In the world of craft beer, hops play a crucial role in creating unique and exciting flavour profiles. With their wide range of aromas and flavours, hops have become a playground for brewers, enabling them to push the boundaries of creativity and explore new combinations. The art of hop pairing involves carefully selecting hops that complement and enhance each other, resulting in a harmonious brew bursting with complexity. In this article, we will delve into hop pairing, exploring examples of hops that go best with each other, along with their aroma and tasting notes.

Citra and Mosaic: Citra hops are famous for their tropical fruit aromas of citrus, pineapple, and mango. Pairing it with Mosaic hops, which lend notes of blueberry, mango, and stone fruit, creates an explosion of juicy, fruity flavours. This combination is perfect for hop-forward beers such as IPAs and Pale Ales, giving them a vibrant and refreshing character.

Simcoe and Amarillo: Known for their bright and resinous qualities, Simcoe and Amarillo hops complement each other exceptionally well. Simcoe hops bring flavours of pine, grapefruit, and passion fruit, while Amarillo adds a floral and orangey twist. Together, they create an incredible balance of citrusy, earthy and tropical notes, resulting in a well-rounded and bold beer.

Centennial and Cascade: Centennial hops, with their floral and lemony aromas, happily partner with Cascade hops, famous for their spicy, grapefruit-like characteristics. This classic hop pairing is often seen in traditional American Pale Ales, lending crisp and delicate citrus flavours, along with a pleasant floral aroma.

Galaxy and Nelson Sauvin: Both Galaxy and Nelson Sauvin hops hail from the Southern Hemisphere, and their combination showcases an alluring fusion of flavours. Galaxy hops provide an array of tropical fruit characteristics, such as passion fruit, peach, and citrus, while Nelson Sauvin hops contribute a distinctive white wine grape-like flavour, with a touch of gooseberry. This pairing results in a beer that is bursting with tropical complexity and a unique vinous quality.

Hallertau Blanc and Huell Melon: Moving away from the traditional hop combinations, Hallertau Blanc and Huell Melon offer a fascinating twist. Both German hops, Hallertau Blanc delivers aromatic notes of white wine and light floral tones, while Huell Melon showers the palate with flavours reminiscent of honeydew melon and strawberry. This dynamic duo creates a refreshing and mildly sweet beer, perfect for those seeking a more delicate hop experience.

Azacca and El Dorado: Azacca and El Dorado hops bring a burst of tropical and stone fruit flavours to the table. Azacca exudes aromas of mango, pineapple, and citrus, while El Dorado adds notes of watermelon, pear, and stone fruit. Together, they create an irresistible combination of intensely fruity flavours, making them ideal for hop-forward beers seeking an explosion of tropical goodness.

Sorachi Ace and Citra: Sorachi Ace, with its unique profile of lemon, dill, and lemongrass, might seem like an odd pairing until combined with Citra hops. Citra’s intense citrus aromas of grapefruit, lime, and tropical fruits complement Sorachi Ace’s lemony character, creating a vibrant, zesty, and herbaceous beer that tantalises the taste buds.

These examples provide a glimpse into the incredibly versatile world of hop pairing. Brewers constantly experiment with different hops to create their own signature combinations and to push the boundaries of what’s possible. This constant exploration allows the craft beer industry to cater to various palates, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

Whether you prefer the citrusy and tropical explosion of Citra and Mosaic or the unique combination of Hallertau Blanc with Huell Melon, hop pairing plays a vital role in shaping the aromas and flavours of the beer you enjoy to drink and to brew yourself. So, next time you have a sip of your favourite craft beer, take a moment to appreciate the artistry behind the hop pairing that went into creating that delightful elixir.