[tschmidlin]

I need to order some hops for my English ales and Irish stout, and I'm trying to decide between:

Sonnet™ Golding c.v. Leaf 2011 NEW CROP Size: 1 Lb.  6.6%       $ 18.60

East Kent Golding Leaf Hops NEW 2011 CROP Size: 1 Lb. 4.6%     $ 14.65

First Gold UK Leaf Hops NEW 2011 CROP SIZE: 1 LB 5.1%            $ 12.15

Fuggle UK Leaf Hops NEW 2011 CROP Size: 1 Lb. 4.3%                 $ 14.35

Clearly the First Gold gives the most bang for the buck for bittering, which is all I use it for in my stout, so I might get a pound of that.  I liked the Sonnet golding, but I'm not liking the price this year.  I think I'd pick the EKG over the Fuggles, but I'm open to being convinced.  I'll probably get a pound each of two varieties, so what do you guys think?

[euge]

EKG and Fuggles.

[tschmidlin]

Come on euge, you got to give me some reasons.  Those are the easy choices, but I haven't used First Gold.

[eltharyon]

EKG, because I said so.

Hmm, then between 1st Gold and Fuggles.  I just don't know the other one and its expensive.

[pinnah]

going on about the difference between 14 and 18 bucks?

Personally I would not even worry about the cost difference.
It is a whole pound of hops.  How many gallons can you make with that?

...for the price of a burger.

Sonnet.  because something with ™ behind the name has to be better

[majorvices]

To me Fuggles is more earthy and herbal which suits itself well with darker ales and EKG is a bit more grassy which suits to lighter english styles. I'm afraid I'm not much help with the others. For English pale ales and IPAs I prefer a blend of Challenger and EKG.

[hopfenundmalz]

First Gold can give some apricot flavor and aroma.  Don't know the Sonnet hop, never used it.

I have a pound of the EKG ready to go, and some Willamette which is close to Fuggles.  Of the ones listed, I would order EKG and Fuggles to do classic recipes.
 
There are also some Progress, Challenger, Northdown, and Target pellets in the freezer.  Doing some of the English styles again.

 

[euge]

Come on euge, you got to give me some reasons.  Those are the easy choices, but I haven't used First Gold.

LOL I used them a great deal about 4 years ago! A nice citrus quality to the EKG. I've bittered with Fuggles before followed by EKG. Was a very nice bitter though I usually have both of these as flavor and aroma hops.

I guess the First Gold would be a good purchase for it's dual-usage.

[bluesman]

I would go with a pound of each if you could afford it, but if it comes down to money then I would have to give them a good sniff before I could make up my mind. For me it comes down to the aroma for most hops and unfortunately you probably won't be able to sample them.  Will they send samples?

Anyway...I usually keep EKG'S and Fuggles on hand most of the time. I'm also getting ready to place an order to HD.

[denny]

Gary Glass and I have formed a Fuggles Haters Club....

[bo]

Gary Glass and I have formed a Fuggles Haters Club....

Can I join? I think they're only good for naming a puppy.

[denny]

Gary Glass and I have formed a Fuggles Haters Club....

Can I join? I think they're only good for naming a puppy.

You're in!

[mabrungard]

Gary Glass and I have formed a Fuggles Haters Club....

I don't know why, but I do not like Fuggles either.  I tried them in several brews that I had made before with other hops and came away with an unfavorable impression.  There seemed to be a flavor that I did not agree with.  C'est la Vie. 

[denny]

Gary and I agreed that what a lot of people perceive as "earthy" we find more "dirty" or "woody".  Join the club, Martin!

[jeffy]

Gary and I agreed that what a lot of people perceive as "earthy" we find more "dirty" or "woody".  Join the club, Martin!

Cheesey and musty to me, but I can understand what you mean by "dirty".  Send me a membership card.