Alpha Acid Too Low

[Reignman]

I used to buy Hallertauer hops here in Peterborough years ago in 5 lb. bricks. The AA% was usually around 8%. Didn't need much to make a batch of beer. Now, what is it? 2.8% now. What happened?

[Bodhi]

Could be just the difference crop to crop? But curious thought, if its German Pils that you are brewing and you use a Magnum or Perle as a bittering hop, does the AA% really make a difference for your late edition flavor hops?

[Reignman]

I never had to do a lot of late addition flavour hops. With an alpha of around 8%, most of the time a 60 min. addition was all that was needed. Not anymore it seems. I was looking at my older brew sessions around the early 90's to mid 2000's. The alpha % was definitely getting lower all the time.