I discovered that SWMBO

[mashani]

Thinks Simcoe smells like cat pee. So strongly that it overpowers everything else.

I've heard people say that it reminded them of cat pee (along with some other hops too) and they don't like it but to me it doesn't, and I'm the one who's always changing the litter boxes, so you'd think I'd be the one who would find it horrible, but I love the stuff.

Oh well more beer for me!

[Beer-lord]

I don't get cat pee from Simcoe. It's one of my most favorite hops of all.

[Knightmare]

As much as I love Simcoe, I have to agree, it does have a bit of cat pee aroma to it if used in excess. I try to use in moderation most of the time.... It weird, but that's the only hop that gives me that aroma heebeejeebee sometimes.

[Dawg LB Steve]

Had people describe Mosaic as cat pee, too.

[Inkleg]

When I use cat pee to describe Simcoe, it's more to reference the hit you in the nose aroma that you get from it. Like you get when cleaning a litter box. I've never gotten the ammonia smell that most think of when describing cat pee, more dank, resiny, piney that smells oh so good.

[Kealia]

I don't get that either. Oddly enough, I can't really smell cat pee but my wife can and she's never mentioned that when smelling my beers (or Pliny, etc.).

[mashani]

Had people describe Mosaic as cat pee, too.

That makes sense as it's somewhat related to Simcoe.

@Knightmare, the beer in question was pretty much "in moderation" when it comes to me and Simcoe. There was 1/2oz in a 2.5 gallon batch (all of it as flavor/aroma hops though). To me it's mellow. To her it was "aaaaah!".

[RedBEERd]

Would That be the darkness that people are smelling? I kind of like it

[FedoraDave]

FedoraDave's American Ale is a nearly SMaSH recipe, using Simcoe exclusively throughout. While I've had beers that reeked strongly of cat pee, I don't get that from my American Ale. Citrus with a little pine resin, I'd say. But I can see, if used in excess, it could turn catty.