[hopfenundmalz]

Hopsdirect still doesn't have Chinooks pellets

On the right side of the page it has said that the pellets would be released in Nov.  It is now November, so they should be out soon.  The pelletizers are fired up once the crop is harvested.  As I understand it, they fill the contracts first, then they put hops on the spot market.

I am waiting for some of the European hops to show up on their page.

[beveragebob]

I'm still waiting to see EKG's. I probably have ~ 18 lbs of hops in the freezer. SWMBO keeps putting FOOD in my hop freezer....sheesh.

[hopfenundmalz]

Bob, yes I want a pound of EKG cone hops.  Used a whole pound+ in a historic English IPA last year.  Aged it for 10 months then dry hopped.  It had a couple of brewing mistakes, but turned out to be a really good beer.  Want to do it again without the mistakes.

[bluesman]

I'm still waiting to see EKG's.

I second that motion. I need some 2010 EKG's...

[euge]

I read somewhere- don't have anything to cite- that EKG's are rapidly vanishing due their acreage being diminished in England.

Used to mix Fuggs and EKG. What a  combination!

[bluesman]

I read somewhere- don't have anything to cite- that EKG's are rapidly vanishing due their acreage being diminished in England.

Used to mix Fuggs and EKG. What a  combination!

It sure seems that way.  The imported variety are harder to come by these days.  I can get plenty of PNW grown EKG's but that's about it.

[hopfenundmalz]

I read somewhere- don't have anything to cite- that EKG's are rapidly vanishing due their acreage being diminished in England.

That is correct.  I have seen some numbers for the acreage of British hops, and it is only a little over 3000 acres, down from 50,000 in the early part of the 20th century .  The East Kent fields have competition from housing development, as that is not too far from London.  Also read that most of the Kent acreage is owned by a guy in his 80's.  Get 'em while you can.

Hops used to be grown near San Francisco.  Those acres were tuned into housing in the early-mid part of hte 20th century.

[denny]

I just bought some killer EKG pellets from my LHBS.  They weren't cheap, though!

[beveragebob]

I hear ya DC. I'm tempted to haul off and get some from NB but, I keep holding out hope that hopsdirect will get some pellets soon. Maybe I'll give them a call tomorrow and get the skinny. I know it takes more time coming from across the pond. I'll report back any info.

[bluesman]

I just bought some killer EKG pellets from my LHBS.  They weren't cheap, though!

Denny...which manufacturer and where were they grown?

[beveragebob]

I just got an email from Joe at Princeton Homebrew in NJ. He is telling me he may be sourcing the 2010 EKG crop in plugs in the near future....stay tuned!

[hopfenundmalz]

Hopsdirect still doesn't have Chinooks pellets

The "New Crop" Chinook Pellets are up on their page today.

I still have to wait for the EKG cone hops to arrive.

[roguejim]

I hope your cones are relatively fresh.  The one and only time I received EKG cones from HopsDirect, they had esters de limburger. 

[hopfenundmalz]

The last pound of EKG I got from Hopsdirect were somewhat old.  They didn't smell the greatest, but did not smell bad or like cheese.  Made a heck of a good historic British IPA.

I have read some referrences that the old British brewers liked to age their EKG.  Some hops benefit from a little oxidation.  Read the hops section in "Designing Great Beers" if you don't believe me.  Limburger smell means they have gone too far, though.  Only good for Lambics then.

[beveragebob]

That's why I only get pellets from anything across the pond. My personal preference.