Pride of Ringwood: Hop-tastic Brews for Aussie Booze Enthusiasts

Reading Time: around 13 min

Pride of Ringwood hops are the Aussie rockstars of the brewing world. Born in the land down under, these hops bring a unique flavor to your beer that’ll make you want to do a shoey. Pride of Ringwood hops work best in:

British ales, Australian ales, and Australian lagers.

You might think these hops are just another pretty face, but they’ve got the bite to back it up. With their high alpha acid content, they’re not here to play nice – they’re here to bitter your brew like a cranky kangaroo.

But don’t let that scare you off, mate. When used right, these hops…

…can add a spicy, fruity aroma that’ll have you saying “crikey” with every sip.

Want to brew like an Aussie? Throw some Pride of Ringwood in your next batch and watch the magic happen. Just remember, a little goes a long way – unless you want your beer to punch you in the face like a boxing kangaroo. Now that’s a fair dinkum brew!

Key Takeaways

Pride of Ringwood hops excel in British and Australian-style beers
These hops pack a bitter punch with high alpha acids
When used late in brewing, they add spicy and fruity notes

Dive Into the Down Under: Origins of Pride of Ringwood

Ever wondered where your Aussie beer gets its unique flavor? Look no further than Pride of Ringwood hops! This hop variety was born in the land of kangaroos and koalas back in 1953.

Picture this: You’re in Melbourne, sipping a cold one at a Carlton and United Breweries research facility. That’s where the magic happened, mate! Bill Nash, a clever bloke, bred this hop in the suburb of Ringwood.

Now, you might think Pride of Ringwood is some fancy import. Nope! It’s as Aussie as Vegemite on toast. This hop is the result of open pollination with its English cousin, Pride of Kent.

Here’s a fun fact for your next trivia night:

🍺 Pride of Ringwood once made up 90% of all hops grown in Australia!

Talk about dominating the scene! It’s like the Crocodile Dundee of hops.

Rugged, iconic, and unmistakably Australian.

So next time you crack open a tinnie, raise a toast to Bill Nash and the suburb of Ringwood. They gave us a hop that’s as true blue as they come!

Main Characteristics

Purpose: Bittering
Aromas: Spicy, Fruity, Citrus
Notes: Resinous, Possible Woody
Alpha-acids: 7.0% – 11.0% [bitterness added through boiling]
Beta-acids: 4.0% – 8.0% [bitterness added through maturation]
Cohumulone: 26% – 39% of alpha-acids [bitterness profile: low = smooth, high = sharp]
Hops oil breakdown: 0.9 – 2.0 mL / 100g [responsible for flavors and aromas]
- Myrcene: 25% – 50% [resinous, citrus, fruity]
- Humulene: 2% – 8% [noble, woody, spicy]
- Caryophyllene: 5% – 10% [spicy, piney, herbal]
- Farnesene: 0% – 1% [fresh, green, floral]

The Alpha Dog of Hops: Analyzing Acidity

Pride of Ringwood isn’t just another pretty hop. It’s got some serious bite when it comes to acids. The acids we are all after. Let’s dig into what makes this Aussie hop a true alpha dog.

Alpha Acid Content: The Bitter Truth

Brainstorming how your beer can pack quite a punch? Look no further than Pride of Ringwood’s alpha acids. These little powerhouses clock in at a whopping 7-11%. That’s like having a bouncer for your taste buds!

When you toss these hops into your brew, they’re not messing around.

They’ll give your beer that crisp bitterness faster than you can say “G’day mate.” Perfect for when you want to brew up an Australian lager that’ll make your mates go “Crikey!”

But don’t let the numbers scare you. With great power comes great responsibility.

And Pride of Ringwood knows how to play nice in your brew.

Beta Acid Bonanza: A Bittering Backup

Now, let’s chat about beta acids. They’re like the understudy to alpha’s lead role. Pride of Ringwood’s got about 4-8% beta acids. Not too shabby!

These sneaky acids are the long-game players. They don’t bitter your beer right away, but give them time, and they’ll add a subtle kick. It’s like a flavor time bomb in your brew.

Want to age your beer? Beta acids have got your back. They’ll keep things interesting long after the alphas have done their job. It’s like having a built-in flavor preservative. How’s that for efficiency?

Not Just Another Scent: Unraveling Aroma Profiles

Pride of Ringwood hops bring a unique bouquet to your brew. Let’s sniff out the aromatic compounds that make this Aussie variety stand out from the crowd.

