Product description
Chinook Hops – American T90 Pellets
Chinook is a classic American dual-purpose hop known for its bold grapefruit, citrus peel, resinous pine and spicy character. Subtle earthy, herbal and stone-fruit notes can add further complexity, particularly in maltier or darker beers.
Its high alpha-acid content makes Chinook an effective bittering hop, while late-kettle, whirlpool and dry-hop additions produce its distinctive grapefruit and pine aroma. This versatility has made Chinook a longstanding favourite for American Pale Ale, West Coast IPA, Red Ale, Black IPA, Porter and Stout.
Chinook can be used throughout the brewing process as a single hop or paired with other American varieties to create a layered citrus, pine and resin profile.
Specifications
- Hop variety: Chinook
- Format: T90 hop pellets
- Origin: United States
- Purpose: Dual-purpose
- Alpha acids: Approximately 11–15%
- Beta acids: Approximately 3–6%
- Cohumulone: Approximately 29–34% of alpha acids
- Total oils: Approximately 1.5–2.5 mL per 100g
- Parentage: Petham Golding and a high-alpha USDA male
- Primary characteristics: Grapefruit, citrus, pine, resin and spice
- Common flavour impressions: Grapefruit peel, pine forest, herbs, pepper, earth and subtle apricot
Recommended Beer Styles and Usage Rates
| Beer style | Aroma or whirlpool addition | Dry-hop addition |
|---|---|---|
| Hop-Forward Lager | 0.5–1.5 g/L | 1–2.5 g/L |
| American Wheat Beer | 1–2.5 g/L | 1.5–3.5 g/L |
| American Pale Ale | 1.5–3.5 g/L | 2.5–5 g/L |
| American Red Ale | 1.5–3 g/L | 2–4 g/L |
| American IPA | 2–4.5 g/L | 3–7 g/L |
| West Coast IPA | 2–4.5 g/L | 3–7 g/L |
| Double IPA | 3–6 g/L | 5–10 g/L |
| Black IPA | 2–4 g/L | 3–6 g/L |
| American Porter | 0.5–2 g/L | 1–3 g/L |
| American Stout | 0.5–2 g/L | 1–3 g/L |
| American Barleywine | 1.5–3 g/L | 2–5 g/L |
The quantities above indicate the total hop amount used at each stage. Chinook can make up the entire addition in a single-hop beer or approximately 25–50% of a hop blend.
Chinook has a powerful pine and resin character. Begin near the lower end of the suggested range in lighter beers and increase the quantity for assertive West Coast IPA and darker American ale styles.
How to Use Chinook Hops
Bittering
Chinook is an effective bittering hop that can produce firm, clean bitterness with a slightly resinous edge. It is particularly well suited to American Pale Ale, IPA, Double IPA, Porter and Stout.
Calculate the required amount using the exact alpha-acid figure printed on the packet and the target bitterness of your recipe.
Late Kettle Additions
Add Chinook during the final 5–15 minutes of the boil for grapefruit, citrus peel, pine and spicy flavour. Mid-boil additions can help bridge the bitterness and aroma additions in strongly hopped American ales.
Whirlpool Additions
Whirlpool additions emphasise Chinook’s grapefruit, pine and resin character. Lower-temperature additions can retain more citrus aroma, while hotter additions tend to produce a firmer and more resinous impression.
Dry Hopping
Dry hopping produces Chinook’s strongest grapefruit, pine, herbal and resinous aroma. Moderate additions suit American Pale Ale and Red Ale, while larger additions work well in West Coast IPA, Double IPA and Black IPA.
Chinook can become intensely piney or resinous at high rates, so adjust the quantity to suit the malt profile and desired hop intensity.
Hop Pairings
Chinook works well by itself and pairs particularly well with:
- Cascade for grapefruit, citrus and floral character
- Centennial for lemon, grapefruit and floral notes
- Simcoe for grapefruit, pine and resin
- Columbus for dank herbs, citrus and resin
- Citra for mango, lime and grapefruit
- Amarillo for orange and floral character
- Mosaic for berry, mango and tropical fruit
- Vic Secret for pineapple, tropical fruit and pine
- Eclipse for mandarin, citrus peel and fresh pine
- Comet for strong grapefruit and citrus
Possible Chinook Hop Substitutes
No hop provides an exact replacement for Chinook’s distinctive grapefruit, pine and spicy-resin character. Depending on the recipe, suitable alternatives may include Simcoe, Columbus, Nugget, Centennial or Northern Brewer.
Simcoe is a good alternative when grapefruit and pine are the priority. Columbus is suitable when a stronger dank and resinous character is acceptable.
Storage
Store Chinook hop pellets sealed, cold and protected from oxygen and light. After opening, remove as much air as possible, reseal the packet and return it to refrigerated or frozen storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Chinook hops taste like?
Chinook hops are known for bold grapefruit, citrus peel, resinous pine and spice. They can also contribute earthy, herbal, peppery and subtle apricot notes.
Are Chinook hops suitable for dry hopping?
Yes. Dry hopping Chinook produces a powerful grapefruit, pine and resin aroma that is particularly well suited to American Pale Ale, West Coast IPA and Black IPA.
Can Chinook be used as a single hop?
Yes. Chinook can provide bitterness, flavour and aroma throughout a single-hop recipe. It works especially well in American Pale Ale, IPA, Red Ale, Porter and Stout.
Can Chinook hops be used for bittering?
Yes. Chinook was developed as a high-alpha dual-purpose hop and provides effective bitterness. Its firm, slightly resinous bitterness is particularly appropriate for assertive American beer styles.
What is the difference between Chinook and Simcoe?
Both hops can provide grapefruit, pine and resin. Chinook generally presents a more robust, spicy and earthy pine character, while Simcoe often contributes a cleaner combination of grapefruit, pine, resin and subtle tropical fruit.
What beer styles suit Chinook hops?
Chinook is particularly well suited to American Pale Ale, American IPA, West Coast IPA, Double IPA, Red Ale, Black IPA, Porter, Stout and American Barleywine.
When should Chinook hops be added?
Use Chinook early in the boil for firm bitterness, during the middle or end of the boil for flavour, in the whirlpool for grapefruit and pine or as a dry hop for its strongest aroma.
