Hops: Cascade

The hop that launched a thousand craft breweries.

Cascade was and still is one of the most popular new world hops. Cascade was developed in the 60’s and 70’s by Oregon State Uni as part of the sponsored USDA hop breeding program. As such, access to and the ability to grow this hop is less restrictive than most of the commercially bred hop varieties.

And it’s genetics come from one of my favourite varieties - Fuggle.

In 1980 Sierra Nevada used a LOT of it in their Pale Ale, a flagship American Ale that sets the standard against which I judge even my own Pale Ale’s. I’d argue that this beer was a stepping stone to what is now the very hop-forward American styles of today - the big juicy IPA’s, XPA’s and Pale Ale’s that accentuate and push what can be done with modern hops.

I love this hop, and in the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale I get hits of marmalade on the Pallete along with light resinous piney notes. On the nose you can get a hint of spice along with the Citrus peel and light floral scents.

If you want to experiement with this hop, then start will a 5 gallon (20L) batch of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and go from there.

The Sierra Nevada Pale Ale recipe

My Brewfather 45L batch recipe

The Stats

Type: American New World

Acids: AA 4.5-7%; BA 4.8-7%; Cohumulone: 33-40%

Oil (mL/100g): 0.7-1.4

Stage: Primarily aroma and flavour, but can be used for bittering (e.g. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale).

Aroma/Palette: Grapefruit; Citrus; Floral.