Hoppy Aromatics: The Myrcene Mystique

Ever caught a whiff of pine trees on a sunny day? That’s myrcene talking. Pride of Ringwood packs a punch with this essential oil. It gives your beer that classic “hoppy” scent you know and love. But wait, there’s more!

Myrcene also adds hints of citrus and fruits.

Picture yourself sipping a brew that smells like a walk through an orange grove. Yum! The total oil content in Pride of Ringwood isn’t sky-high, but it can go up as high as 2 ml per 100 grams. Which is enough oomph to make your nose happy.

Remember, a little goes a long way with this hop.

Spicy Whiffs: Humulene and Caryophyllene

Ready for a spice rack in your glass? Humulene and caryophyllene bring the heat to Pride of Ringwood’s aroma party. Humulene adds spicy and woody notes. It’s like your beer took a stroll through a cedar forest. Fancy, right?

Caryophyllene kicks things up with peppery and herbal hints.

It’s the secret ingredient that gives your brew a subtle bite.

Together, these oils create a complex scent profile. Your nose will thank you for the adventure. Who knew hops could be so entertaining?

A Walk Through the Style Garden: Perfect Pairs for Pride of Ringwood

Ready to take your taste buds on a hoppy adventure? Let’s explore the beer styles that Pride of Ringwood calls home. This Aussie hop isn’t just a one-trick pony!

First stop: Australian Lager. It’s like Pride of Ringwood was born for this! The hop’s clean bitterness and subtle fruitiness make your lager crisp and refreshing. Perfect for those scorching Aussie summers, mate.

Next up: Australian Sparkling Ale. One of my personal favorites. This style lets Pride of Ringwood shine with its spicy notes. It’s like a party in your mouth, and everyone’s invited!

Feeling a bit British? Try an English Pale Ale. Pride of Ringwood’s earthy tones will make you feel like you’re sipping tea in the Queen’s garden. Except it’s beer. And it’s better.

For the bold and beautiful, there’s American Pale Ale. The hop’s high alpha acids bring a punch of bitterness that’ll wake up your taste buds faster than your morning coffee.

Want to go dark? Stouts love Pride of Ringwood too. Its subtle spicy and fruity aroma plays nice with roasted malts. It’s like a chocolate-covered berry, but in beer form. Yum!

Remember, brewing with Pride of Ringwood is like dancing.

It takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be the star of the beer ball!

Bitter-Sweet Symphony: Brewing Chemistry and Choice

Pride of Ringwood hops bring a unique flavor dance to your brew. Let’s explore how to use these Aussie gems and craft the perfect beer with them.

Hop to It: Brewing Recipes and the Ringwood Rapport

Want to make your beer sing with Pride of Ringwood? Here’s the lowdown: Add 0.5-1 oz at 60 minutes for bittering in a 5-gallon batch. For aroma, toss in 0.5-1 oz at 5 minutes or at flameout. These hops play well with others, so don’t be shy to mix and match!

Try them in an Australian Pale Ale or Lager. They’ll give your brew a crisp, clean bitterness that’ll make you say “G’day mate!” to your taste buds. Just remember, a little goes a long way with these potent fellas.

Which can be a good thing if that’s your game.

Style Name	Brewing Stage	Min of Oz per gallon	Max of Oz per gallon	Min of Oz per batch [5gal]	Max of Oz per batch [5gal]	Average of Oz per gallon
Australian Sparkling Ale	Aroma	0.03	0.29	0.13	1.45	0.12
	Bittering	0.03	0.35	0.13	1.77	0.12
	Dry Hop	0.04	0.19	0.22	0.95	0.14
	First Wort	0.07	0.18	0.37	0.91	0.12
	Flavor	0.03	0.36	0.16	1.82	0.1
	Whirlpool	0.1	0.18	0.48	0.91	0.14
Australian Sparkling Ale Total		0.03	0.36	0.13	1.82	0.12
American Pale Ale	Aroma	0.06	0.6	0.32	3	0.21
	Bittering	0.03	0.47	0.16	2.34	0.14
	Flavor	0.06	0.19	0.32	0.93	0.11
	Whirlpool	0.2	0.6	0.98	3	0.4
American Pale Ale Total		0.03	0.6	0.16	3	0.16
American IPA	Aroma	0.07	0.27	0.35	1.34	0.15
	Bittering	0.03	0.31	0.17	1.56	0.17
	Dry Hop	0.03	0.32	0.14	1.6	0.19
	Flavor	0.03	0.09	0.14	0.44	0.07
American IPA Total		0.03	0.32	0.13	1.6	0.14
International Pale Lager	Aroma	0.03	0.06	0.13	0.29	0.04
	Bittering	0.06	0.27	0.29	1.34	0.11
	Flavor	0.05	0.08	0.26	0.39	0.06
International Pale Lager Total		0.03	0.27	0.13	1.34	0.08
Blonde Ale	Aroma	0.09	0.13	0.45	0.67	0.11
	Bittering	0.03	0.16	0.16	0.8	0.1
	Flavor	0.06	0.11	0.32	0.56	0.09
Blonde Ale Total		0.03	0.16	0.16	0.8	0.1
Ordinary Bitter	Bittering	0.1	0.24	0.48	1.2	0.15
	Flavor	0.09	0.22	0.45	1.11	0.16
Ordinary Bitter Total		0.09	0.24	0.45	1.2	0.15

