If you are a fan of American-style IPAs and pale ales, chances are you have tasted simcoe hops. Simcoe is one of the most popular hops among U.S. craft and home brewers. This variety is known for its diversity and unique complexity along with a smooth bitterness due to its high alpha acid content and extremely low cohumulone content.

Origin and History of Simcoe Hops

Simcoe hops were released to the world in 2000 by Yakima Chief Ranches, a grower-owned hop supplier based in Washington state. Simcoe was created by Charles E. Zimmermann, a renowned hop breeder who also developed other famous varieties such as Amarillo, Citra, and Mosaic. Simcoe was derived via open pollination, but its exact parentage is a secret due to its proprietary status.

Simcoe was originally named YCR 14, but was later trademarked as Simcoe by Yakima Chief Ranches. The name Simcoe comes from the Simcoe County in Ontario, Canada, where Zimmermann’s ancestors lived. Simcoe quickly gained popularity among brewers for its versatile and distinctive characteristics. It has been referred to as “Cascade on steroids” by some brewers.

Characteristics of Simcoe Hops

Simcoe is a dual-purpose hop. It is most often used in bittering additions and creates a clean, smooth bitterness along the same lines as what you would expect from magnum hops. But, unlike Magnum it holds more potential when it comes to flavor and aroma. It can impart some spicy, fruity, and earthy notes through aroma and dry hopping additions.

Simcoe has a high alpha acid percentage ranging from 11% to 15%, which makes it ideal for adding bitterness to beers. It also has a low cohumulone percentage ranging from 15% to 21%, which means that the bitterness is not harsh or astringent, but rather smooth and pleasant¹. Simcoe also has a moderate to high total oil content of 2-2.5 mL/100g, which contributes to its aromatic qualities.

The flavor and aroma profile of simcoe hops is complex and varied. It has been described as having bright citrus flavors with earthy undertones, aromas of grapefruit, pine and herbs, and specific descriptors such as passion fruit, berry, apricot, and bubblegum. Simcoe can also produce some dank and resinous notes that are reminiscent of cannabis. Simcoe is often used in combination with other hops to create balanced and layered hop profiles.

Beer Styles That Use Simcoe Hops

Simcoe is commonly used in American-style IPAs and pale ales, where it can showcase its bittering and aromatic properties. It can also be used in other hop-forward styles such as double IPAs, imperial IPAs, session IPAs, red ales, amber ales, and black IPAs. Simcoe can also add some complexity and depth to other styles such as porters, stouts, brown ales, saisons, and lagers.

Some examples of commercial beers that use simcoe hops are:

– Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
– Russian River Pliny the Elder
– Sierra Nevada Hoptimum
– Stone Enjoy By IPA
– Lagunitas Sucks
– Flying Dog Snake Dog IPA
– Firestone Walker Double Jack
– Founders Centennial IPA
– Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA
– Wicked Weed Pernicious IPA

How to Grow Simcoe Hops

Simcoe hops are grown exclusively in the Yakima Valley of Washington state by Yakima Chief Ranches and their affiliated growers. Simcoe is not available for home growers or other commercial growers due to its patented status. However, if you are interested in growing your own hops at home, you can try some other varieties that have similar characteristics to simcoe such as Summit, Chinook, Columbus, or Warrior.

Simcoe hops are moderately difficult to harvest due to their medium cone size and density. They have a moderate to high growth rate and yield amount of 2300-2500 kg/hectare (2050-2230 lbs/acre). They are resistant to powdery mildew and sperotheca (a fungal disease that affects hop cones), but susceptible to other pests and diseases that affect hops.

Simcoe hops have a good storability and retain 70%-80% of their alpha acid after 6 months of storage at 20ºC (68ºF). They should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place to preserve their quality and freshness.

How to Brew With Simcoe Hops

Simcoe hops can be used in any stage of the brewing process, from bittering to dry hopping. They can be used as a single hop variety or in combination with other hops to create different hop profiles. Simcoe hops are available in different forms such as whole leaf, pellet, extract, or cryo. The form you choose depends on your preference and equipment.

When brewing with simcoe hops, you should consider the following factors:

• Alpha acid percentage: Simcoe has a high alpha acid percentage of 11%-15%, which means that it can add a lot of bitterness to your beer. You should adjust your hop additions according to your desired bitterness level and beer style. A general rule of thumb is to use 1 oz of simcoe hops per 5 gallons of wort for a moderate bitterness of around 40 IBUs. You can use more or less depending on your taste and recipe.
• Hop utilization: Hop utilization is the percentage of alpha acids that are extracted from the hops and transferred to the wort during the boil. Hop utilization depends on several factors such as boil time, boil gravity, pH, and hop form. Generally, longer boil times, higher boil gravity, lower pH, and pellet hops result in higher hop utilization and more bitterness. You should adjust your hop additions accordingly to achieve your desired bitterness level and flavor balance.
• Flavor and aroma: Simcoe has a complex flavor and aroma profile that can add some spicy, fruity, and earthy notes to your beer. You can use simcoe hops in late boil additions (15 minutes or less), whirlpool additions, or dry hopping additions to enhance these characteristics. The amount you use depends on your preference and beer style, but a general guideline is to use 0.5-1 oz of simcoe hops per 5 gallons of wort for each addition. You can experiment with different amounts and timings to find your optimal hop profile.

Conclusion

Simcoe hops are a versatile and unique hop variety that can add smooth bitterness and complex flavor and aroma to your beers. They are especially suited for American-style IPAs and pale ales, but can also be used in other styles to add some depth and character. Simcoe hops are widely available and popular among brewers, so you should have no trouble finding them at your local homebrew shop or online supplier. Try simcoe hops in your next brew and see what they can do for you!

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