Tardif de Bourgogne

Tardif de Bourgogne: Unleashing the Perfect Brew Style with a French Twist

Reading Time: around 10 min

Tardif de Bourgogne hops might just be your secret ingredient for that brew that has your pals begging for more. These little gems, with a name that pays homage to their French heritage meaning “Late Burgundy”…

…were never meant to be rock stars of the hop world.

But they sure can stir the pot of a flavor party.

Aroma hops like these are the unsung heroes giving your beer that je ne sais quoi. They’re grown in modest amounts in France’s Alsace region. And are perfect for when you fancy giving your pale ales and lagers a suave European flair.

So, you’ve got a brew day lined up, and Tardif de Bourgogne is playing hard to get? Keep calm and brew on, my friend. Just like finding a date for a cousin’s wedding, there are plenty of fish in the hop sea. 

Lacking Tardif de Bourgogne doesn’t mean you pull the plug on your brewing escapade. You can flirt with a similar variety. The old-timers did it with intuition, but don’t you worry, hop substitution isn’t rocket science.

It’s more like speed dating with hops until you find the one that gives you the butterflies.

Or in this case, the right aromas and bitterness.

Remember, brewing is part art, part science, and all adventure. Getting familiar with Tardif de Bourgogne hops and their substitutes will have you brewing concoctions that might just make it into the hall of fame at your local homebrew club. 

So go forth, explore the aroma, the bitterness, and the sheer excitement of matching hops to style like a maestro conducting a symphony. Ready? Set… Brew!

Key Takeaways

  • Tardif de Bourgogne hops bring a unique European aroma, perfect for ales and lagers.
  • Don’t worry if they’re unavailable; explore substitutes that match in flavor and aroma.
  • Mastering hop profiles is key to brewing beer that stands out in taste and character.

 

The Legendary Tardif de Bourgogne Hops

Hey, let’s chat about Tardif de Bourgogne hops. Your ticket to standout beers when the crowd is drowned in a sea of standard flavors. This humble little plant’s got some serious French flair.

Main Characteristics

  • Purpose: Aroma
  • Aromas: Floral, Tea, Herbal
  • Notes: Pine, Lavender, Fruity, Rose
  • Alpha-acids: 2.2% – 5.3% [bitterness added through boiling]
  • Beta-acids: 3.1% – 5.8% [bitterness added through maturation]
  • Cohumulone: around 20% of alpha-acids [bitterness profile: low = smooth, high = sharp]
  • Hops oil breakdown: 0.4 – 0.9 mL / 100g [responsible for flavors and aromas]
    • Myrcene: around 44% [resinous, citrus, fruity]
    • Humulene: around 13% [noble, woody, spicy]
    • Caryophyllene: around 5.7% [spicy, piney, herbal]
    • Farnesene: around 0.2% [fresh, green, floral]
Tardif de Bourgogne - graphic summary

These brewing values hint that Tardif de Bourgogne is not your typical bicep-flexing, high-alpha acid hop. You won’t be using it to punch bitter into your beer. Instead, it brings a delicate bouquet of aromatics to the table.

You can notice tea and herbal profile, followed by slightly fruity undertones. And by herbal you might sense lavender. We’re also talking hints of pine and… frankincense with a dash of rose petal romance. 

Now, imagine nurturing your next batch of beer with these aromatics. 

What you’ll get is grace, my friend, not a tongue thumping.

While some hops scream for attention, Tardif de Bourgogne whispers its qualities in a beer’s ear. It’s a perfect muse for those of you brewing the styles that prefer a subtle touch. Think classy lagers or sophisticated ales that don’t need to yell to be heard.

Remember, this hop is the late bloomer of the bunch. 

Rare, like a vinyl record in a world of streaming. It’s the cool breeze that cuts through a muggy day. Your brew deserves that fresh finish, and Tardif de Bourgogne is your horticultural high-five.

