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Message |
    
Paul Edwards
Senior Member
Username: Pedwards
Post Number: 1535
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 76.252.33.102
| | Posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 - 01:05 pm: | 
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My LHBS is out of Saaz hops. I'm also out. I wanted some for a tripel. I have some Tetts and some Styrians
But they have Sterling. I see several sites, including Freshops that recommend Sterling as a substitute for Saaz.
Opinions? |
Little Dipper
Intermediate Member
Username: Littledipper
Post Number: 354
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 70.226.86.21
| | Posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 - 01:42 pm: |
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Yes sir. It's a great sub in my opinion. |
Troglodyte
Member
Username: Troglodyte
Post Number: 171
Registered: 10-2004
Posted From: 72.75.86.7
| | Posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 - 08:43 pm: |
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Here's Yakima Chief's data sheet for Sterling. Other documents, Wikipedia (shudder), claim Mt. Hood Parentage as well, but I'm inclined to trust the wholesaler.
Edit: Ugh huh, seems I forgot something important, namely, the link:
http://www.yakimachief.com/hopvarieties/sterling.html
It's a wonder I haven't drown in the rain.
(Message edited by Troglodyte on February 15, 2008) |
Beergroupie
Junior Member
Username: Beergroupie
Post Number: 49
Registered: 02-2001
Posted From: 72.26.86.181
| | Posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 - 09:23 pm: |
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Should do the trick. here is a little file for your reference in the future.
On a personal note: Almost 50 posts in 7 years.....I'm on fire!
http://www.freshops.com/usda_hop_desc2.html |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 8519
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.57.225.170
| | Posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 - 09:50 pm: |
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Good luck in finding Sterling. I just popped over the border to the Buffalo area yesterday and stopped at the LHBS. They had only about half the varieties they normally carry, and nothing like Saaz or its substitutes. Their policy now is to insist that you buy at least two pounds of grain for each ounce of hops, and they limit you to 4 oz. of hops per visit. They waived the rule and let me buy 6 oz. because I drove an hour each way to get there.
I was able to buy Mt. Hood (as a sub for Hallertau) and Crystal. I still have about half a pound of various varieties in the freezer. This and what I bought yesterday will allow me to brew three 10 gallon batches, but nothing with more than 26 IBUs. I don't know what I'll do after that. |
Paul Edwards
Senior Member
Username: Pedwards
Post Number: 1536
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 76.252.33.102
| | Posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 - 10:06 pm: |
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While I was at the LHBS this afternoon, I got a bag of Turbo Pils.
I also picked up 4 ounces of Sterling pellets. I already had 4 ounces of Tett plugs. Given the alpha of the Tett's, I'll need all of this for 10 gal of tripel to hit 39-40 IBU's (ala Westmalle).
This shop also requires a malt purchase to get hops. |
Little Dipper
Intermediate Member
Username: Littledipper
Post Number: 355
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 70.226.86.21
| | Posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 - 10:10 pm: |
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Sterling is one of the hops that's been easy for me to get lately. |
brett matthews
Member
Username: Brettj
Post Number: 221
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 124.150.116.178
| | Posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 - 10:26 pm: |
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I was at my LHBS last week and asked the owner how we here in Australia are going to be affected by the hop shortage, thinking that if you guys in North America are suffering it would be 10 fold here. He reckons no problems, the only two varieties that won't be around pretty soon are Pride of Ringwood (not too worried there) and EKG's. I'm not sure if he's trying to avert a "hop buying rush" or not but he's certainly not the type of bloke to feed you bulltish. |
Ryan Messenger
Junior Member
Username: Rem
Post Number: 60
Registered: 10-2007
Posted From: 74.34.11.134
| | Posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 - 10:42 pm: |
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Sounds like my experience! I am going to try and brew a lager for my wife that calls for Czech Saaz, but I couldn't even find any of the suggested substitutes (and Bill I also checked Niagara Traditions this week). I thought I found Spalt that I though could work as a comp.; I made an order on line, but the store called me at work and told me that they didn’t have any, but could swap in German Brewers Gold instead, which I later looked up and didn’t seem to compare to Saaz or Spalt. I also couldn’t find any Sterling. I think I am going to end up using the Brewers Gold for the bittering and some Tettnanger for flavoring hops… we’ll see. However, what I do know is that the shelves are getting pretty bare. |
