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Cascade

The hop that defined American craft beer, giving bright grapefruit and floral citrus aroma.

About Cascade

Cascade was released by the United States Department of Agriculture breeding programme in 1972 and became the hop that defined the American craft beer flavour. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, brewed with Cascade, made its grapefruit character famous.

It remains one of the most widely grown American aroma hops. Its moderate alpha makes it usable for bittering, but its real value is the bold citrus and floral aroma it gives in late and dry-hop additions.

Aroma and flavour

Bright grapefruit and citrus with floral and light spicy notes, the signature aroma of the first wave of American craft beer.

By the numbers, Cascade typically carries 4.5 to 7% alpha acid, which drives its bitterness, and 0.8 to 1.5 total oil, which drives its aroma. It is generally treated as a dual-purpose (aroma-leaning) hop. Published figures are typical values; the real alpha and oil of any given lot vary with the harvest, so a hop bill is usually adjusted to the actual numbers on the package.

Using it in the brewery

Cascade is used mainly for late-boil, whirlpool and dry-hop additions where its grapefruit aroma shines, though it can bitter a pale ale too. It is often used generously, as its character is pleasant even at high rates.

Like all hops, it is best bought as vacuum-packed pellets and kept cold and sealed, since oxygen and warmth degrade the alpha acids and drive off the aroma oils over time. Buy close to when you will brew, and store any opened packets cold and airtight.

Substitutes

If Cascade is unavailable, Centennial makes the closest substitute, sharing a similar aroma family and a comparable alpha and oil profile. A substitute is a close match rather than an identical clone, so expect it to shift the character a little.

Related

Sources: BarthHaas hop varieties · Hopslist variety data