Aroma/Flavor from hops I just can't put my finger on

[Little_Lebowski]

So I used about 6 oz total Mandarina Bavaria hops, along with about 8 oz of other hops, for a DIPA I just kegged last week. I'd never used them before but from all the talk expected a giant citrus bomb. So 4 oz went in the kettle as a late addition and 2 were saved as part of a dry hop regiment.

On brew day when I opened the bag I noticed right away the appearance didn't like like the pellet hops I was used to. Instead of a nice tight bright green color and sharp nose tickling aroma, these hops appeared a bit larger and looser of a compaction. They also looked a bit dry and were more on the brown/tan side of color.

The aroma though is what I'm having s hard time describing. No fruity citrusy aroma at all. Instead it was a spicy, brown leafy, tobacco aroma that I was certainly not expecting. This happened to me on one occasion with a single bag of galaxy pellets I purchased. The other bags were perfectly fine but I opened one up for dry hopping and I got the same weird tobacco off aroma. Very dull and not what to expect from Galaxy. Needless to say, I pitched that bag of Galaxy. I wish I would have done the same with these. MB

Now unfortunately I'm stuck with 5 gallons of a DIPA that is a slightly earthy piney aroma, at best, but first sip nails you with a bitter tobacco spice that is just too prominent to deal with.

Anyone have any similar experiences? I emailed the customer service dept of the company I ordered from and they treated me great, actually sending me a gift card for a new batch of beer. Anyway everyone says hops that have gone bad have a cheesy aroma, and that's what this customer service rep said too, so I don't think they could quite put their finger on what happened either.

Just looking for a little feedback here. Thanks guys.

 

[TasunkaWitko]

I can't say for sure, but it sounds a bit like Serebrianka - take a look:

Picture: http://www.brewershaven.com/products/leaf-hop-serebrianka-1-oz-aau-3-5

Profile: http://www.hopslist.com/hops/aroma-hops/serebrianka/

http://www.greatlakeshops.com/serebrianka.html

Or, perhaps it's just some bad hops....

If it is Serebrianka, a change in usage or style of beer might produce some great results. Most of what I've read about it has been good, except for the fact that it is difficult to grow on a large scale.

 

[Little_Lebowski]

I can't say for sure, but it sounds a bit like Serebrianka - take a look:

Picture: http://www.brewershaven.com/products/leaf-hop-serebrianka-1-oz-aau-3-5

Profile: http://www.hopslist.com/hops/aroma-hops/serebrianka/

http://www.greatlakeshops.com/serebrianka.html

Or, perhaps it's just some bad hops....

If it is Serebrianka, a change in usage or style of beer might produce some great results. Most of what I've read about it has been good, except for the fact that it is difficult to grow on a large scale.

Not sure if I was confusing in my post but it was Mandarina Bavaria

 

[TasunkaWitko]

Well, the PACKAGE said Mandarina Bavaria; but I've used that hop, and there's no way on earth that I could see it turning into what you describe. I am suggesting at least the possibility that the package was mis-labeled.

Did the package have an expiration date?

 

[Little_Lebowski]

Can't remember if it did or not. And it did happen. Forgot to mention that they were also on sale, which made me believe they were also either past their exp date or nearing it.