Hop Suggestions first brew

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Frankinstiener, Feb 23, 2013.

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  1. Frankinstiener

    Frankinstiener Initiate (0) Jul 28, 2009 Illinois

    I am getting ready to brew my first 5 gallon batch of beer. It's a double IPA kit from brewers best. It comes with 4 oz of Columbus and 2 oz of cascade pellets. The kit says To add 2 oz of Columbus right away then another 2 oz of Columbus after 45 minutes then to add the 2oz of Cascade when terminating boil. Since it doesn't come with any hops for a dry hop I attempted to order 1 extra oz of cascade for dry hop, but I accidentally got Cluster instead of Cascade and they are raw hops not pellets. Will Cluster hops go okay with this recipe? Would it be better to change up the hop schedule? I don't mind changing the hop schedule even though it's my first batch. Also if it helps the specialty grains are 8 oz caramel & 4 oz carapils, and the fermentables are 9.9 lb of light LME & 1 lb. corn sugar. Any suggestions at all for my first batch would be greatly appreciated.
     
    #1 Frankinstiener, Feb 23, 2013
  2. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    just based on the fact that this is a kit and that it is your first brew, whoa partner.

    my suggestion is to follow the kit accurately. its been tweaked a hundred times. how would you know what your changes accomplish?
    there is alot of variables in brewing and that is part of what keeps it interesting for veteran homebrewing. but not unlike baking a cake, you really don't want to change it up until you have a good idea of how things are done.

    for now, try to get the process right. plenty of time to screw around with the brew later. and screw around you will. homebrewering is where the crazy stuff happens and we all benefit.
    Cheers.
    btw, Cluster is obnoxious. some brewers like them but they are crazy.
     
    #2 billandsuz, Feb 23, 2013
  3. Frankinstiener

    Frankinstiener Initiate (0) Jul 28, 2009 Illinois

    I hear ya. All i wanted to change was to add a dry hop with some cascades. But, since I got cluster on accident, I'm worried about adding them.
     
    #3 Frankinstiener, Feb 23, 2013
  4. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    go for it. they aren't a substitute for cascade and they aren't anyones goto hop for aroma. i don't think they are anyones goto for anything around here. cluster has lost alot of acreage over the years but its very big with AB.

    toss them into the secondary. you probably wont cause a disaster. you should know that european brewers have been known to remark that cluster has a cat-piss quality. no kidding.
    Cheers.
     
    #4 billandsuz, Feb 23, 2013
  5. hopsandmalt

    hopsandmalt Initiate (0) Dec 14, 2006 Michigan

    To me Cluster =cat piss. I wouldn't use them unless I was on a desert island and they were the only hops growing there.
    If I were you I'd follow the kit instructions with this batch and dryhop your next batch. Maybe it will be a study in what dryhopping brings to the mix. Maybe even brew the same kit to limit the variables.
     
    #5 hopsandmalt, Feb 23, 2013
  6. Frankinstiener

    Frankinstiener Initiate (0) Jul 28, 2009 Illinois

    cat piss isn't really my thing. I think I will leave them out, thanks guys
     
    #6 Frankinstiener, Feb 23, 2013
  7. yinzer

    yinzer Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2006 Pennsylvania

    I'm going to brew a smash cluster IPA, FWH cluster, 30 minute cluster, 10 minute cluster, 5 minute cluster, cluster hop stand, cluster, cluster, cluster, spam, spam, spam.

    I admit, I have a vehicle to experience cat piss. Just never wanted too, now I can.
     
    #7 yinzer, Feb 23, 2013
    hopsandmalt and AlCaponeJunior like this.
  8. AlCaponeJunior

    AlCaponeJunior Grand Pooh-Bah (3,452) May 21, 2010 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I just used cluster and didn't detect any cat piss. But then I don't get cat pee from citra either. I swear I'm going to make "cat pee ale" using all cluster and citra just to see if I can see what everyone is talking about. :rolling_eyes:

    I would just stick with the recipe. However, if you toss in one ounce of dry hops, it won't hurt anything, even if they're cluster (IMO). Leaf hops will soak up more wort than pellets, but with only once ounce it won't be noticeable.
     
    #8 AlCaponeJunior, Feb 23, 2013
  9. hopsandmalt

    hopsandmalt Initiate (0) Dec 14, 2006 Michigan

    FT bottle of American short hair cat urine ISO homebrewed BCBS clone
     
    #9 hopsandmalt, Feb 23, 2013
  10. AlCaponeJunior

    AlCaponeJunior Grand Pooh-Bah (3,452) May 21, 2010 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I never thought I'd have to say "you beat me to it" when it comes to cat pee ale. :rolling_eyes:
     
    #10 AlCaponeJunior, Feb 23, 2013
  11. yinzer

    yinzer Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2006 Pennsylvania


    So I won the Golden Globe posting award? No pun intended.
     
    #11 yinzer, Feb 23, 2013
    AlCaponeJunior likes this.
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