Style Name	Brewing Stage	Min of Grams per liter	Max of Grams per liter	Min of Grams per batch [20ltr]	Max of Grams per batch [20ltr]	Average of Grams per liter
Australian Sparkling Ale	Aroma	0.19	2.17	3.85	43.48	0.9
	Bittering	0.19	2.65	3.81	52.91	0.9
	Dry Hop	0.33	1.43	6.51	28.57	1.04
	First Wort	0.56	1.36	11.11	27.23	0.92
	Flavor	0.24	2.72	4.76	54.47	0.71
	Whirlpool	0.71	1.36	14.29	27.23	1.01
Australian Sparkling Ale Total		0.19	2.72	3.81	54.47	0.87
American Pale Ale	Aroma	0.48	4.5	9.52	90	1.57
	Bittering	0.24	3.5	4.76	70	1.08
	Flavor	0.48	1.4	9.52	28	0.85
	Whirlpool	1.46	4.5	29.23	90	3
American Pale Ale Total		0.24	4.5	4.76	90	1.21
American IPA	Aroma	0.53	2	10.57	40	1.15
	Bittering	0.25	2.33	5	46.67	1.26
	Dry Hop	0.21	2.4	4.17	48.08	1.38
	Flavor	0.21	0.65	4.17	13.04	0.51
American IPA Total		0.21	2.4	4	48.08	1.04
International Pale Lager	Aroma	0.2	0.43	4	8.7	0.27
	Bittering	0.43	2	8.7	40	0.81
	Flavor	0.38	0.59	7.69	11.76	0.47
International Pale Lager Total		0.2	2	4	40	0.61
Blonde Ale	Aroma	0.68	1	13.62	20	0.84
	Bittering	0.24	1.2	4.76	24	0.74
	Flavor	0.48	0.83	9.52	16.67	0.71
Blonde Ale Total		0.24	1.2	4.76	24	0.75
Ordinary Bitter	Bittering	0.71	1.8	14.29	36	1.1
	Flavor	0.68	1.67	13.62	33.33	1.21
Ordinary Bitter Total		0.68	1.8	13.62	36	1.09

*This data consists of hundreds of thousands of manually input recipes and, despite best efforts, they may contain errors leading to very high max amounts, or be someone’s attempt for experimental brew. You should consider this data more as an overview of how different ingredients were used for different styles to get inspiration. Please do not attempt to add up different lines as it’s all about proportions.

The Potter’s Wheel: Molding the Perfect Beer

Crafting with Pride of Ringwood is like being a beer sculptor. You’ve got to shape that brew just right! Start with a solid malt base – think Maris Otter or Pale Ale malt. Then, sprinkle in some Crystal malt for sweetness.

Now, here’s where the magic happens.

Add your Pride of Ringwood hops early for that signature bitter punch. Want more complexity? Throw in some fruity hops like Cascade at the end. You can also combine a bit of our Australian hero for aroma to give that signature spicy-fruity vibe.

Your yeast choice matters too. An clean-fermenting ale yeast will let those hop flavors shine. Ferment cool for a crisp finish. Voila! You’ve just molded a masterpiece in your mash tun.

Creating a Brew-haha: Related Hop Comparisons

Want to spice up your Pride of Ringwood brew? Let’s hop to it!

This Aussie superstar plays well with others, so don’t be shy about mixing it up.

Coming back to the roots? Pair Pride of Ringwood with its parent, Pride of Kent. It’s like a family reunion in your fermenter! For a zesty twist, try adding some Centennial or Cascade. Your taste buds will do a happy dance.

