Simcoe Hops
Lately, it’s all about collecting data on the new hops. Shortage or no shortage, here’s another variety that was worth the half hour I took to research it. Let’s learn about Simcoe Hops, AKA Cascade on steroids*.
Origin: America (Pacific Northwest) - It was released by the Yakima Chief Ranches in the year 2000.
Aroma: Not that I know what a passionfruit smells like, but apparently Simcoe hops have a passionfruit aroma and flavor. Some sources claimed their aroma is fruity reminiscent of apricots while others stated they have a pronounced pine or woodsy aroma. Seems like there is a complexity here. Maybe the aroma swings from fruity to piney from year to year or maybe where the hops are added to the boil changes the aroma.
Alpha Acid: 12-14%
Typical Usage: Because of the high alpha acid, Simcoe works well for bittering. It can be used as an aroma hop too.
Beer Styles: IPA, Double IPA, American-style ale.
*They are mentioned in Canseco’s new book.
on April 10th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
I didn’t realize Simcoes and Cascades were related, but I made a wickedly good Tripel-esque beer with them. I’m a big fan! I used 4 oz in semi-continuous hopping towards the last ~45 minutes of the boil, and it turned out less fruity and more herbal. Nonetheless, if I ever grow hops, those will be among the first planted.
on April 11th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Not sure if they are technically related to Cascade hops…I tried looking for sources of what Simcoe is a hybrid of, but I could not find any.
From my research, their flavor profile is similar to Cascade.
Anyone else brew with this hop variety?