Polaris hop mess

Ok, I brewed up an all Polaris IPA. The sample going into the keg indicates a grassy minty mess. The bitterness seems nice but at this point I would highly recommend not loading up on Polaris for late boil.

Anyone have an experience with Polaris? I saw a couple older threads but nothing solid.

5 gallon batch:
.5oz - 60 minute
1oz - 15 minute
1.25oz - 5 minute
1.25oz - 0 minute
2oz - 7 day dry hop

The dry hop probably took it over the top... Maybe it will calm down in the keg...

Polaris has 2-4x the hop oils of most varieties so I say definitely give it some time. The 'glacier candy' description has scared me away from using it cause mint beer makes me think toothpaste taste from brushing followed by a brew.

I hear ya. I'm really hoping it calms down in the keg because right now it tastes like mouthwash and fresh grass clippings. :cross:

I got a majority of the Polaris used in this batch free so I figured what the heck.

Update:

This beer really calmed down in the keg... The grassiness is gone and a light 'cool mint' flavor remains. The nose is much the same but extremely faint. The bitterness is very very nice.

I still would not recommend loading up on late hopping and/or dry hopping of Polaris. However, for bittering and judicious flavoring it could make some nice unique brews.

-Dave

I wonder if maybe you pair it up with something like Nugget if the flavor would improve... I'm thinking more towards the flavors of herb and spice...

Sounds like it might be cool to play with it in a stout.

smokinghole said:

Sounds like it might be cool to play with it in a stout.

Click to expand...

Mint-chocolate stout. I like it!

smokinghole said:

Sounds like it might be cool to play with it in a stout.

Click to expand...

Exactly what I was thinking.

I made an all Polaris IPA including a boatload (100g!) of 2 week dry hopping and the beer came out fantastic. My friends went nuts over it. It's definitely different that my all Cascade IPA and I would definitely combine the two (dry hopping) to give it a more American hop "stinkiness" that makes AIPAs so awesome to drink (and burp!
The Polaris bitterness is indeed very smooth and due to the hop's insane amount of essential oils, it gives the beer a nice slick mouthfeel.

I absolutely agree with the chocolate mint oatmeal stout idea, I have a recipe that I'll brew in the fall. Should be fun!

I just bought five ounces from AHS. I'll probably save them and brew up the mint chocolate stout this fall...

I use Polaris in my APA's and IPA's. The first time I used it was in a single hop IPA to see what it can do. I have settled in on the following blend added at: FWH, 30, 20, 13, 7, and dry hop.

Polaris: 25%
Citra: 25%
Simcoe: 25%
Cascade: 25%

The average runs about 13-13.5 AA.
I love this combination. I recently have been having a hard time getting the Citra so I may use Falconer's Flight instead.

I love the flavor and aroma that Polaris adds to the blend. It also adds a lot of AA that allows me to get enough Cascade in the blend without getting too grassy. Cascade still has a lot to contribute. I have found that I do not need any 60 minute hop addition to achieve calculated IBU's well over 100 for DIPA's

I use Polaris in my APA's and IPA's. The first time I used it was in a single hop IPA to see what it can do. I have settled in on the following blend added at: FWH, 30, 20, 13, 7, and dry hop.

Polaris: 25%
Citra: 25%
Simcoe: 25%
Cascade: 25%

The average runs about 13-13.5 AA.
I love this combination. I recently have been having a hard time getting the Citra so I may use Falconer's Flight instead.

I love the flavor and aroma that Polaris adds to the blend. It also adds a lot of AA that allows me to get enough Cascade in the blend without getting too grassy. Cascade still has a lot to contribute. I have found that I do not need any 60 minute hop addition to achieve calculated IBU's well over 100 for DIPA's