Reveal your secrets! What/how are you doing to coax the best out of this hop? I can’t seem to eek out the glorious orange-y perfume-y magic that is in THA or Centennial IPA and I’ve been brewing a long time. Are we just stuck with 2nd rate hops since the pros snatch the cream of the crop (somewhat my current theory). If anyone here is in Centennial nirvana, help a brother out. Call me old school, but I think a Centennial IPA walks over the current dank/tropical offerings…
As much as I love Centennial, it seems to have been hit or miss for me the past couple of years. Depending on where I purchase the hops from seems to have an effect on the hop quality provided. I have had one batch that had very little aroma (oxidized almost?) and another batch that was quite floral.
It’s hit or miss from year to year for me, too. I get the best flavor from any American-type hop with a whirlpool steep and the best aroma from dry hopping. but year to year it’s a crap shoot. I have some 2015 Cent now that’s just ok to me. Not especially citrusy, just ok. It’s a shame because when it’s good, it’s a really good hop.
Thanks for the confirmations. That’s life I guess… I did have some really good results in the past using homegrown Cents but I find the whole hop growing thing a PITA. I wonder if there is some way to track down a grower/supplier that had a good crop? I am more than willing to pay additional for it. Also, any thoughts that Cents might be better as a whole leaf and maybe pelletizing is the culprit?
I say it over and over, but Hop Heaven has spectacular hops, including Centennial. At least, the Centennial I got from them a few months ago were great. Keep in mind, though, that Centennial is a hop that growers hate due to its variability and difficulty to grow. When asked if there was one hop they’d like to get rid of, every grower on a panel I attended named Centennial. But they also all said that it was so popular that would never happen.
+1
Hop Heaven has fantastic hops. I just got an order recently and the deep dark green freshness of pellets was striking.
Well I’m sold. I want to try some of his Centennial.
Isn’t Hop Heaven the ebay store? No Cents!!! 
I treat Centennial like any other hop. I have gone to only 3 additions on all my (D)IPAs. 1) FWH with a 90 minute boil. 2) Whirlpool/Steep for 15-20 minutes at flameout. 3) Keg hop. That gives me a blend of bitterness/flavor/aroma that I really like.
Yep. I can also put you in touch with him directly.
Hmmmm. http://brulosophy.com/2015/02/23/whole-leaf-vs-pellet-hops-part-1-dry-hop-exbeeriment-results/ I used to be a big Freshops/whole hop fan in the day. I feel a real old school brew a comin’…
Me, too. Dave at Freshops is a good friend. But once I tried Ted’s hops…
“Oh?! So you’re a friend of Denny’s?” (looks to see if anyone is watching and reaches under the counter) ;D
Is Admiral Hops a possible switch for the citrusy (some say orange, but I have had different results) flavor for beer? Maybe back up whirlpool, dry hop with Centennial but FB the Admiral? Idk just thinking out of the box here.
*Or Amarillo
Never used Admiral, but Amarillo won’t give you the same floral notes that Centennial will. Amarillo is much more orangey/citrusy. They’re both favorites of mine but for different reasons.
I brewed a pale ale with admiral and goldings for bittering, flavor, and aroma additions. I got a fruity effect (not citrus) from the admiral that I wasn’t really thrilled with, although it has faded a bit.
If you want something like THA use centennial, and the Bell’s yeast. Under pitch and ferment hotter than you usually would.
Is the 2015 Centennial your not so thrilled with from Yakima Valley Hops? I just bought some from there. Only 2 oz pack though. So no biggie.
I have some 2015 from them and Farmhouse that’s pretty decent, just not great to me. Centennial varies a lot year to year, field to field even IMO.
In the spirit of this thread, I picked up a fresh growler of Founder’s Centennial IPA and was not overly impressed. It still wipes the floor over homebrewed examples I’ve had, but it was was not “I can smell it across the table and we’re in a barbecue joint” as my wife once put it. ;D Now that I think about it, It’s been a few years ago since I had some stellar cent examples.