Centennial Hops – T90 Pellets
Centennial is a classic American dual-purpose hop known for its vibrant grapefruit, lemon, floral and pine characteristics. Often described as a stronger or “super” Cascade, it delivers a familiar American citrus character with greater bitterness and a firm resinous edge.
Centennial can be used throughout the brewing process. Early kettle additions provide effective bitterness, while late-boil, whirlpool and dry-hop additions bring forward its grapefruit, lemon zest, floral and pine aromas. It is particularly well suited to American Pale Ales, IPAs, Double IPAs, Amber Ales and classic West Coast beer styles.
Specifications
- Hop variety: Centennial
- Format: T90 hop pellets
- Origin: United States
- Purpose: Dual-purpose
- Alpha acids: Approximately 8.5–12%
- Beta acids: Approximately 3.5–5.5%
- Total oils: Approximately 1.0–3.5 mL per 100g
- Parentage: Brewer’s Gold crossed with a USDA male
- Primary characteristics: Citrus, floral, pine and resin
- Common flavour impressions: Grapefruit, lemon zest, orange, flowers and pine
Recommended Beer Styles and Usage Rates
| Beer style | Aroma or whirlpool addition | Dry-hop addition |
|---|---|---|
| American Blonde Ale | 0.5–1.5 g/L | 0.5–2 g/L |
| American Wheat Beer | 0.5–2 g/L | 1–2.5 g/L |
| American Amber Ale | 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 |
| 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 |
| Red IPA | 2–4 g/L | 3–7 g/L |
| Black IPA | 2–4 g/L | 3–7 g/L |
| Double IPA | 3.5–6 g/L | 6–12 g/L |
The quantities above indicate the total amount of hops used at each stage. Centennial can make up the entire addition in a single-hop beer or approximately 25–60% of a hop blend. Adjust the quantities to suit your recipe, brewing system and desired aroma intensity.
How to Use Centennial Hops
Bittering
Centennial’s relatively high alpha-acid content makes it suitable for bittering additions. Use the exact alpha-acid percentage printed on your packet when calculating the required quantity and expected IBU contribution.
Centennial can produce a firm, clean bitterness that works especially well in American Pale Ales, IPAs and stronger hop-forward beers.
Late Kettle and Whirlpool
Add Centennial during the final 10 minutes of the boil or in the whirlpool to develop grapefruit, lemon, floral and pine characteristics. Lower-temperature whirlpool additions can help retain more of its fresh citrus and floral aroma.
Dry Hopping
Dry hop after active fermentation has slowed for a bright grapefruit, lemon zest, floral and pine aroma. Moderate additions provide a balanced classic American hop character, while larger additions create the assertive citrus and resin profile associated with West Coast IPAs.
Hop Pairings
Centennial works well by itself and combines particularly well with:
- Cascade for grapefruit, floral and citrus character
- Chinook for pine, spice and resin
- Columbus or CTZ for dank, resinous and citrus notes
- Simcoe for grapefruit, pine and earthy depth
- Amarillo for orange and floral character
- Citra for mango, lime and tropical citrus
- Mosaic for berry, tropical fruit and grapefruit
- Strata for passionfruit, strawberry and dank notes
Possible Centennial Hop Substitutes
No substitute provides exactly the same balance as Centennial. Depending on the recipe, suitable alternatives may include Cascade, Amarillo, Chinook or a combination of Cascade and Columbus.
Cascade is generally softer and lower in alpha acids, while Chinook provides a stronger pine and resin character. Always account for differences in alpha acids when substituting hops in a bittering addition.
Storage
Store Centennial 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 Centennial hops taste like?
Centennial hops are known for grapefruit, lemon zest, floral, pine and resinous characteristics. They deliver a classic American hop profile with a stronger bitterness and more pronounced citrus character than Cascade.
Are Centennial hops suitable for bittering?
Yes. Centennial is a dual-purpose hop with enough alpha acids for effective bittering. It can provide firm bitterness while also contributing citrus, floral and pine flavours when used later in the brewing process.
Can Centennial be used as a single hop?
Yes. Centennial works very well in single-hop Pale Ales and IPAs because it can provide bitterness, flavour and aroma. A single-hop recipe is an excellent way to explore its balance of grapefruit, flowers and pine.
What beer styles suit Centennial hops?
Centennial is particularly well suited to American Pale Ale, American IPA, West Coast IPA, Double IPA, Amber Ale, Red IPA and Black IPA. Smaller additions can also work well in Blonde Ales, Wheat Beers and hop-forward lagers.
When should Centennial hops be added?
Use Centennial early in the boil for bitterness, during the final 10 minutes for flavour, in the whirlpool for concentrated citrus character or as a dry hop for its strongest grapefruit, floral and pine aroma. It can be used at several stages in the same recipe.
Is Centennial similar to Cascade?
Yes. Centennial is often compared with Cascade because both varieties provide grapefruit, citrus and floral notes. Centennial generally has higher alpha acids and a stronger pine and resin character, making it suitable for both bittering and aroma additions.
