Simcoe Hops – T90 Pellets
Simcoe® is a highly versatile American dual-purpose hop known for its distinctive combination of grapefruit, citrus, pine, stone fruit and woody characteristics. Its complex aroma can also suggest passionfruit, apricot and subtle earthy or resinous notes.
Simcoe can be used throughout the brewing process. Early kettle additions provide efficient bitterness, while late-boil, whirlpool and dry-hop additions bring forward its signature grapefruit, pine and fruit aromas. It is particularly well suited to American Pale Ales, West Coast IPAs, Double IPAs and other modern hop-forward beers.
Specifications
- Hop variety: Simcoe® YCR 14
- Format: T90 hop pellets
- Origin: United States
- Purpose: Dual-purpose
- Alpha acids: Approximately 10–16%
- Beta acids: Approximately 3.5–5.5%
- Total oils: Approximately 0.5–3.0 mL per 100g
- Cohumulone: Approximately 17–21% of alpha acids
- Primary characteristics: Citrus, grapefruit, pine, stone fruit, tropical fruit and woody
- Common flavour impressions: Grapefruit, passionfruit, apricot, pine and resin
Recommended Beer Styles and Usage Rates
| Beer style | Aroma or whirlpool addition | Dry-hop addition |
|---|---|---|
| Hop-forward Lager | 0.5–2 g/L | 1–2.5 g/L |
| West Coast Pilsner | 1–2.5 g/L | 1.5–3.5 g/L |
| American Amber Ale | 1–2.5 g/L | 1.5–4 g/L |
| American Pale Ale | 1.5–3.5 g/L | 2.5–5 g/L |
| West Coast Pale Ale | 2–4 g/L | 3–6 g/L |
| American IPA | 2.5–5 g/L | 4–8 g/L |
| West Coast IPA | 3–5.5 g/L | 4–8 g/L |
| Hazy IPA | 3–6 g/L | 5–10 g/L |
| Double IPA | 4–7 g/L | 7–12 g/L |
| Black IPA | 2–4 g/L | 3–7 g/L |
| American Porter or Stout | 0.5–2 g/L | 1–3 g/L |
The quantities above indicate the total hop amount used at each stage. Simcoe can make up the entire addition in a single-hop beer or approximately 25–60% of a hop blend. Adjust the rates to suit your recipe, brewing system and desired aroma intensity.
How to Use Simcoe Hops
Bittering
Simcoe’s relatively high alpha-acid content makes it suitable for efficient bittering additions. Calculate the required quantity using the exact alpha-acid percentage printed on your packet and the target bitterness of your recipe.
An early addition can provide a firm bitterness suitable for American Pale Ales, IPAs and stronger hop-forward beers.
Late Kettle and Whirlpool
Add Simcoe during the final 10 minutes of the boil or in the whirlpool for concentrated grapefruit, pine, stone-fruit and tropical characteristics.
A lower-temperature whirlpool can help preserve its brighter grapefruit, passionfruit and stone-fruit aromas, while hotter additions may emphasise pine and resin.
Dry Hopping
Dry hop after active fermentation has slowed for a pronounced grapefruit, passionfruit, apricot and pine aroma. Moderate rates create a balanced citrus and pine character, while larger additions provide the saturated aroma expected in modern IPAs.
Simcoe can become strongly piney or resinous at high rates, so it is often blended with fruit-forward hops when brewing softer hazy styles.
Hop Pairings
Simcoe works well by itself and combines particularly well with:
- Citra for mango, lime, grapefruit and tropical fruit
- Mosaic for berry, tropical fruit and citrus
- Centennial for lemon, grapefruit and floral notes
- Cascade for softer grapefruit and floral character
- Amarillo for orange and floral notes
- Chinook for pine, spice and resin
- Columbus or CTZ for dank, resinous and citrus character
- Strata for passionfruit, strawberry and dank notes
- Nelson Sauvin for white wine, gooseberry and tropical fruit
- Riwaka for intense grapefruit and passionfruit
Possible Simcoe Hop Substitutes
No hop provides an exact replacement for Simcoe’s distinctive combination of grapefruit, pine, stone fruit and resin. Depending on the recipe, suitable alternatives may include Centennial, Chinook, Columbus, Mosaic or Idaho 7.
A blend of Centennial and Chinook can provide a similar balance of citrus, grapefruit, pine and resin. Always account for differences in alpha acids when substituting hops in a bittering addition.
Storage
Store Simcoe 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 Simcoe hops taste like?
Simcoe hops are known for grapefruit, citrus, pine, passionfruit, stone fruit and woody characteristics. Depending on the recipe and addition timing, they can also produce apricot, earthy and resinous impressions.
Are Simcoe hops suitable for bittering?
Yes. Simcoe is a dual-purpose hop with sufficient alpha acids for efficient bittering. Many brewers also use it in late-boil, whirlpool and dry-hop additions to maximise its distinctive aroma.
Can Simcoe be used as a single hop?
Yes. Simcoe is an excellent choice for single-hop Pale Ales and IPAs because it can provide bitterness, flavour and aroma. A single-hop beer will strongly showcase its grapefruit, pine, passionfruit and stone-fruit characteristics.
What beer styles suit Simcoe hops?
Simcoe is particularly well suited to American Pale Ale, American IPA, West Coast IPA, Double IPA, Black IPA and West Coast Pilsner. Smaller quantities can also add complexity to Amber Ales, Porters and Stouts.
When should Simcoe hops be added?
Use Simcoe early in the boil for bitterness, late in the boil for flavour, in the whirlpool for concentrated citrus and pine character or as a dry hop for its strongest grapefruit, passionfruit and stone-fruit aroma.
Is Simcoe suitable for hazy IPA?
Yes. Simcoe can add grapefruit, passionfruit and stone-fruit character to a hazy IPA. Pairing it with fruit-forward varieties such as Citra, Mosaic or Nelson Sauvin can soften its pine and resin notes.
Is Simcoe similar to Chinook?
Both hops can provide grapefruit, pine and resinous characteristics. Simcoe generally offers more stone fruit and tropical-fruit complexity, while Chinook is often more distinctly piney, spicy and resinous.