As for pairing, slide this hop into the mix for late boil or dry hopping escapades. It amps up the aroma without hijacking the palate. So, cheers to you raising the bar with a hop that once ruled lager beers…

…before Strisselspalt strutted into the spotlight.

Aromatic Affairs: Tardif de Bourgogne’s Aroma Profile

Tardif de Bourgogne hops are the late bloomers of the hop world, arriving fashionably late to the brewing party with their own unique flair. Let me tell you, your beer’s nose is in for a real treat with these aromatic acrobats.

  • Floral Notes: Imagine a bouquet of roses with a side of pine. It’s like walking through a flower shop with a Christmas tree under your arm.
  • Fruity Undertones: What’s that? A hint of fruitiness, you say? Right on. These hops sneak in a subtle nudge of berries without going over the top.
  • Herbal Rack Surprise: A dash of herbs, including tea and lavender. Just enough to be intriguing without setting your mouth on fire.

 

When you throw Tardif de Bourgogne into the mix, they’re like the mystery guest at your dinner party. They’ll meld into that brew with a graceful European finesse. Bringing an aroma profile that adds character without bulldozing over the other flavors.

Best for your softer beer styles.

Think Wheat, English Ale, maybe a laid-back Lager or a chill Pils. It’s like giving your beer a comfy aroma armchair to relax in. Trust me, your palate will thank you for the vacation from those heavy, cloying tastes it’s been hammered with.

And of course Bière de Garde. Pop them in late in the boil or go wild with some dry hopping action, and you’ll elevate your beer from flat to phat. Enjoy the subtle sophistication that Tardif de Bourgogne lays down.

It’s all about that aroma, baby!

The Alchemy of Brewing with Tardif de Bourgogne

Think of Tardif de Bourgogne as the jazz music of hops.

Subtle, complex, and a little old school, but hey, it’s about to make your beer sing.

Tardif de Bourgogne Brewing Values

Brewing Parameter

Value

Alpha Acids

2.2 – 5.5%

Beta Acids

3.1 – 5.8%

Total Oils

Low

Co-Humulone

Med-Low

 

Alright, here’s the scoop on your new best bud, Tardif de Bourgogne. These hops have got an alpha acid percentage that’s lounging on the low end. You won’t get a knock-out punch of bitterness here…

…but what you will get is a roundhouse kick of aroma.

With low total oils, Tardif de Bourgogne gives you a nuanced performance, rather than an in-your-face explosion. And for the cherry on top, the co-humulone levels are rather shy too, ensuring that bitterness doesn’t overstay its welcome.

Tardif de Bourgogne Beer Styles Companions

If Tardif de Bourgogne was a person, they’d be the one bringing the craft mustard to the BBQ. Distinctive without showing off. Let’s break it down for different beer styles:

  • Lagers: An old noble like Tardif is basically married to lagers. It’s like they took a vow of tasty loyalty. I bet you can brew a kick-ass Pilsner.
  • Wheat beers: Throws a subtle hint of spice into the bready, fruity mix without overshadowing the malty wheat goodness.
  • Bière de Garde: French hops so a French beer is a must. Especially, it’s a perfect hop to tone down and let the malt have its moment on the stage.

 

Mix Tardif with different beer styles and watch the palate party unfold.

Ain’t no monotony in this hop-monious symphony!

Balancing Hop Bitterness and Beer Flavor

Hey, fellow brew lover, let’s chat about how your next beer can sing a harmonious bitter-sweet symphony. It’s all about the balancing act between hop bitterness and the luscious flavors we crave in beer.

So, Tardif de Bourgogne, sounding more like a posh wine, is actually a hop variety rocking the art of subtle flavors. Picture this: You’re gently serenaded by top notes of floral, tea, herbs, and a whisper of pine with fruits.

This hop isn’t the loud guy at the concert.

It’s the smooth singer with old-school vibes.

