Hopping Around the World

In the world of craft beer, hops are the soul-stirring storytellers of taste, terroir, and tradition. They are a cornerstone of craft beer, contributing bitterness, aroma, and flavor. New-age craft beers often showcase a variety of hop types, each bringing unique characteristics.  This blog is my humble attempt to showcase some of the finest hop varieties from around the globe, highlighting their unique characteristics and how they contribute to the overall taste of a beer. Whether you're a seasoned beer connoisseur or just starting your journey, I hope this exploration will inspire you to seek out new and exciting brews.

As a seasoned traveler and craft beer lover, I’ve had the privilege of sampling brews crafted with the most exceptional hops across the globe. This curated collection is a personal journey through the most extraordinary hop varieties I've encountered across continents, breweries, and craft beer havens. From the misty hop fields of New Zealand to the rolling landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, each entry is a snapshot of brewing artistry and agricultural mastery. Along with the hops, I have called out some of the favorite brewers and beers that showcase these hops, based on my tasting experiences from my travels.

Disclaimer: The world of hops is vast and ever-evolving. What you'll find here are but whispers of its immensity - my personal favorites that have captivated my palate and imagination during years of global exploration. These selections represent a mere glimpse into the rich tapestry of hop cultivation and craft brewing.

1. Citra Hops

This is the unquestionable ruler of all hazy hops. Citra is akin to adding butter and salt to a meal — most of the time, it simply enhances the flavor, and cooks would prefer you not to know how much they use. It appears in an amusingly high number of hazy beers available, but there's a good reason for that. Citra transforms into amazing dank, tropical fruit scents, accompanied by enough bitterness to provide hazy IPAs with the necessary bite to be enjoyable without becoming excessively sweet.  Brew to Sample: To Øl's "Dangerously Close to Stupid", a double IPA that elevates the tropical and citrusy punch of Citra hops to new heights.

2. Mosaic

Mosaic is rich and robust, largely due to a significant amount of myrcene, a terpene that contributes to the earthy, almost diesel-like characteristic linked with strong cannabis. This strain is a hybrid of Simcoe and Nugget, featuring prominent notes of blackcurrant and blueberry. Additionally, the varietal is visually stunning up close — well-structured and neatly arranged. They are popular in New England IPAs and hazy IPAs for their juicy and aromatic qualities. Brew to Sample: Northern Monk (UK) uses Mosaic in their Trilogy series and Omnipollo (Sweden) incorporates Mosaic in several of their hop-forward beers

3. Galaxy

Perhaps the most well-known Australian hop, it carries hints of overripe guava — to the extent that some single-hop Galaxy IPAs can taste like decaying fruit. Occasionally reminiscent of blue cheese, its funkiness can either draw people in or push them away intensely. Ultimately, it shines brightest when blended with other hop varieties.  Brew to Sample: Cloudwater Brew Co. (UK) uses Galaxy in many of their IPAs

4. Simcoe

Simcoe offers rich scents of peaches, dried Turkish apricots, pine, and orange peel. Its pine qualities are excellent for adding bitterness. As such, it forms the foundation for the West Coast classic, Pliny the Elder, while also being adaptable in various hazyThey are often used in American IPAs to create a bold and resinous beer with a citrusy finish.

5. Amarillo

Amarillo contains a higher concentration of myrcene terpenes than Mosaic, resulting in a weed-like pungency that exhibits bitter, almost floral notes reminiscent of orange peels. This hop is usually employed for its aroma in late-boil or dry-hopping processes. Frequently likened to Cascade (known for imparting grapefruit flavors in Sierra Nevada Pale Ale), Amarillo showcases its citrus attributes boldly, and similar to Idaho 7, it performs optimally when combined with other hops.

6. Chinook

Bred by the USDA hop breeding program and released in 1985, Chinook was initially used for bittering, as they pack a high amount of alpha acids. However, as preferences for more hop-forward styles began to grow, brewers realized this classic “C-hop” imparts desirable citrus, pine, and spice characteristics, leading to its heavier use later in the brewing process. The variety grows best in the Yakima Valley, Washington but not in Oregon, due to downy mildew problems. Chinook is widely used in American pale ales and India pale ales, where they can show clean bitterness and aromatics of pine needles and grapefruit. Chin Music IPA from Mikeller(DK) is a good brew to sample this hop.

