Missed that one first time round, I have also started using a touch of Northern Brewer as a 'backstop' in Pilseners, particularly German Pils to give a bit of lingering bitterness. Especially when the hops are a bit old as yours were. The only bopils I've made used some 2006 Saaz plugs and the hops definitely didn't shine, will only go new season from now on.
I love lagers but it's a bit like raising kids, takes sooo long then they leave you and won't even visit you in the home :blink:
Gotta get a bigger lagering fridge, hey :icon_drunk: