6 replies to this topic

[Recklessdeck]

Picked up the malts for a blonde ale today, was thinking I have 4 oz of these in the freezer. I've never used them, but I imagine someone here has? What's the general impression on these? The lady at my LHBS said she'd had an excellent beer hopped exclusively with these, and so I thinking i might try them out. They are a little higher AA, 7.0, than those i usually use in late additions, so I could only use them for bittering and go with the hersbruckers for aroma instead. But as a whole are the NZs pretty much like their german cousins, or if not, how are they different?

[Bigeasy]

I've used them quite a bit and love them.They're very clean,great aroma and with the higher AA are very versatile in your schedule.They don't really have a standout characteristic i.e. the citrusy C's.I think the best way I could describe them is clean hoppiness.I've made a cpl pales/IPAs with them as the only hop after Magnum for bittering and they were excellent.I've also used them as the lone hop in an AM Hefe,lone hop in a Belgian pale and as part of my schedule in a BDS.They also combine beautifully with C hops.I've used them NZH/Cent,NZH/Casc,and NZH/Citra.I'm drinking on the NZH/Citra IPA now and it's great.I'd say what they bring to the mix with the C's is depth.They smooth the C's but not dilute them.I have nothing to add on a comparison with Gr Hallertau,just haven't used them much.Definitely try them,good luck.

[JimInNJ]

Only used them once. Compared to Hellartau, more bitter and not as refined. I tasted a woody component in the flavor that I also notice in other "down under" hops like P.O.R. and Pacific Gem. Great aroma when you toss them in the kettle.- Jim

[Recklessdeck]

Only used them once. Compared to Hellartau, more bitter and not as refined. I tasted a woody component in the flavor that I also notice in other "down under" hops like P.O.R. and Pacific Gem. Great aroma when you toss them in the kettle.- Jim

Thanks for the info folks, the first ounce went in the kettle about 10 min ago. They look and smell fantastic. Gonna do a 60-20-0-dryhop for this 1.050, 4SRM beer. It already looks awesome! Hit my volumes on the nose, can't wait to see how my new MLT does in term of eff.I'll keep a tongue(?) out for woody notes or harshness.

[robert41]

just used new zealand hallertau in a belgian wit today, should be interesting

[Recklessdeck]

Well, 2 months later...This is a beautiful beer. Very, very clean hop bitterness, a little mellow fruit. When it went into keg, tasted so clean it had an astringent quality to it that has happily dissipated over the past few weeks. Overall, I'd recommend this hop, as I will surely use it again. the high AA makes me think this might be ideal for all my noble hop bittering additions.

[ncbeerbrewer]

I have never brewed with the NZ Hallertau but last year I made an IPA with NZ Cascade that I traded with a guy in my homebrew club as well. I had never used them prior to that and when I brought that to the next meeting I told them I used Cascade and they thought I was crazy then I said NZ variety and it made sense but I got outstanding feedback and compliments on it as well. Good luck with the beer and brewing!!