In the brewing world, centennial hops are known because of their vivid citrusy, flowery, and somewhat spicy characteristics. Centennial, also referred to as a “super Cascade,” adds a well-balanced bitterness that is ideal for American-style beers, pale ales, and IPAs.
However, what if you simply want to try out different tastes or are unable to locate Centennial? Fortunately, there are several alternatives that may enhance your brews with comparable—and perhaps even more thrilling—notes. There are a ton of new options for your brew when you use a different hop in place of Centennial hops.
Each choice may lend its own special touch while maintaining the same vivid, hoppy foundation, ranging from fruitier, tropical possibilities like Citra and Mosaic to citrus-packed hops like Amarillo and Cascade. Whether you like a well-balanced pale ale or a huge, assertive IPA, these substitutes give you the opportunity to experiment without compromising the crucial flavor that Centennial offers.
Let’s dive in.
Best Substitute For Centennial Hops
1. Cascade Hops
What do Centennial hops taste like? Known as a “super Cascade,” they provide IPAs, pale ales, and American ales the ideal balance of bitterness and fragrance by bringing a potent blend of citrus, floral, and faintly piney qualities to beers.
However, Cascade hops are a great substitute if you’re not in Centennial; they have somewhat softer edges and comparable citrus and flowery flavors. Cascade hops may offer brightness and depth to your beers without dominating them, giving them the same invigorating kick.
Cascade adds a hint of flowery sweetness and maintains the citrus flavor, making it ideal for pale ales and IPAs. Therefore, cascade hops are a fantastic alternative to maintain the perfect flavor of your brews if you’re looking for a well-rounded beer with the traditional hoppy taste!
2. Chinook Hops
What’s the difference between Chinook and Centennial hops? Although Centennial is renowned for its harmonious combination of citrusy, flowery, and somewhat spicy overtones, Chinook ups the ante with strong earthy, grapefruit, and piney aromas.
If you want a beer with a deeper, more resinous punch, Chinook is the right choice since it adds a more powerful edge. Chinook hops are a fantastic alternative to Centennial hops, particularly for making an IPA, pale ale, or any other hoppy beer that would benefit from a more robust and nuanced flavor profile.
When combined with other hops, Chinook’s piney and citrusy flavor adds a rich fragrance and layered bitterness that entices drinkers to return for more. If you want to give your beer a little extra zing, Chinook is a fantastic option!
3. Columbus Hops
When Centennial isn’t available, Columbus hops, which are renowned for their robust, earthy, and somewhat spicy flavor, are a fantastic substitute. Columbus adds herbal, resinous, and citrusy aromas that complement a wide variety of beer types, giving it a powerful scent and bitterness.
Columbus has a rich, robust taste profile that is ideal for people who want a stronger beer and may help you add additional depth and complexity. Columbus excels in hoppy types including as pale ales and IPAs, where its strong bitterness counterbalances large, malty characteristics.
It’s also a common addition to porters and stouts, giving darker drinks the perfect amount of bite. Columbus is a great hop to try if you’re looking for a hop that can handle hop-forward beers as well as more balanced varieties.
4. Tomahawk Hops
How can Tomahawk hops replace Centennial without sacrificing flavor? Tomahawk hops are known for their powerful, earthy, and somewhat lemony characteristics, making them ideal for creating a strong, balanced taste profile.
They’re perfect for beers that desire bitterness and scent to stand out, such as IPAs and pale ales, but they also bring richness to stouts and porters with their herbal and somewhat spicy notes.
Tomahawk is an excellent alternative for Centennial since it has the sharp citrus and earthy backbone, but it also adds a little more bitterness. This makes it an excellent choice if you want to add depth to your hoppy brews. It’s flexible, intense, and worth trying in any dish using Centennial.
5. Zeus Hops
Do you want your brew to have a strong, flavorful hop that is punchy and bold? Zeus hops might be the ideal alternative to Centennial! Zeus hops offers a powerful layer to your beer that is ideal for genres like IPAs, pale ales, and stouts.
They are well-known for their intense bitterness and earthy, herbal, and lemony scent. Your beer will taste strong and full-bodied because of Zeus’s harsher, resinous edge, which intensifies the
floral-citrus vibe that Centennial provides.
