Styrian hops - help

[clibit]

As a newish brewer I've realised that I like commercial beers made with Styrian hops but am now confused by all the variants. Styria is a region which obviously grows different varieties but there seems to be some muddled marketing of them.

So far I am aware of various Styrian hops being sold under these brand names:

Styrian Golding (WikiP says - Slovenian variant of Fuggles, but similar to East Kent Goldings)
Savinja Golding - I read these are the same as Styrian Golding

Bobek (Wiki P - A delicate, spicy aroma hop, similar to Styrian Golding)
Styrian Golding B - I think are Bobek?

Celeia (wikiP says - (A triploid hybrid between autotetraploid Styrian Golding and 105/58 hybrid between Aurora (Super Styrian) and a Slovenian wild hop. Gives a pleasant hoppy aroma similar to other "Super Styrian" varieties)

I read somewhere that the above three used to be sold as a mix called Styrian Golding, but the EU put an end to that and they have to be sold individually now.

Aurora (Super Styrian) - (WikiP - a diploid hybrid between Northern Brewer and a TG seedling of unknown origin. Similar in aroma to Styrian Golding)

Styrian Atlas (WikiP - A diploid hybrid between Brewers Gold and 3/3 Slovenian wild hop. Similar to other "Super Styrian" hops)

Can anyone describe their experience with any of these hops and suggest how they should be used? Worcesterhops sell Bobek, Celeia and Aurora. I've bought Bobek and Aurora, but now thinking I have no genuine Styrians! If there is such a thing....maybe it's a generic name that involves various types. But what do British commercial brewers who use Styrians actually use?

I was weaned on Boddingtons back in the late 70s, and loved it. I have no idea if it contained Styrians, but on a trip to Edinburgh a few years ago the Deuchars reminded me of vintage Boddies. TTL to a lesser extent is of that type I think. Those last two use Styrian hops I believe. I'd love to make a brew that has the magic of those three beers at their best!!! Cheers.

 

[pittsy]

all i know is goldings is the 'one' often in begian recipes and i bit more traditional (i think) and a few of those are more modern type .

 

[clibit]

Thanks Pittsy. I've noticed shops selling Styrian Goldings (Celeia), some selling Styrian Goldings (Bobek), and others selling Styrian Goldings (Savijnski).

You can also buy Styrian Goldings (Dana), which I think are a different variety from the region, a new variety, which I missed out of the OP.

Has anyone ever focused in and tried different varieties and developed an understanding of which ones are the same and how much they vary?

 

[Good Ed]

I've mostly used Bobek, but my next order will be for Savinjki which are the closest to the original Styrian Golding strain. You can get them from the Malt Miller or another of the sponsers.

 

[clibit]

Have you used Celeia?

 

[Good Ed]

Have you used Celeia?

No I haven't I'm afraid.

Looking on the MM website Bobek, Celeia and Savinjski were all sold under the name Styrian Goldings and then after Slovenia joined the EU they are now available as separate varieties.

 

[clibit]

That's really helpful, thanks. I will order Celeia and Savinjski soon and try all three, plus Aurora, which I have just had delivered with Bobek. Seems like a fun bit of research!

Do you think retailers selling "Styrian Goldings" are all actually selling one of the three - Celeia, Bobek, Savinjskji? But not detailing which? Or all selling Savinjski?

 

[Good Ed]

Do you think retailers selling "Styrian Goldings" are all actually selling one of the three - Celeia, Bobek, Savinjskji? But not detailing which? Or all selling Savinjski?

They are probably just selling what they get their hand on, although they should say, if not ask them. I use Worcester Hop Shop and the Malt Miller, and both say what the variety is.

 

[clibit]

Interesting, I have just used Worcesterhops so far, but have a close eye on Maltmiller, which has a good range at good prices. Planning on trying some of theirs when I have worked through some of my current stock! So many hops, so little time....

And then there's the malts.

On a parallel theme, I got some Cascade from Worcesterhops, they had about 10.7% AA. Would these be NZ rather than American? Country of origin not given. They should provide that info I think. Or does cascade mean USA unless otherwise stated?

 

[Good Ed]

I think they will be US Cascade, I've never tried the NZ Cascade but they are very good I believe

 

[clibit]

The Slovenian Hop farmers' co-operative website (http://www.hmezad.si/?lang=en) lists the following varieties as those grown in Slovenia...

Styrian Golding
Styrian Golding B
Aurora
Extra Styrian Dana
Magnum


But no mention of Celeia. I'm thinking the top one is Savinjski, the second one is Bobek. Maybe. It's like a murder mystery.

 

[TheMumbler]

According to Simply Hops Celeia is a cross between Aurora and a wild hop.

