Hey, we’re back with another SMaSH beer experiment. This time, we are featuring Zumo hops. This variety made a recent “hops to watch” list from a popular homebrew magazine, so we had to give it a try. Our goal, as always, is to brew a simple one-gallon batch with a clean malt bill and yeast profile to learn more about the hop character. So, what’s our take on Zumo hops? Let’s dive in.

It’s Zumo hops!

The SMaSH Beer Technique

For this experiment, we stuck to our usual SMaSH beer approach: 2 pounds of American two-row malt, two gallons of spring water with a touch of gypsum, and 3 grams of US-05 yeast. The hopping schedule was straightforward—7 grams at the start of a 60-minute boil, 14 grams in a whirlpool at 185°F for 10 minutes, and a 7-gram dry hop post-fermentation, held at a cold temperature for 24 hours to limit hop creep and boost aroma. Fermentation was warmer than usual, around 75°F (24°C), which might have impacted how the flavors came through.

Our Zumo Hops Thoughts

Zumo hops bring an interesting blend of flavors. Right away, we picked up a strong lime zest note, reminiscent of key lime rather than traditional lime. There were also hints of under-ripe honeydew melon, white grape, and even some lychee. The hop profile leaned more toward a tropical nectar quality rather than a juicy or overly citrus-forward experience. Unlike classic American citrus hops, Zumo lacked that sharp, pithy bitterness—making it smooth and approachable. Given its character, we think it would be fantastic in a Mexican-style lager, where it could naturally provide a lime-like essence without needing an actual lime wedge. It could also serve as a great supporting hop in hazy IPAs or pale ales, adding complexity without overpowering other tropical or citrus-forward varieties.

Overall, Zumo hops bring a unique take on citrus, with an emphasis on lime and sweet tropical fruit rather than the bright bitterness of grapefruit or orange. It’s a smooth, intriguing hop that we’ll definitely be experimenting with again. If you get a chance to brew with Zumo, let us know what you think.

Brew ON!