This table captures our tasting notes from dozens of SMaSH (Single Malt and Single Hop) beers brewed to explore each hop’s unique character. For every variety, we compare our impressions to the official descriptors and suggest beer styles. There is also a link to each full video. Please use this resource to understand hops aromas and flavors.
| Hop Variety | What We Thought | Suggested Beer Styles | Video |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mosaic | The pine and citrus notes dominated both aroma and taste, while the tropical fruit and blueberry characteristics mentioned in descriptions were faint or hard to detect. The hop delivered a strong, resinous bitterness, but the overall flavor impact was less vibrant than expected. | Aggressive West Coast IPAs, Dank/Resinous IPAs, Bitterness-focused IPAs blended with fruitier hops for balance. | Link |
| Galaxy | Galaxy delivered intense tropical fruit aromas especially passion fruit and peach with a punchy flavor that lived up to its reputation. Unlike some hops that overpromise, this one came through strongly in both aroma and taste. | Hazy IPAs, Tropical Pale Ales, Fruity SMASH Beers | Link |
| El Dorado | El Dorado had soft aromas of watermelon candy and pear, but the flavors were mild compared to commercial examples. It leaned more subtle and juicy than bold or bitter, making it feel like a supporting player. | Fruited Pale Ales, Blonde Ales, Summer Wheat Beers | Link |
| Amarillo | Amarillo showed a solid orange citrus core with floral and grapefruit undertones, but didn’t explode with flavor. It was more balanced than bold, with pleasant bitterness and mild aroma. | American Pale Ales, Amber Ales, IPAs where a softer citrus note is desired | Link |
| Ekuanot (Equinox) | Exceptionally pungent from the packet, Ekuanot delivered a unique mix of melon, grape skin, and green pepper notes. The tropical fruit aromas expected were subdued compared to the vegetal bitterness, likely due to early hop additions. | American IPAs, West Coast Red Ales, Pale Ales (as part of a blend) | Link |
| Motueka | Motueka showed restrained aroma and flavor with notes of pine, vegetal earthiness, and citrus pith. The bitterness was assertive, with subtle spice reminiscent of its noble Saaz heritage. | New Zealand-style Pilsners, Hoppy Pale Ales, Saison, Belgian Blonde | Link |
| Azacca | Azacca presented dried pineapple, melon, and pear notes with a minty freshness and soft, dusty character. It didn’t match the intense tropical descriptors, but offered good support hop potential. | Hazy IPAs (as a blend component), American Pale Ales, Blonde Ales | Link |
| Sabro | Sabro revealed flavors of lime zest, cucumber, and coconut with a green melon and green onion aroma. The coconut lingered on the finish, offering a unique but delicate profile that might get lost when blended. | American Wheat, Blonde Ale, Single-Hop Pale Ales, Coconut-forward Experimental Ales | Link |
| Citra | Citra delivered pink grapefruit, citrus pith, and passion fruit with green grape and juicy fruit undertones. Not as explosively aromatic as Galaxy, but balanced and drinkable. | American IPAs, Hazy Pale Ales, Passion Fruit Wheat Ales, SMASH Beers | Link |
| Lemondrop | Lemondrop provided subtle lemon zest and a faint lemonade-like quality, especially as the beer warmed. The flavor was delicate, closer to lime zest or artificial lemon than bright citrus. | Wheat Ales, Summer Pale Ales, Kölsch, Blonde Ales | Link |
| Mandarina Bavaria | Mandarina Bavaria had only faint citrus character, with soft tangerine and Cutie-like notes showing up late. Most impressions leaned spicy and earthy, making it better as a supporting hop. | Belgian Wit, American Wheat, Kölsch, Session Pale Ales | Link |
| Comet | Comet opened with grapefruit pith and cucumber skin aromas, backed by a Cascade-like bitterness. It was grassy, resinous, and sharp-edged, with mild stone fruit and lime hints. | Fruited Wheat Beers, American Pale Ales, West Coast IPAs, Session IPAs | Link |
