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HBC 438 Hop Pellets - 1 oz. (Pellets)
HRON1

HBC 438 Hop Pellets - 1 oz. (Pellets)

THIS ITEM HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED
Description

HBC438 is a new experimental hop that has an unofficial name of  Ron Mexico, due to its native US neomexicanus  hop heritage.  Aside from a complex aroma character, this hop is also unique for a couple more reasons.  First and foremost, all proceeds from the sales of these hops go to ALS.net and help fund the ALS Therapy Development Institute, the world's largest non-profit biotech focused entirely on ALS Research.

On top of an amazing aroma and helping fund ALS research, these hops are also unique in their availability.  Rather than the hop breeders finish the testing of this experimental hop internally like normal and then release to the commercial market, they are turning the tables and trying something new!  HBC 438 is being released EXCLUSIVELY to the Homebrewing community first. Then in the future with more supply they will release it to commercial brewers. So the tables are flipped - Pro brewers will be reading your reviews and seeing what you thought of the hottest new hop. 

While we know this hop has enticing aromas of stone and tropical fruit, orange, mint, and herbal, we don't know what beers will make it shine. Vinnie from Russian River Brewing (of Pliny fame) used this hop in an experimental beer brewed for the National Homebrewers Conference. We recently attended a talk where he raved about this hop. Now's your chance to be among the first developers of recipes that incorporate this hop.  Let your creative genius shine, and see what you can brew.
 

Hop Statistics:

Alpha Acids: 14-18%
Beta Acids: 6-7%
Alpha-Beta Ratio: 2 - 3
Cohumulone: (% of alpha acids): 20-25%
Total Oils in mls per 100 grams dried: 2.5-3.5
Storage (% alpha acids remaining after 6 months storage at 68° F): N/A

Item # HRON1
Shipping Eligible for Free Shipping Program
Availability Item has been Discontinued
Weight 0.07 LBS
Community Q&A

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Why did you choose this?
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Tastes delicious. Packs a huge pineapple tropical punch and I want more of it
Aaron E on Jun 28, 2019
This hop tastes amazing. I used an ounce in a 5 gallon batch of cider, and it was fantastic.
Charles F on Apr 4, 2019
Tastes delicious. Packs a huge pineapple tropical punch and I want more of it
Aaron E on Jun 28, 2019
Using in a smash ipa
Cody U on Jun 1, 2019
This hop tastes amazing. I used an ounce in a 5 gallon batch of cider, and it was fantastic.
Charles F on Apr 4, 2019
Love the minty and tropical character from this hop.
Mason W on Mar 21, 2019
different hops
James S on Dec 31, 2018
Homebrew competition
Alexander W on Oct 13, 2018
Cool hop that goes to a good cause
Bryan R on Sep 25, 2018
Wanted to play with a pelletized cousin of the wild hops around my home state
Bathtub Row B on Aug 13, 2018
Need it for a recipe repeat.
James H on Aug 2, 2018
compliments new zealand hops in my ipa
Randy S. Akam on Jul 30, 2018
saw this in zymurgy magazine and really wanted to try it. It's a little expensive, but i hope that it turns out to be worth it.
James R on Jul 7, 2018
Tried before and liked it
Robert W on Jun 26, 2018
It was listed on the recipe I am using
Henry F K on Jun 2, 2018
Saison recipe from AHA
Andrew R on Mar 9, 2018
Interested in characteristics of this hop
William Ihburg J on Feb 6, 2018
I tasted Cloudburst's Now Memories IPA and it was my favorite beer of 2017.
FREDERIC V on Jan 31, 2018
Exclusivity to home brewers
Matt D on Jan 31, 2018
Becasue ti was released to homebrewers, is a dual purpose hops with fruity aromas and taste
Richard B on Jan 25, 2018
Great flavor and aroma, but unavailable elsewhere
Kevin W on Jan 23, 2018
Using in a smash ipa
Cody U on Jun 1, 2019
Love the minty and tropical character from this hop.
Mason W on Mar 21, 2019
So, one oz or two oz for each of 10, 5, and DH? How strong is this stuff?
Steve P on Dec 28, 2018
BEST ANSWER: I used it in a 'Hoppy Brown'. 1 oz to whirlpool for 20 min and 2 oz dry hop for 5 days. My other hop addition to the beer was 1 oz of Ahtanum to the boil for 15 minutes. Hops balanced well with the malt backbone.
Why is this only available in 1oz??
Alex Perkins on May 24, 2018
BEST ANSWER: This is a rare and exclusive hop for homebrewers. It may become more available as it grows in popularity.
Reviews

4.9 / 5.0
7 Reviews
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Star
6
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Rated 5 out of 5
HBC-438 gives the beer citrus taste...
...and a pineapple aroma. This is my first all grain "experience, so we will see what makes it out of the fermentation.
1st all grain. Baby steps, as in 2.5 gallons to start.
1st all grain. Baby steps, as in 2.5 gallons to start.
May 3, 2018
Purchased
over 6 years ago
Rated 5 out of 5
My Favorite Hop for IPA's
HBC-438 continues to be my favorite hop for single hop IPA's. Along with Falconers Flight, these hops are bright and clean in the finished beer.
February 12, 2018
Purchased
over 6 years ago
Rated 5 out of 5
Amazing Hop, but so expensive
January 28, 2018
Purchased
over 6 years ago
Rated 5 out of 5
Don’t buy this hop so I can buy more!
Love this hop! Loaded with oils. Tropical fruit aroma and flavor.
January 26, 2018
Purchased
over 6 years ago
Rated 5 out of 5
These are some of my favorite IPA hops!
HBC-438 is a great bittering, aroma, and dry hop. I have made several batches of single hop IPA's with HBC-438, and each one is fantastic! Grapefruit, citrus, and gauva shine through, but there is sufficient bitterness to balance the dankness. These hops give a bright refreshing taste, similar to my favorite hop combo of Simcoe (bittering), Mosaic (aroma and dry hop), and Nelson Sauvin.

Hopefully these hops will be available for a long time to come!
August 3, 2017
Rated 5 out of 5
That aroma!
It's so good. Very fruity. Good for a pale ale or IPA.
May 15, 2017
Rated 4 out of 5
Enjoyed
I brewed a 1gallon test batch, and now kegging a 3gal batch.

American Blond style SMaSH, 1.050 OG all Maris Otter, 13.5IBU HBC-438 at 60 mins, 5IBU HBC-438 at 5min, fermented with WLP-200 blend from here at Morebeer.com

Earthy, nutty, slightly dank, slightly fruity, very drinkable.
September 10, 2016