homebrewandbeer.com

Righto then. Just put down a brew tonight which was:

Coopers Bavarian can
1kg malt mix from Cellarplus in north Melbourne
Saflager W34/70
25g Mt Hood hops

Boil Malt mix for 10mins in 2.5l water, then add can and boil another 10mins, then 25g Mt Hood and boil for another 1minute. Top up to 21Ltrs total.

My question is - I have a Hersbrucker teabag laying about idle at the minute. My feeling is to add it about 5days in after steeping for 10mins in boiling water. Anyone got any opinions on how this might turn out? Might the hop flavour be too overpowering? Having never used Mt Hood hops before I am not too aware of their strength/flavour qualities.....its experimentation time......anyone done something similar? How'd it go? Cheers.

Ben,
I haven't used Mt. Hood previously so can't comment on flavour or aroma, you have added them for a one minute boil which will give you some flavour and aroma but little if any added bitterness.
So that you can get an idea of flavour and aroma of this hop type I would suggest that you leave the tea bag of Hersbrucker for another brew.

Were the Mt. Hood hops, pellets, plugs, flowers or the tea bag type. The tea bag hops unless very fresh and stored correctly (in the freezer) lose alot of their flavour and aroma and are not the best, when you open the pack if you can't smell an intense aroma then they won't add anything to your beer ( or very little anyway).

If you do decide to use the Hersbrucker, there is no need to steep or boil them when adding them (dry hopping) to secondary, just throw them in as is.

Cheers
AC

AussieClaret - the Mt Hood hops were the pellet type. They certainly didn't smell as strong as Hersbrucker pellets do, to my nose anyway. They were suggested as a finishing hop for a german or american style lager, since i am aiming (very roughly) at a german style lager, should be orright.

Might just hang on to the teabag for another brew as you suggest. Ah, the virtues of patience.

Now I'm thinking I should've boiled up the Mt Hood for longer.....hmmm. Next time then. Never mind, this one will turn out just as drinkable as all the rest, if the good lord's willin' and the creek don't rise

Good luck with it BenH Can I ask where you found the Mt Hood?

sure Chris, found the Mt Hood at CellarPlus in North Melbourne. Comes in a 25g sealed pack of pellets. Are you in Melbourne? If so, its just near the Vic Markets and is also known as Australian Winemakers.