I’ve been using US Goldings as flavor/aroma hops in my English-style beers for the past few years. I’ve been thinking of switching things up and wondered if anyone has used Willamettes as such in their English-style beers. Willamettes are related to Fuggles, so I figure they might work well in that context. Other suggestions for English flavor/aroma hops?
I’ve used them in many beers as both flavor and aroma hops. I’ve always liked the results. I may be able to say more in a month or two.
Last Saturday I made a Winter Warmer and a Scottish Ale using a good amount of Willamette. I’m trying to clean out the hop freezer so the next few beers will be, oh interesting, is a good word.
Last year I went through a Lb of Willamette. They are pretty good for British style beers.
Willamette is a Fuglles triploid, meaning that it has three sets of chromosones vs. two. This results in a more hardy plant, but the plant is sterile.
I’ve done okay in comp with a Brown Ale hopped with Willamette. More importantly, I enjoy it. I think it tends to make for a more easy-drinking beer. I think I prefer Fuggles for the darker tobacco-like notes, but Willamette, while a bit more innocuous, keeps enough of the Fuggle flavor to work.
Thanks for the replies! I think I might get a lb. of Willamette for experimenting with English-style ales. It might be interesting to use a combination of Goldings and Willamette for flavor/aroma additions.