| Vic Secret | Vic Secret offered a bright tropical burst of pineapple, green mango, and tangerine with a hint of pine. Described as 'Galaxy Light,' it performed well solo and could elevate a blend. | Hazy IPAs, Pale Ales where tropical hop notes are sought, Australian-style SMASH Beers | Link |
| BRU-1 | BRU-1 had delicate berry, lychee, and white grape notes with a clean bitterness and subtle spice. It lacked punch but brought complexity to the front and back of the palate. | Single-Hop Pale Ales, Blonde Ales, Summer Wheat Beers, Hoppy Table Beers | Link |
| Nelson Sauvin | Nelson Sauvin impressed with soft, juicy flavors of white grape, underripe melon, and white nectarine. It offered smooth bitterness, floral tones, and a light white wine character—one of the best solo performers. | New Zealand Pale Ales, White IPAs, Saison, Hoppy Blonde Ales | Link |
| Cashmere | Soft lemon-lime and under-ripe green grape flavors dominated both nose and taste, with a mild herbal-spicy linger. Packet descriptors like melon and peach showed faintly, while blueberry and lime stood out more. | Blonde Ale, Summer Ale, Radler-style hybrids, Low-bitterness American Pale Ale | Link |
| Lotus | Complex but hard to pin down. We described the aroma and flavor as candy-like (PEZ), with floral hints like geranium and faint vanilla. Didn't match packet claims of berries and tropical fruit, but vanilla and candied grape were noticeable. | Experimental Pale Ales, Belgian Wits, Cream Ales with adjuncts | Link |
| Nectaron | Mild but complex, with green melon, under-ripe peach, white grape, and lychee notes; more subtle than packet’s bold claims of passionfruit, peach, grapefruit, and pineapple. | Pale Ales, Summer Wheat Beers, Fruit-layered IPAs | Link |
| Denali | Big candied pineapple on aroma and flavor, supported by apricot and tangerine; finished with a grapefruit-pith-like bitterness. Strong flavor presence aligned well with descriptors. | Single-hop IPAs, Tropical Pale Ales, NEIPAs with supporting hops | Link |
| Calypso | Fruity upfront with pear and green melon notes, but dominated by a grassy, resiny bitterness; bitterness lingered far longer than fruit. Description promised apple and lemon zest, which were hard to detect. | Bittering-focused IPAs, West Coast IPAs, Foundational, bittering hop in multi-hop blends | Link |
| Loral | Subtle and noble in character. Earthy, peppery, slightly floral, with mild citrus and hints of dark fruit. Matched packet descriptors well and felt like a modern take on classic noble hops. | Cream Ales, American Lagers, Kölsch-style beers | Link |
| Idaho Gem | Lychee and light peach up front, followed by green apple and citrusy hints; finished with a strong resinous bitterness. Packet mentioned cherry and pineapple, but those were not clearly perceived. | Bittering Pale Ales, Resinous IPAs, Supporting hop for fruity NEIPAs | Link |
| Apollo | Muted fruit character (lychee, white grape) with a subtle dankness and a soft, resiny aftertaste; no clear grapefruit or pine as the packet suggested. Aroma was subdued but balanced in flavor. | Supporting hop for Nelson/Galaxy blends, Modern White IPAs, Dank Pale Ales | Link |
| Taiheke | Fruity and juicy with blackberry, black plum, and sweet fruit notes, supported by subtle lime rind and earthy undertones. Packet said grapefruit and lime, which were present but secondary. | Summer Pale Ales, Cascade-forward Blends, New Zealand Hoppy Wheats | Link |
| Strata | The intense strawberry and juicy tropical fruit character stood out, but it diverged from the more dank, cannabis-like descriptor often used on packets. Instead of pungent dankness, the beer leaned more fruit-forward with subtle earthiness. | Hazy IPAs, Fruit-Forward Pale Ales, Experimental Hoppy Lagers | Link |
