Best hops for a West Coast IPA

Data sheet

The hops that define a West Coast IPA, the numbers behind them, and the strain that completes the recipe.

Use Simcoe, Centennial and Columbus (CTZ). For a West Coast IPA these are the strongest match on aroma and bitterness.

Why these hops

Style	a West Coast IPA
Recommended hops	Simcoe, Centennial and Columbus (CTZ)
Simcoe alpha / myrcene	11 to 15 % alpha, 40 to 65 % myrcene
Centennial alpha / myrcene	7.8 to 11.5 % alpha, 30.7 to 65.7 % myrcene
Columbus (CTZ) alpha / myrcene	13.9 to 17.5 % alpha, 8.8 to 57.7 % myrcene

A West Coast IPA wants resinous pine and grapefruit bitterness: Simcoe and Centennial for aroma over a clean Columbus or Magnum bittering charge.

Do not dry hop a West Coast IPA as heavily as a hazy; the style is about crisp bitterness and defined hop flavour, not a soft juice bomb.