29 replies to this topic

[Big Nake]

I've been brewing for close to 15 years and have never used Columbus hops. I think. There may have been a kit way, way back there that had them but I wouldn't remember. What can the board tell me about them? I know about the Tomahawk-Zeus thing (creating the name CTZ) and the lawsuit between Zimmerman, Yakima Chief, Hop Union and all of that... apparently they're all the same hop variety. 14-16% alpha and dual purpose. I was at one of my LHBS's last weekend and my buddy was weighing out hop pellets from a big bowl. When I walked into the back room, I was overcome by the aroma of these hops and I said, "What on Earth is that smell!?!?!?!" and he pointed to the bowl and said, "Columbus". They smelled so clean but sort of spicy-citrusy. So what do you guys use them in and how do you use them? I have heard that they are great for bittering, aroma and especially dry-hopping.

Edited by KenLenard, 24 January 2013 - 09:46 PM.

[SchwanzBrewer]

They are a main ingredient in DCRIPA. Nice dank stinky hop IMO. I love it, don't use it enough. I'm growing some in the front yard.

[al_bob]

One of my favorites. It is a no brainer bittering hop, and I love the flavor/aroma. One beer that comes to mind is Snake Dog IPA, for Flying Dog. Very strong hop and a little hard to figure out how to use, but for the price and Alpha Acid content, it's a good hop to keep around.

[Poptop]

A little Columbus on the front end and 1/2 oz to 1 oz floating in the keg as a super duper dry hop. Resiny and Piney. Just got a pound of leaf and when I weighed it out into smaller portions and kryovac'ed, you'd think I was bagging "sticky icky."

[SchwanzBrewer]

One of the most recognized aromas for this hop is marijuana.

[Big Nake]

One of the most recognized aromas for this hop is marijuana.

Really? I didn't get that when I smelled them the other day. I will say that the aroma was impressive because he maybe had a pound of pellets in a stainless bowl on the counter and the entire store smelled like these hops which had a fresh, spicy-citrusy thing going on. Maybe I was just euphoric standing in the LHBS with my bud... oh and we were drinking beer too.

[Poptop]

Carl Spackler: "This is my own hybrid. It’s a mix between Kentucky Bluegrass and Northern California sensimila. The great thing about this is you can play 36 holes on it and then get smoked to the bejeesus with it."

[neddles]

Carl Spackler: "This is my own hybrid. It’s a mix between Kentucky Bluegrass and Northern California sensimila. The great thing about this is you can play 36 holes on it and then get smoked to the bejeesus with it."

Are you going to follow that up with a little cannonball? Cannonball comin'.First time I've heard columbus described that way. I'll have to keep it in mind.

[Poptop]

Seriously though, IMHO Columbus brings all good things to both bittering and flavoring. It's a perfect compliment to any of the more citrusy varieties; Amarillo, the 4C's etc."You’re rather attractive for a beautiful girl with a great body." ~ Ty Webb.

[SchwanzBrewer]

I've made DCRIPA (Denny Conn's Rye IPA) a bunch of times and the most common descriptor of the aroma is, "smells like weed". It's a dank hop for sure, but it does also have that piney and citrus aroma as well.

[Poptop]

I have been wanting to do Brother Conn's rye recipe. How'd yours turn out?

[Dave McG]

The two hops I always try to keep around are Columbus and Centennial, but my beers tend to be IPA's, APA's etc. If you're looking to make some beers that aren't in the same genre of your other recipes, Columbus is a great hop. I think it would be quite out of place in a Helles, Kolsch, or things in that vein. It tends to jump out and dominate a beer. If the idea of a recipe is to have the hops in the background, Columbus might not be the one.

[SchwanzBrewer]

I have been wanting to do Brother Conn's rye recipe. How'd yours turn out?

Delicious. It's a great beer. I've brewed it a half dozen times.

[HVB]

Delicious. It's a great beer. I've brewed it a half dozen times.

Have to agree with this

[denny]

They are a main ingredient in DCRIPA. Nice dank stinky hop IMO. I love it, don't use it enough. I'm growing some in the front yard.

That beer has been referred to as a "Columbus delivery vehicle"....I like it!

[denny]

One of the most recognized aromas for this hop is marijuana.

That explains so much.....

[HVB]

This thread is a good reminder I need to make a batch of RIPA soon

[positiveContact]

This thread is a good reminder I need to make a batch of RIPA soon

it will be one of my next few beers for sure. i need something really hoppy on tap!

[HVB]

it will be one of my next few beers for sure. i need something really hoppy on tap!

Seems all I have is hoppy and that is not a complaint!

[Poptop]

A shout out to Brother Ken, hope we haven't jumped your thread. Somehow Columbus is still on the mark so far :)The RIPA has me interested though. With that much rye in Brother Denny's recipe, is there any comparison to Ruthless Rye?BTW, just got a case of that nectar yesterday....