| Idaho 7 | The expected tropical punch was more subdued; instead, it leaned into peach, herbal, and some lingering pine-resin bitterness. The flavor and aroma were pleasant but not overly juicy as some descriptors suggest. | West Coast IPAs, APAs, Experimental Pilsners | Link |
| Jarrylo | The beer delivered soft fruit character with dominant pear and banana notes, which aligned surprisingly well with the hop’s less-common descriptors. The banana note was unexpected in a SMaSH context. | Wheat Ales, Belgian-Style Blondes, Fruity Summer Ales | Link |
| Rakau | While the packet suggests stone fruit and tropical intensity, the beer had a milder profile: subtle apricot and peach with grassy undertones and mild bitterness. | Blonde Ales, Cream Ales, Subtle Pale Ales | Link |
| Medusa | The flavor leaned into soft, almost noble-like floral and herbal notes, contrasting the marketed citrus and guava. Very restrained and unique due to its neomexicanus lineage. | Saisons, Belgian Singles, Delicate Lagers | Link |
| Enigma | Raspberry and red berry fruit showed up strongly with white grape backing, aligning closely with the complex descriptors. Slight dankness rounded it out, making it feel both fruity and layered. | Hazy IPAs, Dry IPAs, Mixed-Fermentation Sours | Link |
| Waimea | Lots of pine and orange zest came through, more than the expected tropical fruit. The bitterness and aroma had a classic IPA edge rather than a fruit bomb profile. | West Coast IPAs, IPLs, Red IPAs | Link |
| Talus | Talus delivered huge grapefruit peel, rose, and woody coconut tones, closely matching its dramatic descriptors. One of the more expressive hops they've tested solo. | IPAs, Experimental Farmhouse Ales, Fruity Pale Ales | Link |
| Riwaka | Surprisingly expressive for its low alpha acids. Lime, underripe melon, and a hint of coconut or creaminess. Packet said pink grapefruit and sweet fruit; the flavor leaned more toward lime zest and gentle tropical tones. | Hazy IPA, American Wheat, Kölsch | Link |
| Anchovy | Lemon curd, sweet citrus, and a hint of coconut or vanilla. Very candy-like and bright. Not much pine or watermelon as the packet claimed, and raspberry was absent. | American Wheat, Blonde Ale, Summer Ale | Link |
| Krush | Extremely aromatic. Fruit Loops cereal, lime zest, candied orange, and a slight ginger zip. Lived up to claims of fruit salad character with citrus, berries, and stone fruit all peeking through. | Hazy IPA, Fruity Pale Ales, Session IPA | Link |
| Pacific Sunrise | Strange aroma and flavor. Wet plum, canned lychee, and creamy dull fruit. Packet said sweet fruit, citrus, and berry, but the hop landed in a woody, caramel, and floral lane instead. | Dark Mild, Cream Ale, Experimental Pale Ale | Link |
| Sasquatch | Creamy and lightly floral with gentle citrus and herbal character, more subtle than most. Descriptors like apple blossom and orange cream were hinted at, but this hop leaned soft and mellow. | Witbier, Blonde Ale, Cream Ale | Link |
| McKenzie | Honeydew melon, lime, and a touch of vanilla or cream but bright and clean. Packet promised grapefruit, lemon, melon, and thyme, and the hop delivered a smooth balance of those notes. | American Pale Ale, IPA, Cream Ale | Link |
| Palisade | Old-school profile with lime zest, grassy notes, and faint apricot that fades in and out. Much more green and herbal than the packet's sweet stone fruit promise. | Pale Ale, West Coast IPA, Blonde Ale | Link |
| Eclipse | Bold tangerine, lime, and lemon pledge notes. Described as sweet mandarin and pine on the packet, but pine was barely present. It leaned fully into bright citrus. | IPA, Pale Ale, Hazy IPA | Link |
| Belma | Earthy and spicy with subtle resiny bitterness; packet claimed strawberry, melon, and grapefruit, but it landed more like an amplified noble hop with light citrus pith. | California Common, Altbier, Pale Ale | Link |
| Mistral | A mild, complex hop with subtle fruitiness. Some freeze-dried peach, soft berry, and a noble-hop-like spicy base. Lacked strong citrus despite packet's claim. | Pale Ale, Saison, Belgian Blonde | Link |
