Northern Brewer hops are a mounting variety utilized in craft beer brewing due to their intense flavor and aroma. A wide range of craft beers feature Northern Brewers, ranging from mild pilsner lagers to hop-forward IPA’s.
Popular examples of beers that use Northern Brewer hops include Founders Porter, Bell’s Two Hearted Ale, Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale, and Stone IPA. Founders Porter is a robust and well balanced porter that features notes of chocolate and coffee, along with a bit of fruity sweetness provided by the Northern Brewer hops.
Bell’s Two Hearted Ale is an award winning IPA featuring abundant hop aroma and flavor but balanced with a hefty malt presence. Two Hearted also includes Michigan grown Northern Brewer hops as part of a unique blend.
Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale is a bright wheat beer that incorporates Northern Brewer hops to add aroma and flavor to the light malt body. Finally, Stone IPA is another hop-forward ale that is moderately bitter with a huge hop bite that is provided by the use of Northern Brewer hops.
In conclusion, Northern Brewer hops are a popular hop variety in craft beer brewing, offering intense aroma and flavor that is suitable for a variety of different beer styles. They can be found in many popular craft beers such as Founders Porter, Bell’s Two Hearted Ale, Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale, and Stone IPA.
Which hops are the most bitter?
The level of bitterness in hops is measured through the alpha acid content, which is expressed as a percentage. The higher the alpha acid content, the more bitter the hop. Popular bittering hops include Warrior, Chinook, Simcoe, Columbus and Centennial.
Warrior is the most bitter of these varieties, with approximately 16-20% alpha acid content. It is often used as a bittering hop in a variety of beer styles, including IPAs and pale ales. Chinook hops have a slightly lower alpha acid content, around 12-14%, and have a resiny flavor.
Simcoe hops, with an alpha acid content of approximately 13-16%, tend to have prominent pine and citrus notes. Columbus hops have an alpha acid content of 14-16%, and impart a hearty bitter character and herbal aroma.
Lastly, Centennial hops have an alpha acid content of 9-11%, and have floral, citrus and herbal notes. All of these bitter hops can be used to construct a flavorful beer, with each imparting a unique flavor and bitterness.
What does Gr mean for beer?
‘Gr’ is a common abbreviation for ‘Gravity’, which is a measurement of the sugar content and density of a beer. Gravity is measured as specific gravity (or SG for short), which is a ratio relative to water of the density of the beer.
For example, a SG of 1.050 would indicate the beer is 1.050 times more dense than water. The higher the gravity, the more sugar is present in the beer and the more alcohol potential there is. Gravities between 1.030 and 1.
060 are considered “normal” gravities for beer, with higher gravities increasing the potential for higher alcohol content, and lower gravities making for lighter, lower alcohol beer.
How long does beer last in a keg?
The shelf life of beer in a keg depends on a variety of factors, such as storage conditions, type of beer, and packing method. Generally speaking, beer stored in a keg and refrigerated can be expected to last for at least 6 weeks, although some beers may last even longer.
If a keg of beer is stored at room temperature, the shelf life will be significantly reduced; as warm temperatures can lead to flavor degradation and accelerated spoilage. Additionally, some beers, such as certain imperial stouts, are specifically designed to age and improve with proper cellaring, and can last for 6 months or longer in a keg.
Therefore, when trying to determine how long a certain beer will last in a keg, the specific beer and storage conditions should be taken into consideration.
What is a good specific gravity for beer?
A good specific gravity for beer depending on the style of beer that you are brewing. Generally, the specific gravity of beer will range from 1.030-1.125, although certain styles such as lagers and light beers may have a specific gravity lower than 1.
030, while strong ales, barley wines, and imperial stouts have a specific gravity higher than 1.125.
The most important thing to consider when looking for a good specific gravity for beer is the flavor and aroma of your beer. The specific gravity should give you an idea of the alcohol content and body of your beer, as well as its sweetness and bitterness.
Therefore, you should always tailor your specific gravity to the beer style that you are brewing.
What does Cascade hops taste like?
Cascade hops provide a slightly floral and spicy aroma and taste to beer, with citrus characteristics like grapefruit and orange. They also bring a sharper bitterness which, combined with the citrus taste, can make beer with this hop variety refreshing.
While Cascade is usually thought of as an aromatic hop, it also has a moderate cohumulone content which makes it a decent bittering hop as well. Depending on the brewing and other ingredients, the citrus taste profile of Cascade hops can range from subtle and nuanced to bold and powerful, so it’s great for a range of different beer styles.
What type of hop is Cascade?
Cascade is a variety of hops that is used worldwide in the brewing industry, originating from the United States. It is an aroma hop with a medium to high alpha acid content of 4.5–7%, meaning it is a great choice for bittering.
Its distinct hop aroma is defined by its unique citrus and floral notes, alongside its spicy and slightly earthy character. The popular hop has been used in a variety of styles, including pale ales, IPAs, lagers and plenty more.
Cascade is a popular hop variety, often found in homebrew shops, craft breweries, and large-scale commercial beer production.
What beers use Cascade hops?
Many craft beers use Cascade hops due to their pleasant aroma and flavor. Examples of these craft beers include Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale, Founders All Day IPA, Bear Republic’s Racer 5 IPA, New Belgium’s Fat Tire Amber Ale, Stone IPA, and most IPAs from Deschutes, Firestone Walker, Ballast Point, and Lagunitas.
