Tart Flavor, Hops?

[John Sand]

My APAs generally have a flavor I find slightly tart. I also taste it in Sierra Nevada, so I don't think it is a mistake. I realize that something like that could come from the mash, or the yeast. But those brews have all had a fair amount of Centennial, Cascade, or both. I am thinking of ordering more hops, and want different varieties for APA. Does anyone else get that flavor from hops? (It's not unpleasant) What are your favorite APA hops?

[Dawg LB Steve]

Amarillo and Nelson Sauvin play really nice together.

[BlackDuck]

My favorites for a Pale Ale are the four "C" hops. Centennial, Chinook, Cascade and Columbus. And I think the key to a good Pale Ale is the grain bill. You need the right amount of crystal in it to give it a nice sweetness that will balance the hops perfectly. Not enough sweetness and your getting close to IPA hopiness and bite, and too much sweetness and your getting close to caramel in an amber. Balance is important for these ales.

[John Sand]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm pretty confident in the recipes, they are all from Brewing Classic Styles, Clone Brews or well tried HomeBrewTalk recipes.

[Kealia]

I'm a big fan of Amarillo, Simcoe and Nelson Sauvin.

And Citra, and Mosiac.

Generally speaking I think the 4 big "C's" at near the bottom of my list but when used in the right combinations can be great (i.e. BlackDucks' Pale Ale is outstanding).

[jimjohson]

I use Cluster(flavor and aroma) in my APAs

[John Sand]

I have some Simcoe, Warrior and Chinnook on hand. I already plan to order some Cluster, trying to clone my Old Garden Ale. I guess Amarillo is next, and why not some Nelson Sauvin? Hmmm, brew an APA and split it with different flavor hops?