fuggles

[chambkan]

I find that the Alpha acids vary significantly on packs of fuggles as quoted on the pack.

from 2 different suppliers, i had one at 3.4% and one at 6%.

Would the one with the lower alpha be better at adding aroma at the end of the boil and the higher better at the beginning of the boil?

could you assume the higher to be of better quality?

thanks

martin

 

[pittsy]

i don't know for sure but they are prob from different areas (where grown) or maybe different year of harvest thus diff AA :hmm:

 

[matthew]

As pittsy said it could be different growing areas or the year of harvest, you could use either at the start or for aroma just adjust the amounts used, but check which is from the latest harvest... which ever you go for hope its a good brew :thumb:

 

[Good Ed]

Alpha Acid units for hops are used for measuring bitterness in beer in IBU's, all hops vary in AA % depending on variety, growing conditions etc, nature is variable. Use the calculator on the forum to work out weights of hops with different AA's.

AA's have nothing to do with quality, however you are correct that usually the higher AA hops are used at the start of the boil and the lower AA "aroma" hops towards the end. Commercially this has been the case due to economics, but as craftbrewers we can do what we want.

 

[RobWalker]

Just so you know those readings arn't 100% accurate - they can only get a general idea of the overall harvest by taking samples, they can't measure the AA% of individual hop packages, as it were. I usually aim in the "safe zone" when calculating IBU's in that respect, that way if it's less or more bitter, it'll still taste good!