The finest aspect? When you want a hop-forward beer with significant character, Zeus hops may bring out earthy, piney flavors with a citrus explosion. When you’re not in Centennial, Zeus’s flavor punch can cover for you with ease. See how it changes your brew by giving it a try!
6. CTZ Hops
The CTZ hop combination, which stands for Columbus, Tomahawk, and Zeus, is a potent and adaptable alternative to Centennial hops that gives any beer a citrusy, spicy, and earthy kick.
With its intense bitterness and resinous bite, CTZ is a great replacement for Centennial in hoppy lagers, pale ales, and IPAs. For significant flavor depth, this hop combination is a favorite, particularly if you want a beer with the traditional hoppy bite.
Another significant benefit of CTZ is its fragrance, which gives your beer a richer, more nuanced flavor by combining citric zest with dank, herbal overtones. CTZ may provide a comparable effect whether you want to add more bitterness or a more complex scent.
7. Amarillo Hops
When it comes to replacing Centennial hops, Amarillo hops have a unique quality. With a vibrant, fresh scent that is similar to Centennial yet different, Amarillo hops is known for its bright, zesty punch and a touch of flowery sweetness.
It is a great choice if you want to maintain the traditional citrus flavor in your beer because of its strong orange and grapefruit notes combined with delicate floral overtones.
Because of its versatility, amarillo may be used in wheat beers, pale ales, and even IPAs. The distinct taste profile of Amarillo provides depth and character to any beer, whether you’re making a hop-forward brew or a lighter beer that needs a citrus bite.
Additionally, it’s quite easy to work with because to its balanced bitterness, which allows you to get the ideal hoppy flavor without going crazy.
8. Citra Hops
Citra hops are an excellent substitute for Centennial hops, particularly if you want to boost the taste of your beer. Citra, known for its rich citrus and tropical fruit smells, adds robust grapefruit, lime, and passion fruit notes to the blend.
This hop is popular among brewers who wish to create a vivid, hoppy character that stands out. Citra may add a juicy and refreshing flavor to your IPA, pale ale, or fruity pale ale.
Citra’s adaptability is one of its most significant advantages. It works great in hop-forward types, but it also lends a lovely richness to lighter beers and lagers.
Plus, a wide range of different hops complement citral, so you may experiment and make original taste combinations. Therefore, in your next brewing endeavor, seek for Citra if Centennial isn’t available and release a rush of tropical pleasure!
9. Simcoe Hops
Don’t let the scarcity of Centennial hops spoil your brewing plans! Simcoe hops are a great replacement if you need one. Simcoe, with its distinct blend of pine, earthiness, and fruity aromas such as apricot and cherry, lends richness and depth to any brew.
This hop is ideal for producing IPAs, pale ales, and even stouts, making it a flexible choice for any style. Using Simcoe may improve your beer game by delivering a strong flavor that pairs well with other hops.
Whether you want a punchy, hop-forward IPA or a well-rounded pale ale, Simcoe strikes the perfect mix of bitterness and flavour. It’s also ideal for dry hopping, which boosts fragrance and taste without overpowering your brew.
Try Simcoe the next time you need a Centennial alternative, and you’ll be delighted with the tasty outcome!
10. Mosaic Hops
Never undervalue the effectiveness of mosaic hops as a Centennial hop alternative! Mosaic offers an intense blend of tastes that might improve your beer game if you’re trying to create something different.
Mosaic is a great option for anybody who like strong, hoppy beers because of its tropical fruit taste, which includes notes of citrus, pineapple, and mango. Mosaic hops enhance the richness and depth of your favorite recipes in IPAs, pale ales, and even certain stouts.
They can improve the flavor profile and scent, producing a rich, fragrant experience that will entice your taste buds to return for more. Therefore, if you are unable to locate Centennial, get some Mosaic and let your imagination go wild when brewing!
Final Words
Don’t worry if you can’t buy Centennial hops; there are still lots of hops that will still give your beer fantastic tastes! With the correct substitution, your beer will continue to taste fresh and full of character, whether your goal is a well-balanced pale ale or a strong, citrusy IPA. Hops like Simcoe and Mosaic give a fun twist with fruitier or earthy aromas, while Cascade and Amarillo provide the traditional citrus and flowery touch. Try varying these hops to find which one suits your recipe the best. Ultimately, the appeal of brewing is in trying out various hops; you may even discover a new favorite in the process. Cheers to brewing something unique!