ALL GRAIN BEER

Centennial Hops is at times referred to as a Super Cascade, but it doesn’t have the as much of the citrusy characteristics of the Cascades. Centennial is a much celebrated hop in its versatility. With its depth of bitterness along with a forward aroma, the two balance each other out beautifully. With its alpha acid content of 9.5-11.5%, it is well suited to Pale Ales and IPAs. Floral in both flavor and aroma, these notes are prevalent in the beers into which they are brewed. Centennial has had its ups and downs in the industry, and is now experiencing a return to popularity.

Ubiquitous Amarillo hops are used in several commercial beers, but most notably, Green Flash Brew’s Hop Head Red IPA where Amarillo is one of three hops in the boil, but then also used exclusively in great abundance to dry hop the brew. Amarillo’s ultra-high myrcene content creates a delicious orange citrus flavor. It is also highly acidic, making it perfect for ESB’s and Pale Ales. A varietal of Virgil Gamache Farms, Inc., Amarillo was discovered to be a mutation from another variety. Amarillo is also featured singularly in Three Floyds Brewing Company’s Gumballhead wheat beer where it is employed alongside American Red Wheat.

Yakima Valley bred Ahtanum is sweet and peppery with a piney-citrus aspect. Warmly aromatic and moderately bittering, Ahtanum is a hop of distinction. It is often likened to Cascade, although it makes more sense to say that Cascade is a good substitute. Ahtanum is less bitter, its alpha acids are lower, and its grapefruit essence is much more pronounced than Cascade’s. It really is more akin to Willamette, with Willamette’s note being more lemon than grapefruit. Ahtanum’s distinct citrus character has led to it being used as the singular hop in Dogfish Head’s Blood Orange Heffeweisen and Stone Brewing’s Pale Ale.