From Barth-Haas Group

Slovenian varieties
Aurora
Extra Styrian Dana
Styrian Gold
Styrian Golding B = Bobek
Styrian Golding C = Celeia/Cerera
Styrian Savinjski Golding

There are links to pdfs on the site.

 

[Farmbrew]

I've used Styrian Goldings for summer ales, Saisons and witbier previously i.e. When you couldnt get the individual varieties.

I've used celeia since and it's flowery and a bit honeyed. I use this for all my summer beers...although I have to use lots as the alpha is so low. It's a great aroma hop.

F

 

[clibit]

So, Farmbrew, Celeia would be good in a golden ale? How do you use the other varieties?

Good link Mumbler. Hadn't come across Styrian Goldings C. I guess Extra = Super. Translation.

According to Barth Haas Group:

Styrian Savinjski Golding (The original SG, daughter of Fuggle) is a traditional Slovenian variety originating from the English variety Fuggle, which was brought to Slovenia in the early 19th century. This variety is known for its noble hop aroma and pleasant bitterness.

Styrian Gold (daughter of Savinjski Golding) was bred to improve the agronomic values of the traditional Savinsjki Golding and was released 2009.

Styrian Golding Celeia, (daughter of Savinjski Golding) This cultivar is grown mainly in Slovenia, but also in Styria/Austria. Celeia enjoys great popularity on account of its
characteristic aroma and its moderate alpha values.

Bobek, (daughter of Savinjski Golding), is known for its very good agronomic traits in hop production and processing.
(however, website of another slovenian hop grower http://www.hoppris.com/ says "Bobek is a diploid hybrid between Northern Brewer and a TG seedling of unknown origin.") Kinell....even the growers don't agree.

*********************************************************
Aurora (Super Styrian) (daughter of Northern Brewer) has an intense and pleasant hoppy aroma. Aurora is very suitable for extraction and for combination with other varieties in the brewing process.

Styrian Golding Dana, (daughter of Hallertau Magnum) Bred as a dual purpose (bitter and aroma) hop, Dana offers an intense hoppy aroma and a robust bitterness.


Over the summer I will try Bobek, Savinjski (which seems to be an improved version of the original), Celeia and Aurora. I will be starting with Aurora and Bobek.

 

[TheMumbler]

Sorry I managed to miss most of the thread when clicking through.

Answering the OP, I've used Bobek and Celeia and for Saisons and also as a late hop in bitters I think I prefer Celeia to Bobek but as Farmbrew says it is very low alpha so you need to use a fair bit. I have heard a few people complain that Bobek gives a bit of a "soapy" taste but I have never got that from it personally. I've never tried Savinjski so I would be interested to know how it compares to Bobek and Celeia.

The Styrian Goldings group are pretty commonly used in Belgian ales along with Saaz and they are generally very nice IMO. The 2012 Duvel Tripel hop with Saaz, Styrians and Citra was really good and I'm thinking of using that sort of a hop combination with a Saison/IPA kind of a thing along the similar lines to Flying Dog's Wildeman.

 

[TheMumbler]

Good link Mumbler. Hadn't come across Styrian Goldings C. I guess Extra = Super. Translation.

I guess Dana seem to be high alpha

 

[clibit]

Cheers. I hope the Bobek aren't soapy! Having read a few old threads, there seem to be quite a few people who love Styrian hops, so it would be good to know what type they favour.

 

[JKaranka]

For what it's worth, I've used Dana regularly, and it's not much of an aroma hop. It's ok for bittering (fairly clean) and can provide a bit of herb / spice, but in general not very exciting (although it's cheap!).

 

[Loetz]

Cool. Which beers make you think that you like Styrian hops? One of the locals here, 1516, uses it in an IPA and I find it to be ok. There is also a craft brewery in Slovenia called Human Fish which uses Styrian hops and is equally ok. Honestly I guess I like it but I can't say that it's something I seek out. I haven't been able to jump on that wagon. I was just there a few weeks ago for the second time and I can tell you that the locals are really proud of the stuff. Give Human Fish a google and maybe you can find a clone. Maybe they would be willing to give you a recipe if you ask. https://www.facebook.com/HumanFishBrewery I noticed that they mention Cascade/Dana in one of their posts.

 

[clibit]

I'll check the Human Fish out, the name demands it! As I said in the OP there are some English bitter ales that use Styrian hops and I figure I must like the hop. Boddington's, from Manchester, used to be a great beer, and was similar to the Deuchars beer now available from Edinburgh. They must share a similar grain mix as well as the hops. I am only bottling at the moment so I won't be able to create the texture of those beers, but the flavour would be good. And I am interested to see how much influence Styrian hops have on that flavour. I have read people raving about Styrian Goldings on here and other forums, people seem to match it up with Maris Otter in a golden ale and say it works really well.