Dry Hop: Zeus or Azacca?

[John Sand]

I just put a Rye PA on tap, I have an IPA fermenting. The rye has Centennial and Cascade, all in the boil. It's quite citrusy, I expect the hops to mellow a bit. The IPA has Columbus Horizon and Amarillo. In the past I have dry hopped this recipe with Cascade or Amarillo and liked it. I don't want the two beers to be similar, I'm out of Amarillo, Cascade and Centennial are both in the other brew. I also have CTZ (Zeus), Azacca, Aramis, Fuggles, Horizon, Perle and Progress. I'm not really considering the European hops, mostly the Azacca and Zeus, though the Horizon is not out of the question. I suppose the Aramis might not be bad either. What do you think? What plays well? Have you used Azacca? Thanks

[mashani]

Azacca is more citrus fruity and tropical, the piney is mellow. It is like Simcoe except everything is backwards (what is strong in Simcoe is weaker in it, what is weak in Simcoe is stronger in it). It would sub in good for Amarillo except be a bit less juicy and slightly piney. But it is most certainly not CTZ if your looking for that rougher piney edge.

I love Aramis in Belgians/Saisons, but it's going to be like a European hop with slight citrus, so I'm not sure if it will give you what you want? It is more like Streisselspalt then anything else.

I've never used Horizon.

[Beer-lord]

To me there's a huge difference between Zeus and Azacca. But to get anything out of Azacca I need to add about double the hops in my dry hop but I do like it as a dry hop. I find it also pairs very well with Mosaic if you every wanted something a bit different.

[John Sand]

Thanks guys, I expect them to be different. I'm soliciting advice on the suitability and combination, so your input is helpful. I'm right now leaning toward the Horizon because it's in two ounce packs. The others are sealed 1/2 pounds.

[Kealia]

I've never used Azacca, sorry I'm no help.

[mashani]

I've never used Azacca, sorry I'm no help.

I like it but Beer Lord is right in that for late additions or dry hop you might want to use 2x more then your use to if you really want it to stand out on its own, otherwise it's just going to "blend in".

[Beer-lord]

I just remembered that a few months back I got some Patreon deals on hops at Yakima and think I got 1/2 pound (maybe 1 lb) of Azacca in that deal. So it looks like I'll have to create a pale ale and Azacca it up to enjoy them. Like I said, Azacca and Mosaic are nice together and add some Citra and, well, I can't even talk about it!

[John Sand]

I'm leaning toward Horizon, which is described as a good dry hop and is already in the beer. I'm planning an all Azacca PA too.

[John Sand]

I used the Horizon, I'm happy with it. My beer tester (Jane) likes it too.

[Kealia]

Well, as it turns out I'll be using Azacca in a recipe that I've brewed a few times so hopefully I can pick out what it brings to the party.

[John Sand]

I'd like to hear about your results.
An Azacca Pale is still on my list to brew, maybe soon.