ALL GRAIN BEER

Simcoe has become wildly popular with craft brewers because of its top heavy characteristics in so many aspects. It has shown up to 14% alpha acids, but with cohumulone bottomed out at 12% which makes it the very lowest in cohumulone. In this manner it makes a very nice foundational bittering hop, but it is also noted for its aroma qualities. An extremely high myrcene content of up to 65% while the other oils are very low, leaves it a pleasant fruity, yet earthy, herbal and piney aroma. It has a moderate to high vigor and yield. Flying Fish used it to create its 10 year anniversary Barley Wine – 5 additions of it along with Magnum, and Sierra Nevada uses it in one of its High Altitude bold beers called Hoptimum®.

Nugget’s super alpha acid content, low beta and low cohumulone percentages give it an excellent bittering kick popular in IPAs, Imperials, and other super hoppy brews. Daughter of Brewer’s Gold and mother of Millennium, Nugget’s popularity grew quickly. From release in 1982, by 1987 it was producing 14% of the Northwest’s hops. It’s high myrcene content plus the high alpha content results in a green, herbal aroma. Nugget is a preferred choice of hop-loving brewers all across the U.S. and has gained popularity in Europe.

Horizon is a hop with some star qualities. A dual-use hop, it has high alpha acids, but low cohumulone, an attribute much appreciated by many breweries. Its alpha acids are variable, between 10 and 17%, making it very versatile. Its high myrcene and high farnesene content give it some great aroma and flavor notes, both floral and citrusy. It has been picked up by several craft brewers, and is a star at North by Northwest brewery in Austin, Texas where it is used in its top three classic brews, as well as in their specialty beers from time to time.