Perle Hops
If you have been thinking about home brewing, you may want to consider Perle Hops as an option to add flavor to your brew. Perle Hops come from Germany and did not make it to the United States until the 1980's. Currently it is grown in Oregon and Washington and it is the most commonly used hop in Germany. It is considered a dual-purpose hop, since it is very flexible and can be used in combination with other hops as well.
The Perle Hop is actually very easy to grow and is a favorite in Germany because it is tolerant to wilting and mildew. The aroma is moderate and flavor is fruity and spicy. Some may even describe as slightly floral as well. An advantage to the Perle Hops, even for home brewing, is the bittering and/or finishing effect that it has with such beers as pilsners and lagers. It is also used in pale ales and porters as well. A very versatile hop to use in many different beer types.
Perle Hops is also available in both pellet and leaf form, depending on the needs of the home brew. It stores well also, with a 70-80% of alpha acids that remain after six months of storage. The storage does however need to be at room temperature to keep the alpha acid levels. It matures in mid to late season and is a very stable and hearty hop.
Lastly, if you are looking for a Perle Hop and can not find what you are looking for. You can also substitute with Mt. Hood, Liberty, and Hallertau as well. Whichever hop you choose, using Perle is definitely a good choice.