Cascade hops are often used as either a bittering hops, but are more frequently used as an aromatic hop listing to fruity and citrusy flavors including grapefruit, orange, and pine. It produces an attractive, light gold to orange color to the beer, and can contribute to both hoppy and floral aromas.
Cascade hops are also used prominently in many American wheat beers, lambics, and fruit- beers.
What is a good substitute for Horizon hops?
Horizon hops are known for their earthy, herbal and spicy notes as well as their subdued-to-moderate bitterness, making them an ideal hop for an English-style ale. As such, there are several other hops that could provide a similar flavor profile to replace Horizon hops in a recipe.
One of the most popular substitutes is East Kent Golding, which is known for its earthy and spicy flavors. Other possible substitutions for Horizon hops include Czech Saaz, Liberty, Northern Brewer, Fuggle and Willamette.
Each of these hops has its own characteristics and aroma, but all are known for their herbal and spicy characteristics. The most important thing to remember when substituting hops is that the final product will likely be slightly different; some experimentation may be necessary to achieve the desired flavor profile.
What are Cluster hops?
Cluster hops are a type of traditional hop variety that have been used in brewing for many centuries. They are identified as having an intense aroma and flavor with high levels of alpha acids, making them a popular choice for bittering as well as dual-use and aroma/flavor applications.
Due to their intense bitterness, Cluster hops are often used as the primary hop in many ales, stouts, and pale ales. Cluster hops are also known for imparting a unique herbal, spicy, and slightly onion-like flavor.
They were a popular hop variety during the early days of American craft brewing and were one of the first hops used in the ubiquitous India pale ale style. These days, Cluster hops remain popular among craft brewers due to their intense bitterness and complex flavor, making them a great choice for numerous styles of beer.
How can you tell the difference between hops?
You can tell the difference between hops in terms of their aromas, flavors, and bitterness levels. Hops vary considerably in terms of their characteristics, so you need to pay attention to the specific aromas and flavors that are imparted to the beer.
Some hops produce fruity notes, while others might be earthy. Hops also contribute bitterness to beer, which can range from light to intense depending on the variety used. Additionally, the strength of hop character can also differ depending on how much is used in each brew.
When exploring different hops, it is important to take note of these factors in order to truly distinguish between them.
What can I use instead of Citra hops?
If you’re looking for a substitution for Citra hops in your brew, some good alternatives are Simcoe hops, Centennial hops, Amarillo hops, Mosaic hops, and Cascade hops. Simcoe hops offer a similar citrusy and fruity aroma, while Centennial hops provide an earthy and floral flavor.
Amarillo hops deliver a unique orange and grapefruit citrusy flavor that pairs nicely with many beer styles. Mosaic hops also produce an intense level of tropical fruit, citrus, and evergreen hop flavors.
Finally, Cascade hops also bring a citrusy and floral character to the beer, along with hints of grapefruit, apricot, and spices.
Can I brew without hops?
Yes, it is possible to brew beer without hops. There are a variety of other ingredients that can be used to add flavor and aroma to a beer, from honey and spices to fruits and herbs. While hops are widely used to provide bitterness, aroma and flavor in many beer styles, they are not essential for the brewing process.
Non-hopped beers can be produced using a variety of other ingredients that provide flavor and aroma, resulting in a beer that can be just as flavorful and complex as a beer made with hops. Additionally, as hops do contribute bitterness and flavor, beers without hops will generally have a more mellow profile, allowing the other ingredients to shine through more.
If you’re looking to make a beer without hops, you’ll have a lot of flexibility in what you can use. A variety of herbs and spices, such as coriander or ginger, as well as fruits, such as oranges and cherries can be used to add flavor and aroma.
However, you will need to be aware that these ingredients can often contribute significantly more flavor than hops and can easily overpower other ingredients, so be sure to adjust the recipe accordingly.
Additionally, you will need to determine if the ingredients you are using will affect the fermentation process, as some ingredients can increase fermentation time or have a negative effect on the yeast.
All in all, while hops are widely used in brewing beer, they are not essential and there are plenty of ingredients that you can use to create a tasty and flavorful beer without them.
What hops are similar to Simcoe?
Simcoe hops are unique due to their intense aroma and flavor, which can range from piney and citrus fruit to passion fruit and berry-like notes. Some varieties that are similar in aroma and flavor to Simcoe include Centennial, Amarillo, Cascade, Motueka, and Citra.
Centennial hops are a versatile variety that are strong, citrusy, and flowery like Simcoe. Amarillo has a similar citrus and floral profile, with a hint of apricot and peach. Cascade hops are classic and widely used in the craft brewing industry, with a citrusy and slightly spicy character.
Motueka hops, from New Zealand, have a citrusy, lime and tropical fruit profile. Lastly, Citra hops are well known for their intense aromas and flavors of tropical and citrus fruit. All these varieties are excellent hops that are similar to Simcoe.
Is Cascade a good bittering hop?
Yes, Cascade is a good bittering hop. It has a moderate alpha acid content of 5 to 10 percent, which makes it a great option for adding bitterness to your brew without overpowering the other flavors.
Cascade has a flowery, citrusy aroma, which can be used to add complexity to the flavor profile when used in combination with other ingredients. It’s a popular choice among many craft brewers, due to its versatility and flavor profile.
It’s also an excellent hop for dry hopping, and will impart beautiful floral, citrusy aromas. All in all, Cascade is an ideal hop for both its bitterness and aroma, giving your brew character and complexity.