My 2023 Czech Saaz hop pellets just arrived from Yakima Valley hops. 2.0% AAU! I’ve seen them get lower in bitterness over the years, but this is the lowest I think I have ever seen them. Guess I will be using Cluster again for bittering from my Czech pilsners.
Yep, just got a pound the other day and was surprised by how low they are.
i hear you, i got some hallertau this year that were 2.5% and i was sort of prepared for that, but hoping for 3.5 to 4%.
it makes me avoid noble hops, including saaz since reviews on the saaz page where i buy from indicate some crazy low percentages people were unhappy with at times
I’m in the same boat, I’ve given up on noble hops for bittering. I bought a pound of 2023 Hallertau Magnum that’s 12% AA so I’ll be using that at 60 minutes to hit my IBU targets. I made a hop tea with some 2022 Czech Saaz from YVH and the aroma seems off as well (if the hop tea is a good indicator). Another option would be Michigan-grown Zuper Saazer at about 5.6%AA in 2023. I also made a hop tea with these and was impressed. Maybe not exactly the same as CZ Saaz but very nice.
My lb. of Hallertau is 1.8% AA. Yea, Magnum for bittering. I did load up at the 5 min. mark and flameout.
I have had good results with Edelweisse hops from Hop Heaven. The batch I have now is 5.8%
controversial opinion here, but it has been years and years since I got a batch of saaz or HMF that I thought was very good. I’ve since switched to domestic “noble” hops and been much happier with the results.
Not controversial. It all depends on your source. I have been getting excellent HMF and Saaz. It can happen.
Ditto. My Saaz beers, and from others, often taste sort of like lemon, which I don’t expect – I’m looking for floral character but all I get is a weird citrus with something else off.
I have switched to Willamette and much happier. I might try cone Saaz, maybe they’re a lot different from pellets, who knows.
I’ve ordered from YVH and Hop Heaven, both very trusted hop sources, and their continental hops just werent as good as Liberty and Mt. Hood.
Interesting. I get mine from my LHBS and they don’t source from either of those. https://www.homefermenter.com/ if you want to give them a try.
As the Summers get hotter in the EU, the AA decreases.
Only about 1/3 of the German growers irrigate. The ones that have irrigation won’t be as low.