My Top Hops!

Here are the top three types of hops I like to use.

1) Cascade - A descended of the English fuggle, but all American.  This is considered by most to be an aroma hop, but many brewers used it as a bittering hop also.  This has an alpha acid range of 4.5-7% which allows for using for flavor or aroma.  It produces a flowery, spicy and citrus like flavor with the hit of grapefruit flavor.  You can use this in many American style beers such as Pale Ales and IPAs.

2) Fuggles -  This is the British staple for beers.  This hop has been around since the late 1800's and at one time made up the majority of the English hop crop.  It gives off earthy taste and it low of the sweet side. Contains alpha acids from 3.8-5.5%.  This is also used mainly for aroma.  It can be used in pretty much any type of English style beer.

3) Northern Brewer - A very predominate hop from the West Coast.  Mainly used as a bittering hop.  This produces a more earthy, evergreen and mint-like flavor.  This hop would be on the exact opposite end of the spectrum compared to Cascade hops.  This hop provides a alpha acid level of 8-10%.  For a good example of this beer try a Steam Beer or a California Common Ale.  A commercial example of this would be Anchor Steam Ale.