When you’re brewing, think of Tardif de Bourgogne as your flavor maestro. It’s not a bittering bully, but rather a maestro that prefers the encore appearance during the dry hopping finale. It’s the perfect guest star for beers where you’re tired of the same old hoppy beat…

…and crave something with a French noble flair.

Let’s break this down:

  • Bittering: A bit like that bassist that doesn’t show off but holds the tune together.
  • Flavors: Imagine a subtle dance between fresh tea and a floral bouquet, giving your beer a unique twist.
Tardif de Bourgogne Beers

A great stage for our hop star? Belgian IPAs! They harmonize the boldness of an IPA with the elegance of Belgian brews. Your palate will thank you for not just throwing in the heavy riff of hops but instead letting each flavor have its solo.

Creating a sessionable beer that still packs a flavorful punch.

Ready to brew? Keep the balance, rock the flavors, and let your beer’s taste buds crowd surf in peace! Cheers to your next brew-session masterpiece, maestro! 🍻

The Artistry of Blending Hops in Beers

You know how a dash of seasoning brings life to a dish? That’s what hops do in the beer canvas. The Tardif de Bourgogne and Loral hops are like your beer’s secret sauce. Stitching personality with every sip you take.

Imagine hops are the paint to your liquid masterpiece.

Tardif, with its whispers of herbs, tea and rose petals, is an aroma hop best used when you’re nudging your brew away from the brink of boring. It’s like that eclectic friend who illuminates dull rooms with quirky stories.

Late boil additions or dry hopping with Tardif are ideal.

Its charms unfold in the heat like a perfumed love letter.

Then there’s Loral. A delightful medley where old-school meets the trendsetter. Floral and herbal, it bows to its noble European roots but brings a buzz with citrusy notes and a hint of earthiness. 

It’s the hop that’s got its feet in tradition but its head in the clouds of modernity.

How do you make these hops sing together? It’s simple:

Stage

Tardif de Bourgogne

Loral

Early Boil

Hold your horses!

A pinch for balance

Late Boil

Sprinkle for complexity

Optional encore

Dry Hopping

Now’s the time to shine

Whisper for finesse

 

A beer style that’ll thank you for using Tardif and Loral? Think of a sturdy, classic Belgian ale. Complex yet approachable, like an intriguing neighbor you want to befriend.

Blending hops is like a dance, where every step is an opportunity to express yourself. You take the lead. Will you make your next brew the talk of the town? Or will you play it safe? I say go on, give ’em a whirl! 

Hop Substitutes: Finding Alternatives to Tardif de Bourgogne

You’re on a quest for that singular French flair in your brew, but Tardif de Bourgogne hops are as elusive as a quiet day at a Parisian café. Fear not, my friend, for the hop substitution game is afoot! Let’s find you a hop that’ll make your beer…

…twirl its mustache with the same finesse.

First off, you’ve got the noble varieties. They’re like the aristocracy of hops, elegant and refined. Your recipe calls for the floral and slightly woodsy charm of Tardif de Bourgogne? Then your royal court of alternatives includes its noble cousins.

Characteristic

Tardif de Bourgogne

Noble Varieties Alternative

Flavor

Tea, Floral, Herbal

Subtle Spicy and Floral

Aroma

Frankincense, Pine

Mildly Herbal and Earthy

Alpha Acids

Low

Low

Best Used For

Aroma Additions

Aroma Additions

 

But what if you want to keep it casual and avoid the noble drama? Fuggle hops are your laid-back buddies here. They’re like that friend who’s content just to hang out and doesn’t need to be the center of attention.

They’ll give you that understated woody, earthy and minty touch without any fuss.

Remember the super noble hop? Me neither, because it’s more myth than reality! What you’re looking for are hops that share a similar vibe with Tardif de Bourgogne without stealing its thunder.

But don’t forget about those hops from the Alsace region, if you can get them. They’ll surely add a French kiss to your beverage. Alright, time for a brew that’s as close to a vacation in the French countryside as you’ll get…

…without a plane ticket. Santé!

Picture of Damian

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