Cascade hop facts for kids
Cascade is a special type of hops. Hops are plants used to give beer its flavor and smell. Cascade hops are very popular, especially with smaller breweries in the United States. For many years, Cascade was the most planted hop in the US. It was later surpassed by another hop called Citra in 2018.
Contents
History
How Cascade Hops Were Created
Cascade hops were developed in the 1960s. This happened at Oregon State University in the United States. Scientists Dr. Stanley Nelson Brooks and Jack Horner worked on this project. They were part of a program by the USDA.
The goal was to create a hop with a nice smell and taste. They also wanted a hop that could fight off a plant disease called downy mildew. This disease can harm hop plants. Cascade was officially released in 1971. It was named after the Cascade mountain range. This mountain range goes through Washington, Oregon, California, and British Columbia.
First Use of Cascade Hops
The Anchor Brewing Company first used Cascade hops in their beer in 1975. They made it a special ingredient for their American pale ale. This helped make Cascade hops famous.
Today, Cascade hops are grown in many places. You can find them in the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Australia.
Characteristics
What Cascade Hops Look Like
Cascade hop plants have dark green cones. These cones are long and shaped like a football. Inside these cones are things called alpha acids. These acids give beer its bitterness. Cascade hops have a moderate to high amount of these acids.
The Smell and Taste
Cascade hops have a strong and unique smell. It is often described as flowery and a bit spicy. Many people notice a clear citrus smell, like grapefruit.
These hops are great for adding both flavor and aroma to beer. They can also be used to make beer bitter. Cascade hops are a key ingredient in many American pale ales. A famous example is the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Some lagers also use Cascade hops.
Varieties Around the World
Australian Cascade Hops
A type of Cascade hop is grown in Tasmania, Australia. This Australian variety is very similar to the US one. However, it has slightly different amounts of certain oils. For example, it has less myrcene oil and more humulene oil.
New Zealand Cascade Hops
Another type of Cascade hop is grown in New Zealand. This version also shares many traits with the US variety. People often say the New Zealand type has a stronger grapefruit smell. Since August 2016, Cascade hops grown in New Zealand are called Taiheke.
