BeerBorg

I'm getting ready to brew up an English Brown Ale. I could have sworn I had a package of UK Kent Goldings in my collection but now I discovered that I don't. I already have the grain crushed so I'm go to launch weather I like it or not. No LHBS open on Sunday. I've got some German Hallertau, Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, New Zealand Nelson Sauvin and Citra whole leaf. Checking on Hop Union's web site none of these are listed as potential substitutes. Which one of these does the Borg (the real authorities) feel would be a suitable substitute?

And yes, next time I'll make sure I have what I need before I push the little "send order" button.

The Hallertau should be ok..I used it in a Scottish ale once and while not to style had a good flavor and was not overly bitter.

First on an English style are you planning on doing any flavoring additions or are you only going to do a bittering addition? If you are only going to do a bittering addition Either Cascade or Hallertou would work. My choice would be the cascade because the AA% is probably higher. If you are going to do any flavoring additions I would definitely go with the Hallertou.

I'd pick the Hallertau also we've used it and it is a very mellow hop.

Gymrat wrote:First on an English style are you planning on doing any flavoring additions or are you only going to do a bittering addition? If you are only going to do a bittering addition Either Cascade or Hallertou would work. My choice would be the cascade because the AA% is probably higher. If you are going to do any flavoring additions I would definitely go with the Hallertou.

The recipe calls for one hop boil at 60 minutes. I'm thinking of the Hallertau to try to stay as close to style as I can. I'm afraid the cascade will make it too bitter.

The reason I was thinking cascade is because they are generally around 5.5% AA which is perfect for a 1.050ish beer. If you don't do a FWH you won't taste the hop at all. Hallertou starts leaning closer to 4% which may or may not balance the sweetness from your beer depending on the gravity of it. I have used cascades to bitter my Irish Red Ales and Fuggles to flavor them with very good results.

The cascade I have is 6.2% AA. But you may have something there with the FWH. I think I know how to do it in theory but have never done it. Do I add the hops as soon as I'm done mashing and then just leave them in there for the boil?

Yes that is how you FWH. It softens the bitterness. Some say it adds some hop flavor but I have never detected that.

Cascade is a good flavoring and aroma hop. I ever used it for bitter, It got a citrus flavor and aroma, so 60 mins or more may do the trick.

Gymrat wrote:Yes that is how you FWH. It softens the bitterness. Some say it adds some hop flavor but I have never detected that.

Alright. I'll try it. If I don't like the beer then I'm going to send it to you and you can deal with it.
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I think a mix of the Hallertau and Cascade would make a nice beer.

Chuck N wrote:

Gymrat wrote:Yes that is how you FWH. It softens the bitterness. Some say it adds some hop flavor but I have never detected that.

Alright. I'll try it. If I don't like the beer then I'm going to send it to you and you can deal with it.
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I am willing to do whatever it takes to help a fellow home brewer.