will change the taste of a beer? For example i have a bunch of simcoe and i wanna get rid of it but not throwing away, maybe i can use it as a bittering hop?
I used to use simcoe for bittering all the time when my LHBS had a great price per lb. It's a great dual source hop. Because of the cost I never use it anymore but it won't have any negative impact on your beer.
It kind of depends on the style, as delicate beers without much hop flavor stand out on hop additions, but in general additions at 60 minute + in the boil add no or little perceived hop flavor or aroma, just bitterness. To me there are two issues with bittering hop additions. How "clean" is the hop profile and how much hop "gunk" do I have to filter out of primary. In general for a very high IBU style like an IPA I want to use the cleanest highest AA hop variety for bittering. For a more modest bitter style, especially one where I want my mid and late hop additions to shine (like an English Bitter or German Pilsner) I like to use a moderate AA dual purpose bittering addition to give me more room to add IBUs and hop character with my later additions. So to directly answer your question, if you are making a high AA style bitter with whatever you want, as long as you dont mind a potential harsh bitterness or excess hop trub. If you are making a lower AA style, be judicious in what you use for a bittering hop, as it might overwhelm the style
