I’ve used some 2014 Columbus hops today and they smell very much like onions and garlic. I’ve never gotten this aroma before from Columbus and I’ve used them a lot. I got them from Yakima Valley Hops and I was wondering if anybody else has had a similar experience. I thought that it could just be a particular crop this year or maybe worse they mixed up the packaging and I got Summit or something.
Dan, I’ve used their 2014 Columbus pellets and not gotten any of that. And I avoid Summit because of the onion /garlic thing. I use a fair amount of Columbus but obviously I can only speak for what I’ve used. Did you blend it with any other hops, out of curiosity?
EDIT - Mine are from YVH, too.
I have a bag, from YVH even, that I’ll be braking down tomorrow. I’ll report back.
I did blend it with other hops at flameout, but the smell was right out of the bag and when I added it to the boil for my 60 min. addition. I only added the Columbus at the 60 min. addition and I could smell this same onion/garlic aroma in the wort. Like I said, I’ve used Columbus for over 8 years and I’ve never had this aroma before. I’m starting to think that the packaging was mixed up and I got Summit which I really don’t like at all.
Well I hope you didn’t get the wrong one by accident. I agree, I’ve used a lot of Columbus and never had that issue with it. I’ve always had good luck with YVH.
I sent them an e-mail and it probably was just a labeling mistake or something. I think I’m going to either give these away or pitch them like I did with the Summit hops I got a couple of years ago. I like onions and garlic in my food, but not in my beer.
I’m with you. Too many good varieties out there to use Summit!
A few people have mentioned that the “onion/garlic” thing may not have as much to do with the type of hop as much as when it was harvested (later on the bine I believe).
I bought a pound of 2014 Columbus (CTZ) from YVH in December. Smells and tastes fine.