| Triumph | Fruity and delicate with green grape, lychee, and soft melon notes; reminded us of Apple Jacks cereal with a subtle herbal-spicy finish. Less vibrant than packet descriptors but still pleasant. | Kölsch, Blonde Ales, Fruit-Forward English Bitters | Link |
| Jester | Subtle, earthy aroma with notes of ash, mustiness, and faint lemon; flavor offers light peppercorn spice with a touch of citrus. Not bold, but could unify fruit-forward and resinous hops in blends. | English Pale Ales, Bitters, Session IPAs | Link |
| Kohatu | Exceptionally dynamic aroma with floral notes like rose and honeysuckle, layered with peach, lime, sandalwood, and tropical fruit. Complex and aromatic with a clean finish. | Blonde Ales, American Pale Ales, Belgian Wits | Link |
| Polaris | Spicy, herbal, and pithy with a cooling menthol/eucalyptus edge; not as minty as advertised but leaves a lingering citrus peel bitterness. | A good candidate for lagers, pilsners, or as a high-alpha bittering hop in clean beer styles. | Link |
| Zappa | Complex and herbal with notes of poblano pepper, woody aromatics, mint, and a hint of fruity extract; flavor is sweeter than aroma, with diesel and earthy undertones. | Best suited for experimental saisons, Belgian triples, or farmhouse ales. Not recommended for NEIPAs despite intensity. | Link |
| First Gold | Hop aroma was subdued, with dominant earthy, mossy, and woody notes and a subtle dried basil or bay leaf spice; only a faint trace of red berry emerged on the finish. The packet claimed tangerine and marmalade, but we did not detect any of that. | Best for English ales, winter warmers, or spiced holiday beers where earthy hops can play a background role. | Link |
| HBC 438 | While the packet notes promised stone fruit, orange, tropical fruit, and minty herbal aromas, we found this hop to deliver juicy red grapefruit, mild sweetness, earthy herbal notes, and even a touch of red chili pepper flesh and nutty character. It had a smoother, cleaner finish than expected, and stood out more as a complementary hop than a leading one. | Blended IPAs, Pale Ales with layered hop character, Experimental SMaSH beers, Supporting hop in hop-forward blends | Link |
| Michigan Copper | The aroma and flavor leaned artificial, with strong notes of Trix cereal, artificial lime, and citrus pith bitterness. While the packet descriptors mentioned Hawaiian Punch, cherry, and hibiscus, the actual beer delivered more medicinal, vinyl, and popcorn-like notes. This hop was divisive—interesting in blends, but not suitable as a standalone. | Fruity or Berry-forward IPAs, Experimental Blends, Supporting Role in Hazy or West Coast IPAs | Link |
| Neo1 | While the packet descriptors emphasize bright lemon citrus and tropical notes, we found Neo1 to be more floral, mildly fruity, and reminiscent of stone fruit with hints of mint and cereal-like fruitiness. It had a pleasant, clean bitterness and stood up well as a standalone hop—drinkable, balanced, and potentially a great pairing hop for more expressive varieties. | Tropical Pale Ales, Fruity SMASH Beers, Supporting Role in Citrus-forward IPAs | Link |
| Pahto | Although the descriptor notes mention herbal, earthy, woody, resinous, and some fruit character, this hop delivered a pithy, pine-forward bitterness with woody undertones and a lingering bite. It lacked the neutrality expected from clean bittering hops, making it less suitable for fruit-forward IPAs but a solid choice for old-school West Coast styles. | West Coast IPAs, Double IPAs, California Common, Bitter-forward Ales | Link |
| Adeena | Although described as noble with spice, floral, lemon, and pine notes, Adeena came through mostly as muted citrus. Particularly yellow grapefruit and lemon zest with a lingering pithy bitterness. It lacked complexity but worked well as a utility hop, suited more for accenting citrus tones than for standing alone. | West Coast IPAs, Pale Ales, Hop-forward American Lagers, Utility hop in Citrus-forward Blends | Link |
