What are Cascade Hops?
Cascade hops are a type of aroma hop that is native to the Northwest United States. Known for its citrus, grapefruit and floral flavors, Cascade hops have become one of the most popular varieties in our country.
Written by CraftJack | Updated | 2 min read
The main difference between cascade and some other types of brewing ingredients is how they are used - while many beers may need just a single variety of hop or two (or maybe three), beer recipes often call for up to six different kinds.
Origin & History
Cascade hops were originally developed by Professor Elmer Swenson at Oregon State University and released commercially in 1972. They have become one of the most popular varieties grown worldwide because they add great flavor while also exhibiting very good resistance to disease, pests, and harsh weather conditions.
The reason that cascade has overtaken other types is due largely to its citrusy aroma which is prized among many brewers. It's no wonder then that this variety lends itself well not only beer styles like pale ale or brown ale but also those such as an India Pale Ale (IPA).
Aroma
The citrusy aroma is prized among many brewers.
Styles Made With Cascade
Cascade hops are among the most popular varieties in our country and can be used to brew a variety of different beer styles. A lot of IPAs, for example, use this type as it imparts a great citrusy flavor that pairs well with the bitter hops found in those types of brews.
- Pale Ales
- West Coast IPAs
Commercial Examples
| ABV | Beer | Brewery |
|---|---|---|
| 0% |
IPA |
Hairless Dog Brewing Company |
| 0.5% |
Wayfarer |
Atmos Brewing Company |
| 4.5% |
Traditional Lager |
DG Yuengling and Son |
| 4.8% |
Gneiss Weiss |
Gneiss Brewing Company |
| 6.1% |
King Friday |
Untold Brewing |
| 6.2% |
Outermost |
Hog Island Beer Company |
| 6.3% |
Backcheck IPA |
Smuttynose Brewing Company |
| 6.5% |
Zephyr |
Rising Tide Brewing Company |
| 6.5% |
Insane Mane |
White Lion Brewing Company |
| 6.7% |
Geosynchronous |
Gneiss Brewing Company |
| 6.8% |
War Castle |
Redemption Rock Brewing Company |
| 7.5% |
Racer 5 IPA |
Bear Republic Brewing Company |
| 8% |
Demo Tape West Coast Style DDH Double IPA |
Exhibit A Brewing Company |
| 8% |
Epiphany |
Foundation Brewing Company |
| 8% |
V |
Greater Good Imperial Brewing Company |
| 8% |
Things We Dont Say |
Wandering Soul Beer Company |
| 8.7% |
Hopzilla |
Lawsons Finest Liquids |
| 9% |
25th Anniversary Ale |
Brewery Ommegang |
| 9.2% |
Double Thunder Funk |
Bent Water Brewing Company |
Substitute Hops
- Chinook
- Centennial
- Columbus
FAQs
Should you grow cascade hops?
Cascade hops are native to the Northwest region of America and as such, can only be grown in this area. Fresh versions of this type are not available for purchase outside of the Pac-Northwest region. Check the local homebrewing store nearby to see what your options are. Otherwise, dried versions will do just fine in your recipe.