SwAMi75
Well-Known Member
So, I got this stuff carbed up and have been err, sampling it the past couple days. This is my first experience with Simcoe hops.
First of all, the hop presence is definitely there. What surprises me is that overall, they're fairly subdued. I only went for 42 IBU, and at 14.4% AA it only took 1.5oz of them for the 5.5 gal batch, plus 1oz of dry hop. I used them at 60, 20, 5 min, and flameout to get a feel for them across the spectrum.
The bitterness is very smooth, very little bite. The flavor is really different, though. I'd describe it as earthy, piney, and slightly citrusy. Also has almost a slight pineapple flavor. Aroma is pretty much more of the same. It really doesn't jump out at you like the "C" hops, but it's there.
I like it, and in the future I think I'll use it primarily for bittering, then probably blended with something else for flavor/aroma additions. I think it would work well to take the edge off hops like Cascade, Centennial, Amarillo, etc. in those departments.
Dude's going to try some tomorrow. We'll see what he thinks, since he's a bigshot and all.
First of all, the hop presence is definitely there. What surprises me is that overall, they're fairly subdued. I only went for 42 IBU, and at 14.4% AA it only took 1.5oz of them for the 5.5 gal batch, plus 1oz of dry hop. I used them at 60, 20, 5 min, and flameout to get a feel for them across the spectrum.
The bitterness is very smooth, very little bite. The flavor is really different, though. I'd describe it as earthy, piney, and slightly citrusy. Also has almost a slight pineapple flavor. Aroma is pretty much more of the same. It really doesn't jump out at you like the "C" hops, but it's there.
I like it, and in the future I think I'll use it primarily for bittering, then probably blended with something else for flavor/aroma additions. I think it would work well to take the edge off hops like Cascade, Centennial, Amarillo, etc. in those departments.
Dude's going to try some tomorrow. We'll see what he thinks, since he's a bigshot and all.