I’m planning on brewing a Smash a bit later in the year and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for an interesting, underappreciated hops to use. I’m not looking to brew any particular beer style, just looking for something that I haven’t used or tasted a million times (no “C” hops!).
I will be pairing them with a local maltsters Vienna, a malt that I’m trying to get a better handle on as I think I’m underutilizing it.
Some thoughts I had, based on the fact that I haven’t ever used them before:
Ahtanum
Kazbek
Palisade
Sterling
Strisselspalt
You can assume a pretty straightforward beer…
1.050
30-40 IBU’s (bitter, late, small dry hop)
BRY-97
…something like that.
Caliente and Meridian are two fantastic hop varieties that you don’t hear about too much. I’d definitely try those out. Also, if you haven’t considered them as a late hop or in an APA-type recipe like this, then consider trying Apollo, Sterling and Motueka. I always considered Apollo a bittering hop, but it actually has loads of citrus/tangerine/orange peel when used late. Sterling and Motueka are more subtle, but a SMaSH will let you see what they have to offer at higher late hopping rates when not overpowered by other hops.
Sterling is an interesting hop. I just do not know what to do with it. It is not close enough to Czech Saaz for my taste. Atleast Mt. Hood and Liberty are close enough to Mittelfrüh to be subs lager blends. Sterling is its own thing.
For those who are familiar with Sterling, any tips on showcasing the Sterling hops without hiding the Vienna malt?
This will be a 3gallon batch into fermenter with about 7# Vienna.
My thinking is something along these lines:
60 minutes: ≈ 30 IBU’s
10 minutes: ≈ 10 IBU’s
0 Minutes: .5oz
Dry Hop (3 days): .25oz
Interesting, I find that it is pretty close to Saaz for my liking unless I do a large flameout or dry hop addition. At that point it starts to get some lemonade character.
I ended up making this, for a 2.5 gallon (packaged) batch.
7# Deer Creek Sweet Liberty (Vienna)
17 IBU’s Sterling at 60
12 IBU’s Sterling at 10
.75 oz Sterling (IBU’s…who knows?) at 0.
.25 oz Sterling Dry Hop in Keg at packaging.
Tasting notes for the Sterling:
Awesome, unique, herbal nose. Not any particular herb, but herbal is the best way I can describe it. My wife has a little herb garden and it kind of reminds me of that. Taste is more sharp spice and tea-like. A bit piney and a touch of grass (keg hopping?) but not overly so. If I squint I can pretend I’m getting some mint. Not getting any citrus or fruit.
Hard to give any tasting notes on the malt because Sterling was the clear star. I get some caramel and bread, but (note to self) if I wanted to showcase the malt, I obviously designed a poor recipe for that.
This beer came out super enjoyable and I thank you all for introducing me to Sterling. Best part of the beer is just sticking your nose in the glass and getting a nice hop buzz! That aroma! I always think SMaSHes lean to academic research, but they can make great beer and definitely are a lot of fun.
I like your choice of Vienna as the single malt. I did the same once with homegrown Cascades- was a great beer that I called Springtime in Vienna. Should brew that again sometime…