Out of Pride of Ringwood? No worries, mate! Here are some pinch hitters:

Cluster: An old-school American hop with similar bittering power
Galena: Brings the bite without the bark
Northern Brewer: A bit more complex, but gets the job done

Check out this handy comparison:

Hop Variety	Alpha Acids	Aroma Profile
Pride of Ringwood	7-11%	Spicy, fruity
Cluster	5.5-8.5%	Floral, spicy
Galena	11-14%	Citrusy, spicy
Northern Brewer	6-10%	Herbal, floral

Remember, brewing is an adventure! Don’t be afraid to mix and match.

Your next beer could be the talk of the town – or at least your garage.

The Geography of Flavor: Where In the World Is Ringwood Grown?

Pride of Ringwood hops have a story that spans continents. These little green cones have put down roots in some unexpected places, giving your beer a taste of adventure.

Victoria’s Secret: A State’s Pride

You might think Victoria’s only secret is its fashion shows, but this Aussie state has another trick up its sleeve. It’s the birthplace of Pride of Ringwood hops! Back in the 1950s, a clever chap named Bill Nash bred these beauties at the Ringwood Hop Research Station.

Victoria’s climate is perfect for growing hops. Hot summers, cool winters – it’s like a spa day for hop plants. The soil here is rich and fertile, giving the hops their unique flavor profile.

Want to taste a bit of Victoria? Look for beers with a spicy, fruity kick.

That’s the Pride of Ringwood talking!

Tasmania’s Twang: An Island of Hops

Hop on over to Tasmania, where Pride of Ringwood has found a second home. This island state is like a hop playground. Cool nights, long summer days – it’s hop heaven!

Tassie’s Pride of Ringwood hops have a bit of an attitude. They’re bold, with a higher alpha acid content than their mainland cousins. You’ll find these hops adding a punchy bitterness to many Aussie lagers.

Fun fact: Tasmania grows about 1% of the world’s hops. Small island, big flavor!

Globetrotting Hops: The International Scene

Pride of Ringwood isn’t just an Aussie thing anymore. These hops have packed their bags and gone global. You’ll find them strutting their stuff in India, adding a touch of Down Under to the subcontinent’s brews.

But here’s the kicker – they’re not quite the same overseas. Different soil, different climate, different hop. It’s like sending your mate on vacation and getting back a slightly different person.

Want to try the real deal? Stick to Aussie for that authentic Pride of Ringwood flavor.

Your taste buds will thank you for the trip!

Harvest Time! When To Pick the Pride

Ready to pluck those Pride of Ringwood hops? You’re in for a treat! These Aussie beauties are like the kangaroos of the hop world – they bounce with flavor when picked just right.

Keep your eyes peeled for that golden moment. The cones should feel dry and papery, like crisp autumn leaves. Give them a gentle squeeze – if they spring back, they’re saying “G’day mate, I’m ready!”

Here’s a quick checklist for your hop-picking adventure:

Cones are light green to yellowish
Lupulin glands are bright yellow and fragrant
Stems are browning
Cones easily detach from the bine

Don’t wait too long, or you’ll miss the party!

Over-ripe hops are about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.

For the best Pride of Ringwood flavor, harvest in the morning after the dew has dried. You’ll capture that spicy, fruity aroma that’ll make your brews sing like a kookaburra.

Remember, timing is everything. Pick too early, and your beer might taste like lawn clippings. Too late, and you’ll get a mouthful of compost. But hit that sweet spot, and you’ll be the toast of the town!

So grab your mates, crank up some AC/DC, and get picking.

Your future beers are counting on you!

A Bump in the Beer: Pest and Disease Resistance

Ever wondered if your hops could throw a punch? Well, Pride of Ringwood can!

This Aussie hop variety isn’t just a pretty face in your brew.

Pride of Ringwood has some tricks up its sleeve when it comes to fighting off pesky invaders. It’s like the bouncer of the hop world, keeping unwanted guests out of your beer party.

Got a downy mildew problem? Pride of Ringwood says, “No worries, mate!” It’s got a decent resistance to this common hop nemesis. You’ll spend less time fretting over fuzzy leaves and more time dreaming up your next beer recipe.

But don’t get too cocky!

While Pride of Ringwood can handle some threats, it’s not invincible. You still need to keep an eye on your hop garden. Think of it as a tough kid who can hold their own in a schoolyard scrap, but might need a band-aid now and then.

Remember, a healthy hop is a happy hop. And happy hops make for delicious beer. So give your Pride of Ringwood the TLC it deserves, and it’ll reward you with those signature flavors in your next brew.

Damian

A lifelong learner, hop enthusiast and a lover of the state of extreme exhaustion.

Finance Analyst in the Investment Bank and co-founder of hopsmatcher.com