What should I make with them? And can you tell me anything about these hops other than the watermelon thing?
I've got them in the hop freezer... as soon as I come back from my brewing hiatus its either an APA, West Coast Bitter or IPA for them.
Where did you get these? Ive never even heard of them before, I first thought this was some new legislation you were gonna complain/advocate about
Me complain/advocate? HB isn't HouseBill...probably hopbomb? : ) from: Farmhousebrewingsupply.com (don't know why the link/hyperlink's not working)...also picked up 1/4# of Centennials...I'm such a sucker this time of year
Its been a week, so thats about 4 batches worth For me, a West Coast bitter is a 4 - 4.5% bitter using American malt (Crystal and Base) and American hops (Typically C-hops or Simcoe or HBC342.. hint. hint.). Stone's Kelsey McNair Ballast Point Collab was originally called a West Coast Bitter at the AHA Rally (I think).
I had an IPA a friend brewed with them (we split a pound, I've yet to use mine). It smelled like a mix between a Jolly Rancher and pine sol... Good but VERY different.
I used british base (Golden Promise) with an IPA hopping schedule & a BU:GU of ~1. 1.040 OG, 3.7% (mashed high). Delicious.
Wyeast 1028 was used, and the recipe is http://hopville.com/recipe/1173638/special-best-premium-bitter-recipes/west-coast-bitter if you care. No sugar, and it has just enough malt backbone to it to support the hops. If I were to do it again, I would inch up the bittering addition as I would like a bit bigger of a bite. This was a merger of the West Coast Bitter from BA's home brewing column about 18 months ago & Mad Fermentationist's (Oldsock) Vienna Half-IPA.
I did a single hop IPA with these. I actually bittered with warrior, so close to a sinlge hop. So, as far as bittering qualities go, I'm not sure. I think you'd be wasting this hop if using it for bittering anyways. I did a 30, 15, 5, 0 min, and dry hop with this beer, totaling 6oz. The aroma and flavor are very balenced, I would describe it as citrusy, but it does have a melon characteristic to it. I personally think it has a strawberry/blueberry aroma and flavor. It makes a great IPA. To me this hop isn't mind blowing like Citra, Simcoe, Nelson Sauvin or Amarillo. I think this hop needs to be blended with other varieties to get its full potential. I'm thinking this hop with Amarillo or Nelson Sauvin would turn out great. Especially, like other people suggested in a American Wheat Beer. Overall a good hop with a different profile.
