FYI
Well, that’s too bad, but it’s good that there is still an abundant amount.
When is the 2012 harvest in the US?
Any time now depending on where the farm is. In the US basically end of August through beginning of October.
Thanks for sharing.
Kai
Well, today it’s good to hear that supply and prices shouldn’t be affected, although I wonder if that only applies to commercial brewers with contracts.
FWIW, if you’re pressed for an alternative to Czech Saaz, I highly recommend Ultra. I got some from Freshops this spring and I’ve been using them in every recipe calling for a noble hop since. They are the closest thing to Saaz I’ve tried. They smell and taste fantastic, with a touch of that cinnamon note I get from Saaz.
Ultra was bred from hallertau mittlefrueh, but being grown in the USA it might work for a saaz sub.
Try Sterling sometime, that was bred from Saaz.
Ultra is actually 1/6 Saaz (2/3 HMf and 1/6 ??? as well). But I take hop lineage with a grain of salt as Cascade was bred from Fuggles, and Citra was bred from Hallertauer and Tett.
Having said that, Sterling is on my hop wish list and I’ll probably snap some up if I see a good deal on them in bulk this season.
Didn’t know Ultra had some Saaz, but it has reminded me of HM when I have used it.
Yeah Cascade is Fuggles and Serabrianka(SP).
Stan Hieronymus said Citra was from Hallertau, US Tettnanger(which is fuggles DNA), and about 3 or 4 more. Listen to his talk in the Members section.
We should like Fuggles then, but some say it tastes like dirt. ;D
Stan also said that Saaz=Tettnanger=Spalt=Lublin as far as DNA testing goes. Terroir is the difference.
yeah, that was a real shocker for me!
And BTW, Fuggles DOES taste like dirt! 
Denny, that’s not dirt you’re tasting… It’s terroir!
If thats the case then… mmmm Dirt ;D
;D
New harvest of continental hops are available in the US in mid to late February of the next year.