In the simplest sense, to brew beer, you need water, malts, yeast, and hops. That’s true whether you’re a home brewer slaving over your own little cauldron or a brewery working in vats at a much larger scale. And while each ingredient is important to the final product (and there are other ingredients based on beer styles), in our opinion, nothing impacts the overall flavor profile more than hops. This is especially true when you’re crafting robust pale ales, IPAs, and other hop-centric brews. But, even with that limited information, what do you really know about the most popular hops varieties?
In addition to aroma, flavor, and overall bitterness, “hops provide preservative characteristics to beer, enabling a longer shelf life for the liquid,” says Garth E. Beyer, certified cicerone and owner/founder of Garth’s Brew Bar in Madison, WI. “Hops, and the alpha and beta acids within them, are critical in the brewing process as they influence the bittering mouthfeel, final flavor, and aromatics based on the type of hop used and when it’s added to the beer.”
Hops added earlier in the brewing process provide more flavor and bitterness, whereas hops used later in the brewing process provide the aromatic impact.
“The best brewers in the world know which hops to use together, when to use them in the brewing process, and how much to use to produce the ideal craft beer.”
Do you know how to recognize the most popular hops varieties to choose a beer you’ll enjoy? Do you know what flavors certain hops are known for? Do you know which hops impact aroma, or which gives your favorite beer its tropical tang or bitter finish? Well, you’re about to find out.
Hops 101
First, you need to know what hops actually are. Hops are a member of the Cannabaceae family of flowering plants (also known as the hemp family, unto which cannabis belongs to). They’re considered a flower, but are more conical in shape than a traditional bloom. They’re the reason your beer has a bitter, floral, fruity, dank, piney, resinous, or citrus flavor. Without them, your beer would be overly malty and not remotely as drinkable.
Now that you know a little bit about the importance of hops, it’s time to learn about some of the most popular hop varieties. We picked 10 of our favorites. Keep scrolling to learn what each brings to your beer.
10 Most Popular Hops Varieties and What They Bring to the Table
1. Mosaic
An offshoot of the popular Simcoe hop, according to beermaverick.com, Mosaic was first made available in 2012. “Mosaic is used as both a bittering and an aromatic hop, but brewers tend to use it more for bittering and flavor as it lends a light tangerine aroma with blueberry and currant flavor,” says Beyer. You’ll find it in popular fruit-forward beers like Trillium Headroom, which has tantalizing tasting notes of candied peach and orange peel up front, followed by juicy pineapple, sweet white grapes, bitter grapefruit, and mango smoothies for a creamy finale.
2. Cascade
One of the most popular hop varieties in the world, according to hopslist.com, Cascade was originally created at the USDA breeding program at Oregon State University and made available to brewers in 1972. It’s the hop that elicits the classic pale ale flavor we’ve come to associate with that style here in the States (you can thank the folks at Sierra Nevada). “Cascade is often used in West Coast IPAs for bittering as it offers herbal spiciness and grapefruit and citrus rind notes,” says Beyer. “It’s best used in the tail end of a brew to give it as much grapefruit and resiny aroma as possible.”
3. Saaz
“Saaz is a historic hop, one of the original four noble hops [classic European varieties] and is often used as an aromatic hop that gives beer an herbal, woody, and slightly spicy smell,” says Beyer. “It can also provide a subtle earthiness to flavor.” It’s often used for dry-hopping and can be found in many Czech and Czech-style pilsners, including the world’s first pale lager: Pilsner Urquell.
4. Amarillo
Like many hops, Amarillo only exists today because of a random discovery. Washington State’s Virgil Gamache Farms Inc. found it growing next to one of its other hop varieties in 1990, according to beermaverick.com. “Amarillo is a solid bittering hop that backs itself up with a light floral bouquet of tangerines, apricots, and melon flavors, but stays grounded with earthy-floral bitterness,” says Beyer. It’s most commonly used in dry hopping, when hops are added at the final stages of the brewing process to extract more of that citrus aroma. Experience it in all its glory by cracking open 3 Floyds Brewing’s Gumballhead, a tasty American wheat ale.
5. Hallertau Mittelfrüh
This classic German noble hop can be found in many beers in Germany and American craft beers hoping to emulate the traditional European flavor. “Hallertau Mittelfrüh is a hop that’ll insert herbal woodiness; aromas of sage, rosemary, and pine; and give beer a mild, clean bitterness in the mouthfeel and flavor,” says Beyer. Enjoy all it brings to the table aroma-wise in Deschutes Pacific Wonderland Lager.
6. Simcoe
Yakima Chief Ranches released Simcoe hops in 2000, according to hopslist.com, and they’ve since become one of the most popular varieties in American brewing. “Simcoe is a powerful bittering hop that combines subtle stone fruit aromas and flavors with more intense pine and bitter citrus zest,” says Beyer. It can be found in countless IPAs like Ommegang Neon Lights, a hazy IPA.
7. Galaxy
One of the coolest named hops on the market, Australian-bred Galaxy hops are an offshoot of the classic Perle hop variety, according to bsgcraftbrewing.com. “Galaxy is a remarkable bittering and aromatic hop that brings big waves of peach, guava, and tangy orange to the nose and tongue,” says Beyer. It’s found in beers like Trillium The Streets.
8. Magnum
Some hops are used for flavor and some are multi-purpose, meaning they’re used for both, but some are specifically added for bittering. This is the case with Magnum. “Magnum is a unique hop that offers a broad variety of bittering and flavor elements of grass, spearmint, lemon, menthol, and green fruit like apple and pear,” says Beyer. It’s one of the main hops used in Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA to deliver a rush of hoppy goodness.
9. Centennial
An extremely popular hop variety among American craft brewers, Centennial hops can be found in beers like Bell’s Two Hearted Ale and Founder’s Centennial. “Centennial is a well-rounded hop that brings an even layer of citrus and pine characteristics to the mouthfeel, flavor, and aroma,” says Beyer.
10. Citra
With a name like Citra, you probably have a good idea what’s in store. “Citra is the most-used hop in the world because of its intense citrus notes in both flavor and aroma,” says Beyer. “This one’s a classic.” It also pairs well with other hops and can be found in beers like Maine Beer Dinner, Three Floyds Zombie Dust, and Toppling Goliath King Sue. If you want a beer that’s brimming with bright juiciness, these all have tasting notes of mango, pineapple, and passion fruit.
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
Courtesy image
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
Marius Bugge
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Marius Bugge
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
Marius Bugge
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!