[Hickory]

I was doing some random shopping online and I came across the blow out sales on Yakima Valley Hops. They are selling some hops from 2013 and 2014 at what seems to be very low rates when buying in bulk. I was curious if anybody has bought hops this old, and how do they stand up compared to more fresh hops. The two random pounds from 2013 for only $15 sounds intriguing, mainly because I love trying new hops and I haven't tried too many of them. Thoughts?

[reverseapachemaster]

I've bought hops that old and used them without problem. If they have been stored cold and without oxygen they will hold up flavor-wise. The AA will drop and I seem to think YVH had tested and relabeled the AA on those hops. (I may be thinking of a different vendor.) If they are not relabeled then it's not too hard to approximate the change.

[beersk]

I'm still leery about using old hops though... the fresher the better. Those super cheap hop prices are tempting though.

[Philbrew]

I'm still leery about using old hops though... the fresher the better. Those super cheap hop prices are tempting though.

Yeah, the fresher the better.  Though I'm still using the 2014 hops that are vacuum sealed in the freezer and they are good. 

It looks like the prices for 2015 hops have increased substantially (at YVH) over what 2014 hops were going for at this time last year.  Also the selection and available quantities seems to be down.  Are we going into another hop shortage?

[HoosierBrew]

I have some two year old hops in the freezer that are vacuum sealed and still pretty good considering. Not sure I'd necessarily buy 2013 hops at this point, but if you vacuum seal after opening each time and keep them in the freezer they'd work well for a bit.

[HoosierBrew]

Also the selection and available quantities seems to be down. 

You should check out  https://www.yakimavalleyhops.com/         Huge selection, including several experimental new varieties.

[denny]

No, we are not going into another hop shortage.  Some varieties may be harder to find than others, but in general it was a great harvest year.

[chumley]

Speaking of hops, anyone have any idea when the 2015 crop of Continental hops arrive?  They usually show up in January, and I don't seem them at either Yakima Valley or Hops Direct yet.  My Saaz supply is very low and I want to brew pilsner. 

[Joe Sr.]

I just had Saaz and Hallertau delivered from Yakima.  The invoice says "2015 CROP!"

[chumley]

Cool.  They need to update their website.

Whole or pellets?

[erockrph]

I just had Saaz and Hallertau delivered from Yakima.  The invoice says "2015 CROP!"

Just ordered some 2015 EKG's (and Crystal... and Lemon Drop... and some new hop called 007... can't control myself  ) after reading this. Looks like most of the European hops are listed as 2015 at YVH now.

[Joe Sr.]

Cool.  They need to update their website.

Whole or pellets?

Pellet.

I got some EKG, too.

[HoosierBrew]

                                    and some new hop called 007

Gonna keg an IPA with 007/Idaho 7 tomorrow. The smell from the steep was amazing. Can't wait to see if it lives up to the SN beer.

[erockrph]

                                    and some new hop called 007

Gonna keg an IPA with 007/Idaho 7 tomorrow. The smell from the steep was amazing. Can't wait to see if it lives up to the SN beer.

Is 007 the same hop as Idaho 7?

[HoosierBrew]

                                    and some new hop called 007

Gonna keg an IPA with 007/Idaho 7 tomorrow. The smell from the steep was amazing. Can't wait to see if it lives up to the SN beer.

Is 007 the same hop as Idaho 7?

Yeah, according to yso191 (Steve) who works at a hop company.  SN called the beer 'Idaho 7' before the hops actually came to market. They're sold as 007 now. Aroma and samples seemed pretty spot on so far.


Edit - On Denny and Drew's new podcast, the brewer from Faction brewing confirmed this, too. Said he likes the hops a lot as well.