Ken’s Hop Maxim

I really do like them and I have never been disappointed by the condition of their hops.  I ordered a half pound of Hallertau Mitt and they sent 2 ounces.  I emailed them back and they sent another half pound.  I also agree with BB that Hop Heaven is fantastic.  It's been awhile since I ordered from YCH but I know I have because I have some of their stickers.    I think the whole concept hit me very hard when I made some very good beer with some very fresh hops that I got at either HH or YVH.  Then I had some other beers put on tap that just had this flat, "something is missing" character and those were brewed with Artisan hops from MoreBeer and I made a note that the hops didn't seem very fresh or aromatic on brewday.  That was enough for me to understand that we might have to be a little more demanding of our hops.  I think I mentioned this but I walked into a supplier once and there was a pile of hops on a table that they were putting into 1-ounce bags.  I left but realized later that I forgot something and I stopped in there the next day or two days later.  The same pile of hop pellets was still on that table.  I know because when I walked in the first time "what kind of hops?"... COLUMBUS.  When I walked into the store the second time I asked again.  COLUMBUS.  I have no idea if hop pellets sitting out in the air for 2+ days would make them deteriorate but since I vac-seal mine I have to assume it's not good.  So it's HH, YVH and YCH for me from now on.  Also, I'm not necessarily shit-talking Artisan hops but I have been burned so this is just an N=1.  It's like the difference between picking up bread at the grocery store or at the bakery.  Some may not mind or notice.  It can be a nuanced thing but if I'm going to put the effort into homebrewed beer, I'd like it to be as good as I can make it.   

Have ordered Artisan hops from morebeer in the past- useally on the hop stock market gimmick they have- I'd see if anything was on sale.

The results have been extremely hit and miss. I've picked up a lb of El Dorado and it was fantastic! Picked up a half lb of CTZ, and the hops were grassy, didnt pack the same punch- can only guess it's how these hops are handled during packaging. I've sense stayed away from Artisan Hops.

Then several years ago, got turned on to YVH. I love how each hops has a vintage to it, never been disappointed in the quality of their hops. The first Friday flash sales are pretty sweet as well.

Also, being on the East Coast- the shipping is fast- but can be pricey for what your buying. So, I have a ongoing group message from half a dozen members of my brew club, that we essentially is a running list of material- we've found the sweet spot of ordering 5# of hops to max out the flat shipping is the biggest bang for the buck, and split the costs down the middle.



So far this year, got a lb each of Vic Secret, Galaxy and Citra, averaging about $16/lb. That's a steal.

We would love to join the wholesale department of YVH, but need a buisness to purchase.

A vac-sealer is your friend. I bought one on Amazon for something like $32. Open a pound or a half-pound package from YVH, measure out what you need and then vac-seal the rest and write the hop variety and the AA% on the bag, return to freezer. Easy stuff and the hops stay nice & fresh. Next time but the bag open, measure out what you need and vac-seal it back up.

I have one and it is great. But, I have so many old hops. I feel guilty about not using them.

So you're the one.  

You're the one whose brewery has a lack of stuff and a lack of hops.  Most brewers have a hard time restraining themselves when it comes to hops.  I used to buy hops in 1-2 ounce bags but eventually started with half and 1-pound bags.  It's cheaper.  As a consolation... unlike many homebrewers, I'm not really a 'tinkerer' like many others.  If I could buy an assembled homebrew gadget for $20 but other brewers could buy the stuff to make the same gadget for $18, they would absolutely buy the parts and build it themselves.  They also like to just build things in general.  I would do that if necessary and I'm mildly handy but I don't CRAVE that sort of thing.  There is a hop thread here somewhere featuring people who were already drowning in hops but couldn't resist the latest sale and bought more. 

Guilty, your honor.  

Yeah, I did the "unconscionable amount of assorted open packs" thing.  But eventually I realized that for me as a small batch brewer, there was simply no need for it.  So I cleared them out and have been able to keep open packs to the bare minimum.  Usually just a bittering hops, like Magnum.  I do the same with grain as well...no hanging on to multiple pounds of some obscure grain that was on sale or had a catchy description.  If I need 6oz of that grain for a beer, I buy 6oz.  If I can't, I don't buy it.

That's not to say that I don't have an inventory to brew one-offs, but my inventory is pretty streamlined and up-to-date.

And I'm with you, I'm not a tinkerer either. If I have to fiddle with something, I'm in big trouble!

I don't doubt his hops are fantastic, but unless I'm missing something, all the hops there are sold in minimum .5lb (8oz) quantities.  Other than a standard bittering hops like Magnum, that's just way more than I could ever use in a reasonable amount of time.