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Author Topic: balancing hops  (Read 1658 times)

Offline Iliff Ave

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balancing hops
« on: December 24, 2015, 12:16:02 pm »
Say you want an equal impact from two hops. How do you balance the amounts of the the two varieties in attempt to equalize them? It is based mostly on oil content?

As a very basic example, let's say I am doing a beer with Palisade and Hersbrucker. I don't have specific specs on either variety other than AA. Hopunion lists Palisade as being 1.4-1.6% oil while Hersbrucker is 0.7-1.3%. If I go with the averages of these figures, it is 1.5% and 1.0% respectively. Should I go with a 3:2 Hersbrucker to Palisade in attempt to balance them the way I proposed?

It is more about trial and error?
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Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: balancing hops
« Reply #1 on: December 24, 2015, 12:32:46 pm »
Yes and yes !  Balancing the hop amounts based on their oil content is a good starting point to balance out the intensities of different hops. After that I change the next time around (if need be) based on what I thought of the blend. I change hop combos so much I make sure to keep records for when I go back and revisit a particular combo.
Jon H.

Offline Iliff Ave

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Re: balancing hops
« Reply #2 on: December 24, 2015, 12:36:20 pm »
Thanks Jon. I suppose the issue is not having accurate oil content figures.
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Up Next: mexi lager, Germerican pale ale

Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: balancing hops
« Reply #3 on: December 24, 2015, 12:44:00 pm »
Thanks Jon. I suppose the issue is not having accurate oil content figures.

Yeah, but it's just a rough estimate to try out the first time anyway. After that it's personal preference anyway. All good !
Jon H.

Offline Iliff Ave

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Re: balancing hops
« Reply #4 on: December 24, 2015, 12:46:37 pm »
For sure. Trying to figure out the hop schedule for my next beer. I had it where I thought I wanted it but now am overthinking it as usual...
On Tap/Bottled: IPL, Adjunct Vienna, Golden Stout, Honey Lager
Fermenting: IPA
Up Next: mexi lager, Germerican pale ale

Offline klickitat jim

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Re: balancing hops
« Reply #5 on: December 25, 2015, 05:16:58 am »
I was watching a commercial for Boston Lager and they explained the recipe. Apparently it's 50% malt 50% hops.

Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: balancing hops
« Reply #6 on: December 25, 2015, 07:50:57 am »
I was watching a commercial for Boston Lager and they explained the recipe. Apparently it's 50% malt 50% hops.

That's awesome. At least it's a simple recipe.  ;)
Jon H.

Offline jeffy

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Re: balancing hops
« Reply #7 on: December 25, 2015, 09:02:46 am »
I was watching a commercial for Boston Lager and they explained the recipe. Apparently it's 50% malt 50% hops.

That's awesome. At least it's a simple recipe.  ;)
It is a well-balanced commercial for sure.
Jeff Gladish, Tampa (989.3, 175.1 Apparent Rennarian)
Homebrewing since 1990
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Offline brewinhard

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Re: balancing hops
« Reply #8 on: December 25, 2015, 12:16:19 pm »
I was watching a commercial for Boston Lager and they explained the recipe. Apparently it's 50% malt 50% hops.

Ha!  Don't forget the "craft" part!