7. Riwaka

Riwaka, a hop variety that descends from Saaz, is often regarded as a classic Kiwi hop, bringing a delightful blend of citrus and sweetness, complemented by subtle herbal noble-like notes to the beer. Although it is mainly recognized for its aromatic qualities, Riwaka's moderate alpha acid levels also make it suitable for a range of beer styles.

8. Nelson Sauvin

Hailing from New Zealand, is commonly compared to Sauvignon Blanc for its heavy notes of white grapes, gooseberries, and fresh-cut grass. It’s an assertive hop, for sure, making it one to use with care — a little goes a long way.. Nelson Sauvin is often used in IPAs and Pale Ales to add a distinctive and complex flavor. Brew to Sample: Garage Beer Co(Spain)'s Soup Nelson IPA is a great ale for checking out this flavor of hops.

9. Idaho 7

Idaho 7 offers vibrant notes of tangerine and marmalade. It's a hidden gem for brewers: as one homebrewer shared with me, "if your beer seems a bit off, just add some Idaho 7, and it will sort everything out." When combined with other hops, it can soften their intensity, yet in smaller amounts, it can complement their flavors beautifully.

10. Strata

Characterized by author Nick Carr as the “new favorite among craft brewers,” Strata presents subtle diesel hints that transition into a blend of tropical flavors. It resembles a Hawaiian fruit basket, offering fruit notes unique to the Polynesian islands and Southeast Asia. Strata is undoubtedly the newcomer in the scene: Its patent is still in progress, and it only became available on the market in 2016 following several successful test cultivations.

Arpus Brewing(Latvia) is notorious for experimenting with blending multiple hops including Strata and Idaho.

11. Azacca

Previously called ADHA-483, Azacca® was named after the Haitian god of agriculture. It is big in Alpha Acids (14-16%) and has a bright and refreshing aroma with juicy mango, tropical fruits, and citrus. Azacca® is a dual-purpose hop that produces sensational single-hopped beers. It made quite a splash when first released to the market back in 2013. Big-name craft breweries — most notably, Founders Brewing — took notice of the new hop, increasing the variety's popularity further by releasing brews showcasing Azacca’s big citrus and tropical fruit aromas. Pohjala Brewery(Estonia) celebrates these hops a lot in the Baltic region

12. El Dorado

El Dorado hops are a popular hop variety known for their intense tropical fruit aromas and flavors, often described as pineapple, mango, and stone fruit, making them a great choice for juicy IPAs and pale ales. El Dorado was created at CLS Farms in the Moxee Valley, Washington. Most sources say it was developed in 2008, and released in 2010. The Something Hoppy IPA by Behemoth Brewing(NZ) is a great representative of this flavor of hops

13. Cascade

Cascade hops are a quintessential American hop with a floral, spicy, and citrus quality, and a strong grapefruit character. They are often used as an aroma hop, but can also be used for bittering. Cascade hops are used in many American Pale Ales and West Coast IPAs, but can also be used in other beer styles such as American Porter, Blonde Ale, Amber Ale, American Hefeweizen, American Barley Wine, and Red Ale.

14. Saaz

Saaz hops are a classic aroma hop with a distinctive herbal, floral, and earthy aroma. They are known for their soft bitterness and are a staple in many popular beer styles, including Bohemian Pilsners, Stella Artois, and Lagers. Here are some examples of beers that use Saaz hops

As I wrap up this flavorful journey through the world of hops, I’m reminded of how these tiny green cones hold the power to transform water, malt, and yeast into something truly extraordinary. Each hop variety tells a story of its origin, the brewers who harness its potential, and the drinkers who savor its essence. While my list highlights personal favorites, the world of hops is as boundless as the adventures that craft beer inspires. So, raise a glass, embrace the diversity of flavors, and let every sip take you on a journey of discovery. Here’s to the endless joy of hopping around the globe—cheers!

[Image Credits: VinePair]