We brewed a SMaSH beer with Adeena hops. They are supplied by Yakima Valley Hops and are another variety from New Zealand. This hop supposedly has more Noble hop characters so we put it to the test. Check out our review and tasting in this video.

The SMaSH Beer Process

Our Adeena SMaSH beer was a one-gallon batch, a format we often use for these experiments. We combined two pounds of 2-row pale malt, two gallons of water, and, of course, the star of the show, an ounce (28 g) of Adeena hops.

For our Adeena MaSH beer, we followed a slightly different process. We added seven grams of pellets at the beginning of a 60-minute boil to extract some bitterness. This choice was influenced by the hop’s alpha acid content. It was around 6%.

Later in the boil, around the 15-minute mark, we tossed in an additional three grams for a little extra flavor kick. But the real twist came during the hop stand. After cooling the wort to 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius), we let it steep with Adeena Hops for 10 minutes, allowing those delightful flavors to infuse.

On the third day of fermentation, we added another eight grams of Adeena Hops for dry hopping. After a total fermentation time of seven days, our beer has been patiently carbonating in the keg for two days.

Adeena Hops SMaSH Beer Thoughts

Mike described the aroma as having muted grapefruit notes, like overripe or dried-out grapefruit with a hint of pith. He also detected some citrus zest and a touch of dry lime peel.

On the palate, it was all about citrus, predominantly grapefruit. The bitterness was there, but it wasn’t a harsh or aggressive bitterness; it was more like a resinous, almost pine-like bitterness.

In our discussion, we talked about the potential applications for Adeena hops. While they may not be the classic Noble hop variety, they certainly have their place in different beer styles. We thought they could work well in a West Coast IPA, particularly when combined with other hops like some of the “C” hops.

For lager styles, we considered Adeena Hops as an option but not as a direct substitute. They have more of an American flavor profile, leaning towards citrus and away from traditional Noble characteristics.

Thanks to Yakima Valley Hops. BREW ON!