Centennial
A citrus-forward American hop, sometimes called a super Cascade, with more punch and a floral edge.
About Centennial
Centennial was released in 1990 and is often described as a super Cascade for its similar but more intense citrus and floral character and its higher alpha acid.
It is a mainstay of American pale ales and IPAs, both as a clean bittering hop and for its bright aroma. Bell's Two Hearted Ale, hopped entirely with Centennial, is a classic showcase.
Aroma and flavour
Intense citrus, especially lemon and grapefruit, with a floral character; cleaner and more intense than Cascade.
By the numbers, Centennial typically carries 8 to 11.5% alpha acid, which drives its bitterness, and 1.5 to 2.5 total oil, which drives its aroma. It is generally treated as a dual-purpose 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
Centennial works throughout the boil, from a clean bittering charge to late and dry-hop additions for aroma. Its higher alpha makes it more efficient to bitter with than Cascade.
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 Centennial is unavailable, Cascade 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.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Alpha acid | 8 to 11.5% |
| Beta acid | 3.5 to 5.5% |
| Total oil | 1.5 to 2.5 |
| Typical use | Dual-purpose |
| Origin | United States, released 1990 |
Typical published figures; harvest and batch vary.
Match this hop to a yeast
Open the YeastMatch selectorPair a hop with the right yeast, or find a substitute.Find Centennial hops on eBayaffiliateRelated
Sources: BarthHaas hop varieties ยท Hopslist variety data