Hop Experiment

Belma isn't worth wasting your time for dry hopping.

I'd try any other hop you haven't used. Amarillo, Citra, Simcoe, El Dorado, Chinook, Apollo..

Look up hops and their flavor counterparts, and find out what sounds good and interesting.

 

Try something European as well. I'd go with EKG.

 

Just buy a case of miller lite or bud screw top bottles and add dry hops to them, chill for a couple days to cold crash and drink. Bud/Miller/Coors are so light, they are perfect for detecting changes in hop flavor due to dry hopping. Anchor apparently does this to test dry hops.

Original Blog post here: http://www.bertusbrewery.com/2013/03/dry-hopped-bud-light.html

I did it here: http://ingenuitybrew.blogspot.com/2013/05/dry-hop-test-with-miler-lite-results.html

 

If you go through with making separate batches, why not throw one of the experimental hop varieties that you can purchase through Yakima Valley.

The suggestion is based on the fact that I want to do the same thing, but am totally lazy.

 

The way posted is a little confusing but I think I know what you mean. If Cascade is going in the boil it will give you the flavor, the dh is the aroma (which I know you understand). I've done this before and there is no reason not to get some decent beer along with the knowledge.

That said, I would minimize the Cascade (kettle addition) to give a more clear definition of the dh aromas. Definitely do a Mosiac and I would go out of my way to get Citra, IMO these are unique enough to be judged as a stand-alone hop. If not familiar with Centennial I would definitely get some. Amarillo is sometimes hard to get, but it's another basic IPA hop, perhaps Simcoe (normally not used as a stand-alone addition) or Willamette. I am not a big Columbus/Chinook fan, but others rave on it. The euro hops are so mild I really think they will be lost and would concentrate on the big aroma American hops. If you have temp control you want to dh in the 60-70 range.

The test @barfdiggs refers to is great, allows more testing in a shorter time. Ideally get friends and everyone chip in some hops and have a sampling party. Keep good notes.

 

I really like what citra and Chinook bring to the party when it comes to dryhopping. But then, I already split a batch and did this with citra, forever carving a place in my heart for citra as a dryhop. I want to do this again with nelson though.

 

Glacier and Calypso might be interesting.

 

Some that I would try. Mosaic, Nelson, Huell Melon, Mandarina Bavaria, and Polaris.

I saw you didn't care for a Citra/Galaxy beer, but I blame that on the Citra, which gets overpowering really quick. So Galaxy by itself might be a good option. Mosaic is awesome. Nelson just confuses me. One week I'll like it, the next I'll hate it. The rest on my list I never tried, but sound interesting.

 

Farmhouse brewing supply has Hull Melon, but only in 4oz packages.

 

See this kind of honesty boosts someone's credibility big time.

I'd have to use mickey's big mouths if I were so inclined to perform such an experiment.

Oh I agree don't use belma, it's basically fruity and earthy but suited more for stouts or bittering than for dry hopping pale ales or IPAs.