Harvest Ale

[Two Wheeler]

Hey folks,

My hops this year were an epic fail, but I'm hopeful they take of next year. A friend of mine did have some success growing hops, even though he doesn't brew. He dried them out and froze them for me, and I agreed I'd make a double batch and split with him.

Anyway, I was wondering how best to feature the hops. They are cascade, 2nd year plants with unknown AA or oil content. I was thinking I'd use a fairly neutral pale ale recipe and use "purchased" hops for the initial 60 minute addition for control and then use the home grown hops for late additions and dry hops.

What does everyone else do?

[robcoombs]

I've never brewed a harvest ale for the same reason as you. I suck at growing apparently. I think you have the right approach though and you're smart to use purchased hops for the 60 addition. The AA shouldn't be very high since they're cascade so you won't have to worry about too much bitterness from the late additions of the home grown.

[feldmann]

I brewed almost exactly what you're describing with my cascade last year. I did 85% 2-row, 5.6% each victory and munich malt and 3.7% wheat malt. I did two split batches, one I used magnum for bittering because I had extra and I really like it and one that was pure cascade using store bought ones for the bittering.

I also suck at growing hops and I think its because the spot I planted them never gets enough sun so they never fully mature. They smelt really grassy before I used them but actually came out pretty good and crisp in the beer.