[ndcube]

Does anyone have experience/an opinion on which are the better flavor/aroma hops listed below (particularly for an Alt).

Hop Direct has two types of Spalter than I'm looking at and I'm not sure which to try.
Spalter Select Leaf
Spalter Pellet

Thanks,

[Thirsty_Monk]

To my opinion Pallets vs. leaf/flower is matter of personal preference. 

[Pawtucket Patriot]

I think what ndcube is asking is whether there is a difference between Spalter and Spalter Select (though I could be wrong).  I have only tried the regular Spalter but based on the description they don't look very dissimilar.  I would go with what you prefer as far as pellet vs. whole.  I always use pellets for bittering (a little more bang for the buck) and whole hops for flavor/aroma (they just seem to impart a fresher hop aroma).  YMMV.

[hopfenundmalz]

Spalt Select is a newer variety.  I new it was more disease resistant, but a little Google search brought this up.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/Spalt_Select

Hope this helps.

[ndcube]

Yes, my question was about the taste difference b/w "Spalter" vs "Spalter Select".

I like leaf better but I think I'll go with the Spalter since it seems more original and it's pelletized and my freezer space is lmited at the moment.

Thanks all for the comments.

[denny]

Having used both, I think any taste difference is insignificant.  For imported hops, I always prefer pellets.

[ndcube]

Thanks Denny.

Why the pellets for imported hops?

[denny]

Thanks Denny.

Why the pellets for imported hops?

Imported hops can likely be older, due to the time it takes them to get here, and possibly mishandled somewhere along the way.  Pellets withstand age and mishandling much better than whole hops.  For years, I was a "whole hop snob" due to the fact that I live in prime hop growing territory.  A guy who's easily the best brewer in our club kept advocating for pellets.  I tired them and discovered he was right.

[ndcube]

Imported hops can likely be older, due to the time it takes them to get here, and possibly mishandled somewhere along the way.  Pellets withstand age and mishandling much better than whole hops.  For years, I was a "whole hop snob" due to the fact that I live in prime hop growing territory.  A guy who's easily the best brewer in our club kept advocating for pellets.  I tired them and discovered he was right.

Ah.  I was under the impression that hopsdirect pelletized their own hops but maybe they only pelletize their OWN hops.  That would make more sense since some of the imported varieties are only available either / or.

[hopfenundmalz]

Denny is right, that some of the imported hops can be older.  Hops direct doesn't get the whole European hops until just before Christmas.   I was not looking too close as to when they get the pellets, but I would assume after the first of the year. 

You could always ask them where the European pellets were processed.  They have answered some questions for me in the past.

[ndcube]

I already asked. They are from the 2010 crop.

[denny]

Ah.  I was under the impression that hopsdirect pelletized their own hops but maybe they only pelletize their OWN hops.  That would make more sense since some of the imported varieties are only available either / or.

I'd be surprised if HD did the pelletization themselves.

[ndcube]

Ah.  I was under the impression that hopsdirect pelletized their own hops but maybe they only pelletize their OWN hops.  That would make more sense since some of the imported varieties are only available either / or.

I'd be surprised if HD did the pelletization themselves.

I knew this was in the back of my head from somewhere.
I was just now adding the Spalter to my basket and noticed this at the top of the imported hops pellet list:

"We pelletize our own hops as well as most all of our imported hops on the farm in our "California Pellet Mill" each winter.  We process T-90 hop pellets and package into (4.2 m) multi-layered, high barrier mylar bags with a nitrogen flush.  We are in the process of moving from a tight, hard vacuum the new industry standard "soft packs"."

[denny]

Cool!  Thanks for the info!

[hopfenundmalz]

That answers that. 

The mill gets a work out, then.