| Alora | Although marketed with descriptors like peach, apricot, sweet melon, and Yuzu, the actual flavor and aroma were muted, offering hints of melon, faint citrus, and a subtle vanilla-like note. A green onion finish and general lack of standout fruit character made this better suited as a background or blending hop than a lead. | New England IPA (as a supporting hop), Pale Ales with soft fruit layers, Experimental Blends with Sabro or Huell Melon | Link |
| Superdelic | Despite claims of red fruit and candy, we experienced Superdelic as bringing a vibrant lime zest and Juicy Fruit gum character, with subtle grassy and lychee-like notes. The flavor followed the aroma closely, finishing clean with minimal lingering bitterness. Ideal for juicy, fruit-forward beers. | Hazy IPAs, Fruity Pale Ales, New Zealand Hop Blends, Juicy Session IPAs | Link |
| Pink | Package descriptors quoted citrus, stone fruit, honey, pineapple, apple, and vanilla, the actual flavor leaned toward Swedish Fish-style red candy, green herbal notes, and a lingering pithy bitterness. A fleeting hint of vanilla frosting added complexity, but the hop’s identity was muddled—better suited for blending or experimental fruit-forward beers. | West Coast IPAs, Fruited Pale Ales, Experimental Beers with Actual Fruit, High-alpha Blending Hop | Link |
| Vista | Though listed with descriptors like stone fruit, citrus, tropical fruit, and green tea, Vista came across mostly as floral, herbal, and mildly earthy with faint citrus pith and resin. It lacked distinct fruit character and felt more like a background or utility hop. Better suited for traditional ales than modern hop-forward styles. | English Ales, ESBs, English-style Stouts, Pale Ales with subtle hop character | Link |
| Evergreen | Marketed with descriptors like peach, citrus, pine, and watermelon candy, Evergreen instead delivered pungent green flavors, white peach rind, watermelon rind, and geranium-like floral notes with a pithy, resinous bitterness. Overwhelming and hard to pin down, it may work best in dark, adjunct-heavy beers where herbal, menthol, or floral traits can complement the recipe. | Imperial Stouts with adjuncts (cacao, mint, chili), Mole Porters, Experimental Herbal Ales, Not recommended for hop-forward IPAs | Link |
| Simcoe | While often associated with dank resinous bitterness, this Simcoe lot surprised with soft notes of candied pineapple, subtle citrus peel, and faint white peach. The bitterness was mild, and the flavor/aroma balance made it a standout when used in late additions. More of a fruity, foundational hop than a dank bomb. | West Coast IPAs, Hazy IPAs (as a base hop), Pale Ales | Link |
| Moutere | Promoted as fruity and resinous, Moutere offered bold tropical fruit notes, but they came across as slightly muted. A gentle bitterness and clean finish rounded out a well-balanced beer. | Tropical IPAs, Pale Ales with bite, Summer Hazy Ales | Link |
| Zumo | Pitched as a citrus bomb, Zumo came through with a sharp lemon-lime pop, but lacked the depth expected from modern juicy hops. Light-bodied with a zesty finish. | American Wheat Beers, Citrus Kölsch, Modern Blonde Ales | Link |
| HBC 1019 | This experimental hop leaned earthy and herbal, with only a hint of fruit despite descriptor promises. A unique, slightly spicy bitterness dominated. | Experimental Ales, Belgian Pale Hybrids, Rustic Farmhouse Beers | Link |
| Elani | Elani delivered on its description of citrus and floral, with notes of orange zest and subtle vanilla. It had a clean and slightly creamy finish. | Cream Ales, Kölsch-style beers, Easy-drinking IPAs | Link |
| Wai-iti | Hyped for big lime and stone fruit, Wai-iti showed more of a soft citrus and floral tea character. It was lighter and gentler than expected. | Summer Ales, Blonde Ales, Kölsch-style beers | Link |