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Author Topic: Hops Direct...Imported Pellets...Fresh?  (Read 5957 times)

Offline roguejim

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Hops Direct...Imported Pellets...Fresh?
« on: January 06, 2012, 12:21:32 pm »
The Timothy Taylor Landlord thread in the Commercial Beer Reviews subforum got me thinking about buying a few lbs of English hops.  The last time I purchased English whole hops from Hops Direct (years ago), they were cheesy, and unusable.

So, now I'm considering rolling the dice and buying some English pelletized hops.  Maybe they will be fresher?

Has anyone here recently purchased English hops, whole or pelletized from Hops Direct?  How was the quality?  Is there a better source for English hops?

Offline hamiltont

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Re: Hops Direct...Imported Pellets...Fresh?
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2012, 02:36:28 pm »
Looks like many of the hops listed are stating 2011 Crop so I'd imagine they're pretty fresh. I just got a pound of "GR Mittelfrueh Pellet NEW 2011 CROP" and they were VERY fresh!  Cheers!!!
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Offline denny

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Re: Hops Direct...Imported Pellets...Fresh?
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2012, 03:06:21 pm »
Yeah, this is the best time of year to order Euro hops.
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Offline hopfenundmalz

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Re: Hops Direct...Imported Pellets...Fresh?
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2012, 03:12:09 pm »
Now is the time to buy. They got the sea containers in right before Christmas.

They make their own pellets from the bales of whole hops.  Says so somewhere on the web page.  The quality of the pellets depends on the whloe hop quality going in.

If I open up more freezer space, a pound of Styrian Goldings is tempting.
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Offline roguejim

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Re: Hops Direct...Imported Pellets...Fresh?
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2012, 04:38:02 pm »
Now is the time to buy. They got the sea containers in right before Christmas.

They make their own pellets from the bales of whole hops.  Says so somewhere on the web page.  The quality of the pellets depends on the whloe hop quality going in.

If I open up more freezer space, a pound of Styrian Goldings is tempting.

So Jeff, have you purchased 2011 English hops from Hops Direct?  Thanks.

Offline thetooth

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Re: Hops Direct...Imported Pellets...Fresh?
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2012, 04:46:07 pm »
Now is the time to buy. They got the sea containers in right before Christmas.

They make their own pellets from the bales of whole hops.  Says so somewhere on the web page.  The quality of the pellets depends on the whloe hop quality going in.

If I open up more freezer space, a pound of Styrian Goldings is tempting.

So Jeff, have you purchased 2011 English hops from Hops Direct?  Thanks.

I can't speak for Jeff, but I have bought both Fuggles and EK Goldings in pellet form.  I am happy with both.  I've never bought hops from any seller that I thought were bad upon arrival, though, so your mileage may vary.

Offline Pawtucket Patriot

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Re: Hops Direct...Imported Pellets...Fresh?
« Reply #6 on: January 06, 2012, 05:07:54 pm »
I just got one pound bags of Styrian Goldings, Czech Saaz, and Hallertau Mittelfruh, all of which are very fresh.  I just used the Saaz in a BoPils last week.  Smelled heavenly in the kettle!  I'd say there's nothing to worry about with Hops Direct.  I've always been very pleased.  Been ordering from them for several years now.
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Offline roguejim

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Re: Hops Direct...Imported Pellets...Fresh?
« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2012, 07:40:27 pm »
I just got one pound bags of Styrian Goldings, Czech Saaz, and Hallertau Mittelfruh, all of which are very fresh.  I just used the Saaz in a BoPils last week.  Smelled heavenly in the kettle!  I'd say there's nothing to worry about with Hops Direct.  I've always been very pleased.  Been ordering from them for several years now.

Whole, or pellets?

Offline hopfenundmalz

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Re: Hops Direct...Imported Pellets...Fresh?
« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2012, 08:30:39 pm »
Now is the time to buy. They got the sea containers in right before Christmas.

They make their own pellets from the bales of whole hops.  Says so somewhere on the web page.  The quality of the pellets depends on the whloe hop quality going in.

If I open up more freezer space, a pound of Styrian Goldings is tempting.

So Jeff, have you purchased 2011 English hops from Hops Direct?  Thanks.

I bought a pound of EKG whole hops right before Christmas, which were in very good shape.

The whole Saaz and Gr.Magnum were also good.  Opening the bag of whole Hallertau Mittelfrueh tomorrow morning.
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Offline tschmidlin

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Re: Hops Direct...Imported Pellets...Fresh?
« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2012, 10:07:23 pm »
I just got a pound of UK First Gold from hopsdirect, they smell great to me.
Tom Schmidlin

Offline Pawtucket Patriot

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Re: Hops Direct...Imported Pellets...Fresh?
« Reply #10 on: January 07, 2012, 06:37:31 am »
I just got one pound bags of Styrian Goldings, Czech Saaz, and Hallertau Mittelfruh, all of which are very fresh.  I just used the Saaz in a BoPils last week.  Smelled heavenly in the kettle!  I'd say there's nothing to worry about with Hops Direct.  I've always been very pleased.  Been ordering from them for several years now.

Whole, or pellets?

Pellets.
Matt Schwandt | Minneapolis, MN
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Offline hopfenundmalz

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Re: Hops Direct...Imported Pellets...Fresh?
« Reply #11 on: January 07, 2012, 07:49:59 am »
Opened the HM hops for the Pilsner we are brewing today.  Those smell outstanding.
Jeff Rankert
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Offline bluesman

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Re: Hops Direct...Imported Pellets...Fresh?
« Reply #12 on: January 07, 2012, 10:39:40 am »
I just got one pound bags of Styrian Goldings, Czech Saaz, and Hallertau Mittelfruh, all of which are very fresh.  I just used the Saaz in a BoPils last week.  Smelled heavenly in the kettle!  I'd say there's nothing to worry about with Hops Direct.  I've always been very pleased.  Been ordering from them for several years now.

Good to know Matt.

I'm going to order a pound each of Saaz, Mittelfruh and EKG's a.s.a.p.

Ron Price

Offline Pawtucket Patriot

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Re: Hops Direct...Imported Pellets...Fresh?
« Reply #13 on: January 07, 2012, 12:11:11 pm »
I just got one pound bags of Styrian Goldings, Czech Saaz, and Hallertau Mittelfruh, all of which are very fresh.  I just used the Saaz in a BoPils last week.  Smelled heavenly in the kettle!  I'd say there's nothing to worry about with Hops Direct.  I've always been very pleased.  Been ordering from them for several years now.

Good to know Matt.

I'm going to order a pound each of Saaz, Mittelfruh and EKG's a.s.a.p.



I don't think you'll be disappointed!
Matt Schwandt | Minneapolis, MN
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Offline roguejim

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Re: Hops Direct...Imported Pellets...Fresh?
« Reply #14 on: January 07, 2012, 12:25:04 pm »
So, you guys have been buying whole hops, correct?