[tonyccopeland]

I am brewing a 3 gal batch Golden Strong (OG 1.090) using 96% pils, 4% corn sugar, Magnum for bittering 33 IBus, 1 oz. Sorachi Ace at flame out/ 1oz. dry hop with WLP550 this morning and I am on the fence about adding a lemon zest.  My thoughts were to try to bring the lemonly character to the forefront, but not take over the beer.  I zested about .3 oz.

Has anyone ever used lemon zest with Sorachi Ace hops?  If so, how much?  Any thoughts or feedback?  Thanks in advance.

-Tony

[JMJONES]

I'd be curious to the answer to this too.  I recently did an American Wheat lightly hopped with SA and 2oz of fresh orange zest added at 5 mins.  I got zero orange flavor or aroma with that much, so I'm not sure how much .3 oz will provide, although I would suspect lemon zest might be a little more potent.  However, the SA in my wheat did give me a very pleasant lemon note to the beer and I would use it again for sure.


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[HoosierBrew]

There's nothing wrong with giving it a shot, but I personally think that Sorachi + lemon zest would be much better in a saison, where a tart, sort of lemony character is often welcome. I think more of pear esters and pils malt character in BGSA. My $0.02  .

[dmtaylor]

I love Sorachi Ace hops, although I'll warn you that most people do not.  I think adding lemon zest is a fantastic idea.  However I would save it in some vodka and then just add the flavored vodka on bottling/kegging day several weeks away.  It should keep okay in vodka in your refrigerator for that long.

Cheers and enjoy.

[denny]

There's nothing wrong with giving it a shot, but I personally think that Sorachi + lemon zest would be much better in a saison, where a tart, sort of lemony character is often welcome. I think more of pear esters and pils malt character in BGSA. My $0.02  .

Agreed.

[tonyccopeland]

Thanks for the replies.  I decided to toss the zest in at flameout, but am going to get a vodka tincture going as well.

-Tony

[denny]

Thanks for the replies.  I decided to toss the zest in at flameout, but am going to get a vodka tincture going as well.

-Tony

I'd just toss in the zest post fermentation if you're determined to use it.  No need for a tincture.

[klickitat jim]

I love Sorachi Ace hops, although I'll warn you that most people do not.  I think adding lemon zest is a fantastic idea.  However I would save it in some vodka and then just add the flavored vodka on bottling/kegging day several weeks away.  It should keep okay in vodka in your refrigerator for that long.

Cheers and enjoy.

Coming up soon in the rotation is a blonde standard strength saison with sorachi ace and kafir lime leaves.

[cblitzstein]

Has anyone ever used lemon zest with Sorachi Ace hops?  If so, how much?  Any thoughts or feedback?  Thanks in advance.

-Tony

Try splitting the batch and doing half with lemon zest, half without. That'll let you know what you should do for the next batch.