45 replies to this topic

[Big Nake]

You would think I would know this by now. But there seems to be a shower of confusion on this.

Are the terms "Hallertau" and "Hallertau Mittelfruh" interchangeable? I am sometimes on a site and order "Hallertau Mittelfruh" and the hops I get are labeled "Hallertau". There might be a part number like "H21". The bag says H21 Hallertau and the site shows H21 Hallertau Mitt. Sometimes the bags at my LHBS show GERMAN HALLERTAU PELLETS on the bag and then the description starts off with Hallertau Mittelfruh hops are great for.... I know we have Hallertau Select, Blanc, etc. and I know that there is a Hallertau growing region in Germany but I still don't know if these are 2 different varieties of hop.

[Mya]

You would think I would know this by now. But there seems to be a shower of confusion on this.

Are the terms "Hallertau" and "Hallertau Mittelfruh" interchangeable? I am sometimes on a site and order "Hallertau Mittelfruh" and the hops I get are labeled "Hallertau". There might be a part number like "H21". The bag says H21 Hallertau and the site shows H21 Hallertau Mitt. Sometimes the bags at my LHBS show GERMAN HALLERTAU PELLETS on the bag and then the description starts off with Hallertau Mittelfruh hops are great for.... I know we have Hallertau Select, Blanc, etc. and I know that there is a Hallertau growing region in Germany but I still don't know if these are 2 different varieties of hop.

if it just says hallertuaer it could be mittelfruh or hersbrucker really, both are varietals of the hallertauer parent

[Big Nake]

if it just says hallertuaer it could be mittelfruh or hersbrucker really, both are varietals of the hallertauer parent

Right. I sometimes see "Hallertau Hersbrucker" but I consider Hersbrucker to be a different hop than Hallertau... I like them both though.

[Steve Urquell]

Ken, there are at least 9 varieties of Hallertau hops.  This is the best resource I've seen to help decipher them all.

https://beerlegends.com/hallertau-hops

" There are many other Hallertau variations, not so much from this specific strain, but more from breeding programs in and around Germany. Some of these other varieties include Hallertaur Aroma, Hallertaur Magnum, Hallertaur Mittelfrüh, Hallertaur Taurus, Hallertaur Tradition, Pacific Hallertaur, and U.S. Hallertaur Hops."

[Mya]

Right. I sometimes see "Hallertau Hersbrucker" but I consider Hersbrucker to be a different hop than Hallertau... I like them both though.

Hersbrucker to me seems a little spicier than mittelfruh, where mittlefruh is more floral.

[positiveContact]

I just bought US Hallertau for the time.  We'll see how it is on my next lager.

[Mya]

I just bought US Hallertau for the time.  We'll see how it is on my next lager.

In my experience it's similar to Hersbrucker, but rougher around the edges, I did several SMASH type pils with different Hallertauer varieties many years ago, and noted that the US Hal. was rougher, also that of the US Hals. Crystal and Mt Hood were the cleanest.  Mittelfruh was the softest, roundest, Hersbucker the spicier, bolder, Tradition, the least desirable, kind of dirty, overly herbal, vegital.

 

If I only had one choice of Domestic Hal. I'd go with Crystal with Mt Hood right behind it.  German Hersbrucker with Mittelfruh right behind that.

[Big Nake]

Tradition is okay for bittering but not late. Hallertau Select is really nice and doesn't seem to be very popular (read: hard to find). I agree that Hersbrucker has more going on than Hallertau... it's got a little more punch to it. I have tried US Hallertau and did not care for them at all.

[positiveContact]

Tradition is okay for bittering but not late. Hallertau Select is really nice and doesn't seem to be very popular (read: hard to find). I agree that Hersbrucker has more going on than Hallertau... it's got a little more punch to it. I have tried US Hallertau and did not care for them at all.

 

doh!

[Big Nake]

It's possible that I just thought they would be as good as German Hallertau and that I used them the same way. It's like US Magnum which I have also tried and did not like. US Hallertau was earthy, dirty and just not as clean as I hoped. I should also say it's been A LONG TIME since I used them.

[No Party JKor]

Mittelfruh is one of the noble varietals. I believe the Mittelfruh version comes from a specific region *within* the Hallertau region. something like 5-10% of the hops from Hallertau come from the Mittelfruh area. At least, that's what i recall reading at some point. Could be total garbage.

[Mya]

Mittelfruh is one of the noble varietals. I believe the Mittelfruh version comes from a specific region *within* the Hallertau region. something like 5-10% of the hops from Hallertau come from the Mittelfruh area. At least, that's what i recall reading at some point. Could be total garbage.

you might be right, but I thought I read that Mittelfruh reffered to a specific harvest time, and Hersbrucker referred to a region.

 

we are probably both wrong

[Brauer]

you might be right, but I thought I read that Mittelfruh reffered to a specific harvest time, and Hersbrucker referred to a region.

we are probably both wrong

Mittelfruh does translate to 'middle-early'.

[djinkc]

I just bought US Hallertau for the time.  We'll see how it is on my next lager.

 

I've used it.  Never will again.  German Hallertaus have always been a favorite of mine.

[positiveContact]

I've used it.  Never will again.  German Hallertaus have always been a favorite of mine.

 

Damnit!  Denny said he liked them.

[Big Nake]

Damnit!  Denny said he liked them.

Haven't we told you before... Never listen to Denny!! 

[positiveContact]

Haven't we told you before... Never listen to Denny!! 

 

well I did buy these from his main man, Ted from hop heaven.  maybe these are the special US hallertau that are extra tasty

[HVB]

well I did buy these from his main man, Ted from hop heaven.  maybe these are the special US hallertau that are extra tasty

Have you opened any of those hops?  The ones I have are very nice, I would not hesitate to go back there next year.

[positiveContact]

Have you opened any of those hops?  The ones I have are very nice, I would not hesitate to go back there next year.

 

not yet!  I need to start giving beer away to make room for some new stuff.

[HVB]

not yet!  I need to start giving beer away to make room for some new stuff.

Did just that this weekend - two kegs to my dad.