Well I used Northern Brewer as my bitering hops. I only used 1 oz because I was going to use an oz of Amerillo at 20 min and another 0z at 2 min. I was hopping that the 20 min addition would have added some more bitterness however the Amerillo I used was pellets and I used a set of stockings to add them into the beer. I don't think I got nearly as much extraction from those hops as I should have as they just ended up clumped up at the bottom of the sock and mostly floated to the top of the boiling wort. The wort smelled sweeter than I expected it and I didn't get nearly as much aroma as I expected from using that much Amerillo at the end. This hop shortage really sucks. I really miss being able to get also anything I wanted in the whole leif form.

Richie

Just curious, how long have you been brewing? In suggestion to any comments that I might give.

I started brewing when I was in collage about 10 years ago but I took a break from it till about 2 years ago and I've been back in the swing of things ever since. I do about 10 to 12 batches a year. I woud brew more but I go to sea for a living anf so half the years I'm not home.

Richie

It could have been a old batch of hops, always give them a good smell, if they smell weak guess what there weak!


JP

Don't give up on the beer. I had one that didn't seem to get as bitter as I wanted, because I had too many hop pellets in one bag.

It turned out okay after all. Not the best, but certainly drinkable.

I've never used hop pellets, just whole leaf. Do you still use a hop bag when dissolving pellets? I've always seen others just dump in the pellet naked.

i have never used a hop bag and as long as you let it settle in the kettle before you drain or siphon then the hops will stay behind. if the disolved pellets make it into your primary then they will just settle out. They don't really make that big a mess.

my wife suggested tea bags, also a stainless steel mesh tea ball I heard work well. All in the name of experience.

We'll see.

Richie

I use paint strainer bags.

"i have never used a hop bag and as long as you let it settle in the kettle before you drain or siphon then the hops will stay behind. if the disolved pellets make it into your primary then they will just settle out. They don't really make that big a mess."

I guess it depends how much gets in. I had a clogged blow off hose and my first blow off mess from an excess of hop pellet gunk that made it into my primary.