Northern Brewer Hops are a popular dual purpose hop that’s found in many different types of beer. They provide a crisp, moderately bitter and slightly minty flavor to your beer.
They’re used primarily for their bittering properties, but they also offer some floral and herbal aromas. They can be used in a variety of styles, including Bitter, Extra Special Bitter (ESB), and Steam Beers.
Origin and History
Northern Brewer is a dual purpose hop that is most often used as a bittering addition. It has a moderate alpha acid content and a pleasant aroma that makes it an excellent choice for brewing ales.
It was developed in 1934 by Professor Salmon at Wye College, England, from a cross between a Canterbury Golding female and a male variety derived from Brewers Gold. The hop retained pleasant aroma characteristics of the female and high alpha potential from the male parent.
It is a successful commercial variety grown in the United States, Belgium, Germany, and Spain. It is also wilt resistant and is commonly used in lagers.
Characteristics and Flavor Profile
Northern Brewer is a traditional bittering hop with pine and mint characteristics. It is used in many recipes to provide a moderately bitter flavor.
It has a wide range of flavors and aromas from floral to herbaceous to earthy. It has also been known to add a mild spicy element to the beer.
This is a classic German hop that is also found in the United States. It is used in English Ales, German Lagers and Porters.
Originally bred in England, this variety is a hybrid of Canterbury Golding and OB21, a male seedling of Brewer’s Gold. It was first cultivated in the North of England but now has a large range of uses across Europe and the United States.
Brewing Uses
Northern Brewer Hops are a classic European hop variety that have been used for a wide range of brewing applications. They’re commonly added to beers that need mellowing out, and they also impart a pleasant pine and mint aroma.
Developed in England in 1934, Northern Brewer is a cross between Canterbury Golding and a male seedling of Brewer’s Gold. The strain has been instrumental in many varieties of hops and still is used today by planters across the world.
It has a moderate alpha acid profile and pleasant aroma, making it ideal for bittering purposes. In addition, it is resistant to verticillium wilt. It is often used in German style lagers, Belgian styles, and American ales.
Pairing of $ prompt with different beer styles
The right hops can take your beer from good to great, so choosing the right one for your brewhouse is paramount. A little bit of research and trial and error will help you lock in the best combination for your recipe.
For this week’s $ prompt, we’re going with the classic Washington state hop, the Northern Brewer. Generally a dual-purpose brewer’s delight, this one is particularly sexy when it comes to enhancing the flavor and aroma of your malt bill. Often used in blends with other big names like Cascade and Chinook, the Northern Brewer’s oh so smooth, mild bittering capabilities can be complemented by its more robust companions. The best part? It’s easy to do. Just give it a try! We can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Availability and Cultivation
Originally developed in 1934, Northern Brewer Hops are a classic European hop that has been widely cultivated in the United States and abroad. It was bred by crossing a Canterbury Golding female plant with OB21 a male seedling of Brewer’s Gold.
Generally, they are used as a bittering hop in brewing, but they can also impart a minty, evergreen and herbal aroma to the beer. This is because the hop contains high myrcene oil content and alpha acids.
If you want to brew beer with a little bit of an edge, this is the hop for you! Regardless of whether you’re an expert or new to homebrewing, growing your own hops is a great way to have some fun while supporting the craft beer industry.