The Pursuit of Hoppiness – Hop Profile Cheat Sheet
Quick question: when you think of beer, what is the first ingredient that comes to mind? Water, malt, yeast? While all important ingredients, there is one that always takes the spotlight: HOPS!
For many people, when they think hops, they think of dank, fragrant, bitter IPAs and associate hops with those flavours they either love or hate. However, hops are much more than that. From tropical fruity flavours, citrussy tang, or slight pine flavours, there is so much hops can offer to the beer’s palate. Hops are an essential part of every beer style, even those light and fresh pilsners or the increasingly popular sours all have some amount of hops in them.
Like a good wine or whiskey, take a few moments to stop and smell the hops. Really get your nose close to the liquid and don’t be shy about it! It is surprising how each style of hop has its own aroma and how each hop changes the flavour of a beer.
There is so much variety in the hop world, from European and American to Australia and New Zealand, and once you find your favourite hops, it will click into place like the grape preferences in wine.
Once you think of hops like grapes to a wine you can start to have a feel of how a certain beer is going to taste. Jot down the flavour profiles you tend to enjoy the most and make a note of what hops were used. Note which hops add bitterness or a slight piney flavour, or those that offer the citrus or tropical fruit flavours you enjoy. Be sure to pay attention to which hops you tend to like most, but also, be sure to experiment as you never know when you’ll find your next favourite beer!
We’ll skim over dry-hopping for now as this can make things a little more confusing and in some cases more affect the aroma than the flavour, which can complicate things a bit!
So, in this blog post, we’ll give you a quick rundown on ten great hops, their taste profile, and some mighty fine examples. There are countless other hop varieties out there well worth exploring, but for now, this primer should get you started!
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1. Citra
We’ll start with Citra as this is one of the most predominant hops found (alongside Cascade), that shot IPAs to craft beer stardom. Citra is an American developed hop and grown throughout the United States. It is very easy to come by and the heaviest planted hop in the US.
Citra hops are high in that bitterness most expect from IPAs, and as the name suggests, Citra hops impart a very intense citrus flavour. A hop you’re bound to find in IPAs, pale ales, or even Belgian-style ales.
Beers we recommend:
Outer Place Brewing Intergalactic IPA
2. Cascade
Up next, is another hop that’s synonymous with IPAs and responsible for their rise to fame. Cascade hops were first grown and developed in the Pacific Northwest region. In terms of flavour, Cascade isn’t terribly bitter but has intense floral and fruity notes that make it a favourite for brewers to use either in the whirlpool stage or as a dry hop addition.
Surprisingly, this hop variety makes the occasional appearance in porters but is most commonly found in pale ales and IPAs.
Beers we recommend:
Whiplash Embrace The Daylight Black IPA
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3. Mosaic
The Mosaic hop is a relatively new hop variety, only really becoming noticed in 2012. It gets its name from both the different fruit, floral, and pine notes that it gives to beer and the number of hop varieties used to develop it.
On the palate, this one has strong notes of blueberry, passion fruit, and other tropical fruits. Look for this hop in your favourite American Pale Ales, Stouts, or Double IPAs as they’re bound to be a treat!
Beers we recommend:
4. Amarillo
Another incredibly popular yet relatively new hop variety you’re bound to find is Amarillo. This hop variety has quickly become a staple in the brewing market and one you’re bound to easily find. For brewers, this hop is quite versatile, finding its place in various beer styles such as wheat beers, porters, and amber ales.
This tasty little hop is great for its notes of citrus fruits and stone fruits like peach and apricot, giving the beer a real summery feel overall.
Beers we recommend:
Lough Gill Shaka East Coast Pale Ale
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5. Centennial
A hop that has almost become synonymous with West Coast IPAs! If you’re looking for a piney, slightly bitter flavour, then this is the hop to look for. Definitely a strong pine flavour in most beers with Centennial, but they can also show notes of a softer side of citrus fruits (usually grapefruit) or even some surprisingly delicate floral notes. A popular hop, and for good reason!
Beers we recommend:
Post Card Brewing Ha'penny Bridge Pale Ale
Crafty Bear Shape Change Session IPA
6. Simcoe
Another hop variety that is known for its intense flavour profile and the bitterness it can add to a brew. Thanks to its great and somewhat complex flavour profile, you can find single hop IPAs out there to really hone in on all the goodness Simcoe hops can offer! For those curious about the flavours, we can expect to find stone fruit, pine, and some zingy citrus zest to spice things up a bit.
You can sometimes find this one in lighter beer styles, but most commonly in pale ales, wild ales, sours, and sometimes lagers.
Beers we recommend:
Third Barrel Day Drinking 2023 Session IPA
Dead Centre Marooned Oatmeal IPA
Whiplash Body Riddle American Pale Ale
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7. El Dorado
A fairly new hop style that only became noticed around 2010. This hop is an excellent dual-purpose hop perfect for bittering and aroma. El Dorado could be called the champion among the hazy IPA movement for how it has shot that style skyward to fame.
On the palate, El Dorado adds flavours of tropical fruits, passion fruit, watermelon, and pear. Look for this hop in your next juicy IPA or New England style IPA!
Beers we recommend:
Wide Street Sound By Design Pale Ale
Lough Gill Cutback Hazy Session IPA
8. Saaz
And now, we turn our attention towards an older, but no less noticeable hop! Saaz is another member of German Noble hops. This hop variety originated in what is now the Czech Republic. Traditionally, Saaz would be found in Czech pilsners due to its smoothness, and easy-to-drink flavour profile. A subtle hop addition you’re bound to find in pilsners, lagers, and Belgian-style beer.
On the palate, it is a very mild hop, sometimes tucked into the background with low bitterness and an earthy yet spicy flavour.
Beers we recommend:
Western Herd Loop Head Pilsner
9. Ekuanot
If you like strong, hoppy brews, then this hop is one to look out for. IPAs, sours, wheat beers, or other beer styles looking for a hoppy kick are bound to have this hop in it!
Intense and unique fruity with citrus notes including melon, berry, citrus, lime, apple, and papaya. A brew with this hop is almost bound to be quaffable with a pleasant fruity kick!
Beers we recommend:
Whiplash Body Riddle American Pale Ale
10. Idaho 7
A ripe and zesty hop variety that can sometimes remind you of flavours of marmalade or Earl Grey tear! This rather unique hop is usually found amongst a blend of other hops in some of your favourite brews.
This one has quite the flavour list so bear with us as we run through the list! It’s pleasantly herbal (that Earl Grey tea note) but can also add flavours and aromas of tropical fruit, orange, apricot, black tea, pine, and herbs. Always a pleasant delight to see!
Beers we recommend:
Wicklow Wolf Another Brique In The Wall Double IPA
And that’s the end of our list! We hope you enjoyed reading all about some of our favourite hops and that is has inspired you to appreciate what hops can bring to a beer, and experiment more with the hop varieties out there!
We’re always on hand to help you find that perfect beer, so be sure to browse our range of ales, stouts, New In’s, and between here on Craft Beers Delivered! Lastly, make sure to follow us on our Instagram, Facebook & Twitter to see what we’re getting up to such as our new in, sales, recommended brews, and competitions!
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