higher alpha subs for noble hops

[chumley]

@hopfenundmalz

@chumley

Instead of looking for high alpha acid substitutes for noble hops, you should stick with noble hops for flavor/aroma additions, and instead use the high alpha acid hops for bittering.

For lagers, I like Perle, Clusters, Styrian Goldings, Northern Brewer, and Magnum for bittering, in about that order. In the past I have tried varieties like Galena, Santiam and Vanguard for bittering, and found them to impart just enough American hop flavor to be distracting.

So, Cluster does not impart American hops flavor? I use Cluster in the CAP I brew, and have no problem with it in there. Fresh it does have the blackcurrant flavor that I don’t associate with noble hops.

I should clarify that the bittering hops I like using for lagers are not substitute for noble hops, but the slight flavors they impart (used as bittering hops) complement the noble hops flavor.  As Jeff points out, Clusters works well in a CAP, especially if you finish it off with Saaz. Its also good in other pilsner styles = Pilsner Urquell  uses Clusters as a bittering hop.

Perle I think of as being somewhat minty, Northern Brewer as earthy, and Styrian Goldings also with a blackcurrant note. They all seem to compliment noble hops in lagers. I used to use Magnum quite a bit, it almost seems a little too clean (kind of like eating walleyes, I prefer eating fish that tastes like fish).