Pacific Crest is a blend of classic noble varieties that brings together grassy, earthy and tobacco characteristics with mild floral, spicy, herbal and pine.
This unique hop imparts a flavorful and complex aroma to regional styles such as Northwest style IPAs and Pale Ales. A moderate bittering quality and a variety of fruity notes make this an excellent addition to any beer.
Origin and History
The Pacific Crest Trail is a transcontinental hiking path stretching 2,650 miles across California, Oregon and Washington. Brewing this beer is our way of paying homage to the people who hike its paths. PCP is a hazy golden ale brewed with Ekuanot and Mosaic hops. A smooth malt backbone combines with berry, melon and citrus hop aromas to provide the perfect hiking refreshment.
This Yakima Chief proprietary blend is a floral-spice-forward, Noble-esque profile that imparts the characteristics of classic Noble hops with a spicy American twist. It’s a great addition to any Pils, Lager or Pale Ale wishing to showcase the latest and greatest in hops. It can be used in a wide variety of beer styles, but works best as a single hop or incorporated into a more complex brew.
Characteristics and Flavor Profile
Pacific Crest hops from Washington State feature rich aromas of apricot, pineapple, and floral notes. These dual purpose American hops are great additions to Pale Malt Ales, IPAs and other full flavor styles of beer. Chinooks also deliver heavy bittering characteristics ranging between 12% and 14% of alpha acid.
One of the most commonly brewed New Zealand varietals, Pacifica combines German inspiration with the soil of New Zealand for a modern take on traditional hops. This variety, a product of Hallertau Mittelfruh, offers bright citrus and lime flavors that balance out with a subtle spice from high levels of cohumulone. These bright aromatics and versatile flavors make Pacifica a perfect choice for a variety of ales, but it really shines in lagers. See what the hop can do for your next brew by testing it out in your own recipes!
Brewing Uses
With their fruity aromas, Pacific Crest Hops have a wide range of brewing uses. They’re a great choice for IPAs and Imperial styles, but they also work well in Pale Ales and Lagers.
The neomexicanus breed of this hop has low alpha acid levels and high oil content that allow it to pack intense flavor into beer styles without adding bitterness. This variety is known for its floral, woody, coconut, whiskey/bourbon, and fruity notes of citrus and grapefruit.
Bred from Cascade and Centennial, this versatile hop is best used for its aromatic properties, but it can add a moderate amount of bittering to your brew. The alpha acid range of 3.5% to 5.5% lets an earthy, spicy flavor shine through. If you want to use this variety for bittering, we recommend using another hop in its place, such as Columbus or Mt. Rainier.
Pairing of $ prompt with different beer styles
Whether you’re a brewer, connoisseur or a casual drinker this hop has got you covered. A high alpha content hop with a long flowering cycle and low bittering properties makes this one of the most forgiving varieties on the market. It also boasts the smallest footprint on the malt bill, resulting in a smooth and well-blended beer. With the right recipe and a little ingenuity, Pacific Crest can be an effective ingredient in your next brew.
Read on for a few of our favorite IPAs that feature Pacific Crest. There’s even a few of these brews on tap in the brewery for a taste test. The best way to find out is to try them all! The biggest challenge is finding out which ones to keep and which to send back!
Availability and Cultivation
The availability of hops is critical for brewers to produce their beers. They are one of the four ingredients that make up beer, along with grain, water and yeast.
Hops can be grown in a wide variety of locations, but they are typically suited to a specific climate and soil type. Currently, the main hop growing regions are in the Pacific Northwest.
In fact, Oregon was the first state to grow hops in the United States. In the 19th century, people grew hops for beer making and other uses.
As the popularity of craft brewing rose in the Northeast, farmers began to look at alternative ways to produce hops. The problem is that these crops are water intensive, susceptible to pests and diseases, and often lack the diversity of flavor found in Pacific Crest Hops.