Matching IBUs with different AA hops

[klickitat_jim]

I know that in a low IBU low hop flavor beer that a few more or less grams at 60 min can and does effect final flavor. So it stands to reason that in a more bitter style a different bittering hop will make a noticeable difference even though the calculated IBUs are the same. Plus, I took dennys advice and tried Chinook in place of Magnum at same calculated IBUs and for me it’s entirely different

[jonhughey_att.net (HoosierBrew)]

@klickitat_jim

Plus, I took dennys advice and tried Chinook in place of Magnum at same calculated IBUs and for me it’s entirely different

Yeah, Magnum (or Warrior) vs Chinook (or Columbus) for 60 mins can have exactly equal IBUs but the quality of the bitterness is light years apart.

[MartinE (martinj)]

@yso191

I’m definitely on board with Denny and Dave here. Try bittering a given beer to about 40-45 IBUs with any noble hop, then try, say, chinook to the same 40-45 IBUs. I absolutely guarantee the difference will be very noticeable.

But is the difference in bitterness or in what is typically described as flavor?  For example if I bitter with Amarillo with no late additions or dry hopping, will I get citrus/tangerine in the final product?  I doubt it.

My guess is that the different bittering hops just present different bittering flavors - different alpha acid makeup - but I seriously doubt any noticeable oils remain after a 60 minute boil.  For me to be convinced it would take a lab evaluation.

I’m talking about bitterness.  I get that the flavor is going to be different as well, and I also get that it’s difficult to draw a distinction at times. But I’m talking about the fact that the perception of the bitterness itself is different.

[hopfenundmalz]

@klickitat_jim

Plus, I took dennys advice and tried Chinook in place of Magnum at same calculated IBUs and for me it’s entirely different

Yeah, Magnum (or Warrior) vs Chinook (or Columbus) for 60 mins can have exactly equal IBUs but the quality of the bitterness is light years apart.

Calculated or measured?

There has been some more recent research that says cohomulone is more water soluble, and more isomorizes, so you get a higher actual bitterness.

[jonhughey_att.net (HoosierBrew)]

@hopfenundmalz

@klickitat_jim

Plus, I took dennys advice and tried Chinook in place of Magnum at same calculated IBUs and for me it’s entirely different

Yeah, Magnum (or Warrior) vs Chinook (or Columbus) for 60 mins can have exactly equal IBUs but the quality of the bitterness is light years apart.

Calculated or measured?

There has been some more recent research that says cohomulone is more water soluble, and more isomorizes, so you get a higher actual bitterness.

I meant calculated in software, not measured. I hadn’t heard that about cohumulone. Pretty interesting.