Beers that Showcase Different Hops?

@k204 you likely would be interested in this list:

https://www.beeradvocate.com/ratebeer/?path=/tag/single-hop/

Cheers!

 

I had a flight like this at ellison brewery a couple months ago. I believe they had 7 ipas named the same but with a different hop in each name. My wife got a flight of all 7 ipas they had on tap. I tried most of them, it was interesting for sure.

 

This reminds me I’ve gotta pick up my obligatory 15pk of Mosaic Promise

 

Mikkeler, Denmark, made a series of IPAs, all with the same wort and different single hop variants. I drank them as an educational experience like the one you are suggesting. They are easy to find, just look for a hop variety name, followed by the words, “Single Hop.”

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/13307/

Here is an old article about the series. I think they still make batches, so this may be a lead for you.

http://beerstreetjournal.com/mikkeller-brings-you-19-different-hop-choices/

 

It's the only one that comes to mind, no idea if they still make it. But it's an interisting idea.

 

Hill does an excellent job with the "Single Hop Series:" Mosaic, Cascade, Columbus, Nelson, Amarillo + very proficient when it comes to the incorporation of dual hops

Start out with the pale ales (e.g. Galaxy), move to the imperial versions (e.g. Double Galaxy), and have fun with the commingling of hops thereafter (e.g. S&S #4)

http://hillfarmstead.com/single-hop-series/

 

The Zythophile Series from Lone Pint would be a good place to start if they made them all at the same time, or grouped them into seasonal mixed packs. Although some of them do use a different malt and/or yeast depending on which beer it is.

 

Revolution Hero series - Citra Hero, Galaxy Hero, etc...
Jackie O's Mandala DIPA - each release showcases a single hop
Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion series
Pipeworks Lil' Citra
Surly Xtra Citra
Against the Grain Citra Ass Down
Founders Mosaic Promise
Rhinegeist Mosaic

...just to name a few

 

Understanding that the pragmatic usefulness of the following observation is likely extraordinarily limited...

Your post reminded me of what Sam Adams did with the Latitude 48 Deconstructed pack several years ago - I think 2011? There was the Latitude 48 - a "complete" IPA that you could buy separately. Then the Deconstructed 12 pack with 2 each of 5 single-hop varietals, and 2 of the "complete" beer. It made for an interesting evening of tasting and comparing hops.

That was before any of the recent hybrids were being used. And I don't know of anything comparable being produced now. But I feel like that might be what you're hoping for...just several years too late.

 

A friend of mine purchase this years ago and it was an interesting tasting session.

http://archive.boston.com/lifestyle/food/blogs/99bottles/2011/04/sam_adams_releases_latitude_48.html

It would be really cool to see a similar type of release.

 

A lot of breweries do a single hop series these days - similar malt bill, different hops. Check out your decent local breweries, I'm sure someone has a similar series. Where I am in NY, there's tons. One by me used to even do a Pilsner single hop in addition to the usual IPA single hop.

 

Same idea with the exact same timing. Glad to know I have company reminiscing about the old days!!

 

When I lived in Omaha about 6 years back, they had a really cool event during "Omaha Beer Week" that I was very sad to miss (I worked nights & this took place fairly early in the morning).

The event was a hop tasting; basically, they used hops like tea & infused them in hot water only. The idea wasn't to get drunk (0.0% a.b.v) or have an amazing taste experience; rather, you would taste EXACTLY what the hop itself tasted like.

It keeps me up nights that I've never seen a similar event, as I would love to attend.

 

The beer that best showcases the Citra hop is Zombie Dust from Three Floyds. You'll have to cross the river into Illinois or travel to Indiana or Ohio to find it though.

Also, you can pick up Bell's Two Hearted IPA and Founders Centennial IPA and compare them to see what the Centennial hop tastes like. To me, these two beers are quite different, so good luck on deciding which one gives you the correct centennial flavor.

 

OP, Sierra Nevada has an upcoming Single Hop pack you may possibly be interested in. Should be out in the next few weeks I believe. https://sierranevada.com/beer/specialty/single-hop-pack

 

Best bet is to check out your local breweries and see what they are doing. One here in Houston basically does it's German pils recipe with different hops. I think they have knocked out about 6 hops over the past year. A lager in my mind allows the hop to shine thru pretty good. I like this, but also you have to consider that if you don't like a hop by itself, that doesn't mean that when paired with another you would still feel that way. Some hops when paired together become something special.

 

I love SMaSH IPAs for that very reason. Your best bet for trying single hops would be Founders. Centennial IPA, Mosaic Promise, and Azacca IPA all showcase their respective hops nicely.