Dave Witt
Senior Member
Username: Davew
Post Number: 1073
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 71.194.189.126
| | Posted on Saturday, February 16, 2008 - 05:38 pm: |
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I bought a lb of Sterling from NB shortly before the shortage really got going. I used them in a 5 gal batch of Czech Pils (yeast starter for 20 gal batches). I just tasted the beer, which was kegged last week, and I thought the Sterlings were similar to Saaz, but a little less spicy, more floral and a little citrusy. Overall not a bad sub. |
PaulK
Advanced Member
Username: Paulk
Post Number: 682
Registered: 02-2003
Posted From: 68.84.198.40
| | Posted on Saturday, February 16, 2008 - 08:42 pm: |
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Nine times out of ten I find Sterling superior to Saaz. Saaz is a very delicate hop and doesn't seem to store well. Much of what I've seen from various homebrew sources was past its prime. Considering Sterling's similarities and the generally fresher condition, it provides more bang for the buck. |
Chumley
Senior Member
Username: Chumley
Post Number: 5288
Registered: 02-2003
Posted From: 75.165.200.194
| | Posted on Saturday, February 16, 2008 - 10:54 pm: |
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I was able to buy Mt. Hood (as a sub for Hallertau)
I bought a pound of Mt. Hoods during the middle of the hop crisis, and have to say I am somewhat disappointed in them as a lager hop. Too much "c-hop" character....if you like your pilsners to taste like Henry Weinhardts, then this hop's for you!
Skotrat recently recommended Vanguards, and I have to give them 5 stars.....they are definitely noble hop in terms of flavor and aroma. I have not used Sterling, so I can't comment on them. I have used Santiam, which is often brought up a lager hop, and I have to put them in the same category as Mt. Hoods....too much c-hop character, can be used somewhat as a bittering hop for lagers, otherwise should be left out of them. |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 8522
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.57.225.170
| | Posted on Sunday, February 17, 2008 - 02:05 am: |
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The Mt. Hoods will be used in a German wheat beer recipe that originally specified Hallertaus. It uses only bittering and flavor hops (no late additions) and only to 15 IBUs. I suspect I'll be all right.
Thanks for the Vanguard recommendation, though, Chumley. I'll keep on the lookout for them. |
Destroyer
Junior Member
Username: Destroyer
Post Number: 63
Registered: 07-2007
Posted From: 68.36.6.194
| | Posted on Sunday, February 17, 2008 - 02:08 am: |
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I had a very nice Vanguard vine going for a couple of years before the DOWNY MILDEW OF DOOM came and killed everything. I did like the Vanguards very much, but even in good years I find them a little difficult to find. |
Steve Haun
Intermediate Member
Username: Stevehaun
Post Number: 283
Registered: 02-2003
Posted From: 69.4.118.216
| | Posted on Sunday, February 17, 2008 - 04:55 pm: |
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I know this is all a personal preference thing, but I don't like Sterling hops. Last year I used Liberty and was very pleased. I bought Mt Hood for this year's lagers. |
Graham Cox
Senior Member
Username: T2driver
Post Number: 1513
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 68.32.253.156
| | Posted on Sunday, February 17, 2008 - 09:07 pm: |
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A batch of Sterling that I had a couple of years ago tasted like fruit punch to me.
I went to a brewpub in Milwaukee and had one of their beers. I couldn't quite break out the hop varieties in it, but it had enough of the same character that I guessed correctly that it had Sterling in it, which the brewer confirmed, much to his surprise. |
Jim O'Conner
Senior Member
Username: Roguejim
Post Number: 1046
Registered: 06-2003
Posted From: 67.133.59.72
| | Posted on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 02:43 am: |
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Can't wait to try my Liberty in a pils. I have 2LBS. My Tetts are running out. I think I'd be willing trade one of my lbs of Liberty for a lb of Tett. Any takers? |
Steve Haun
Intermediate Member
Username: Stevehaun
Post Number: 284
Registered: 02-2003
Posted From: 65.126.87.193
| | Posted on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 04:49 pm: |
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I must have got my sterlings from the same field as Graham. I hope I am not disappointed with the Mt Hood I bought for this year. I do still have some Liberty hops left over from last year. |
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