Meet the Hot New Hops of 2013

Like pinwheel caps and Cosby sweaters, hops—the bitter flowers used to flavor some of your favorite beers—are forever going in and out of fashion. For a while, brewers couldn't get enough of super-citrusy Centennial (found in beers like Stone Ruination and Bell's Two-Hearted Ale), before being smitten by piney Simcoe. Then along came the white wine–like Nelson Sauvin and tropical Citra, which stole the hearts of brewers and beer lovers alike. But craft brewers are a restless bunch. In their quest for novel flavors, they are forever seeking out new hops that they can use to transform familiar recipes, or use as building blocks for something entirely. Here are eight of the newest hops you’ll be hearing about in 2013.  Joshua M. Bernstein is the author of Brewed Awakening and editor of Craft Beer New York. Follow him on Twitter: @JoshMBernstein.

In 2011, hop producer Hopsteiner debuted Calypso, a curious cross of several proprietary varieties, including a descendent of the sharp, pungent Nugget breed. The result is an appealing dual-purpose hop—it contributes both bitterness and aroma—with a fruity bouquet and flavors that calls to mind apples, pears, and perhaps a squeeze of Meyer lemon. Calypso is aces in a pale ale or IPA, though it’s also at home in a stout or barley wine.

What to try

Stone Enjoy By IPA: The super-fresh double IPA (which comes with an "enjoy by" date on the bottle) relies upon Calypso, as well as a host of other hops including Galaxy and Motueka (keep reading). The brewery also uses Calypso in its Old Guardian Barley Wine Style Ale. Wachusett Imperial Black India Pale Ale: The Massachusetts brewery’s smooth, roasty black IPA is a hit list of haute hops, including Falconer’s Flight and Calypso.

To honor Pacific Northwest brewing pioneer Glen Hay Falconer, supplier Hopunion developed this proprietary pellet that’s a blend of the region’s finest hops. Falconer’s Flight includes tropical Citra, pine-like Simcoe, and lemony Sorachi Ace, as well as several undisclosed experimental hops and local varieties. The result is floral and packed with flavors of lemons, grapefruit, and tropical fruit. And the best part? A portion of the proceeds is earmarked for the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation, which supports brewers.

What to try

DC Brau On the Wings of Armageddon: The Washington, D.C. brewery’s dangerously drinkable imperial IPA is exclusively dosed with Falconer’s Flight. Pyramid Outburst Imperial IPA: The bitter gem is dry-hopped with Falconer’s Flight, providing appealing flavors of citrus and tropical fruit. Harpoon Rich and Dan’s Rye IPA: The slightly spice, rye-fueled IPA is also dry-hopped with Falconer’s Flight, which imparts a citrusy complexity.  

In 2012, Washington’s Hop Breeding Company released HBC 369, better known as Mosaic. The aroma hop’s family tree includes piney-citrusy Simcoe and heady Nugget, a fine lineage for the offspring. Mosaic is floral and tropical for sure, but the fruitiness is tempered by a pungent, earthy edge. The hop shines brightest in styles such as blonde ales, pale ales, and IPAs.

What to try

Great Lakes Alchemy Hour Double IPA: Next month, the beloved Cleveland brewery will release this hop-forward, West Coast–style imperial IPA generously hopped with Nugget and Mosaic. Full Sail Lord of Darkness: The latest release in the Brewer’s Share series is a Cascadian Dark Ale smoothed out with oats and wheats. Amarillo and Mosaic hops provide a piney, fruity punch.

Though Washington’s family-run CLS Farms is keeping the lineage of El Dorado (“the golden one”) under wraps, the hop variety—which was first released in fall 2010—is poised to be a breakout star on tap lines in 2013. The dual-purpose hop provides a juicy blast of citrus and tropical fruit, with complementary notes of apricots, watermelon Jolly Ranchers, and freshly clipped grass. El Dorado is a natural fit for blonde ales and IPAs. Want to know more? Follow the hop’s Twitter feed.

What to Try

Flying Dog Single-Hop Imperial IPA (El Dorado): This month, the Maryland brewery’s single-hop series will be dedicated to the sharp, citrusy-sweet glory of El Dorado. Bronx Brewery Black Pale Ale: The New York brewery’s newest unfiltered dark ale relies heavily on Citra and El Dorado hops, creating a marriage of the tropics and chocolate.

Last year, Oregon’s Indie Hops thought it was reviving a forgotten variety dubbed Columbia, a relative to earthy and spicy Willamette. But when the hop was harvested, dried and pelletized, the growers realized that they had not raised Columbia but rather a never-before-seen variety that they named Meridian—a country road right by where the hop was grown. As for its profile, the clean and crisp Meridian recalls sugar-sprinkled lemons, or perhaps fresh fruit punch.

What to try

Shiner Farmhouse Ale: The Texas brewery’s newest seasonal offering is a refreshing, wheat-fueled saison with a sweet, lightly fruity flavor courtesy of Meridian hops. Three Heads Too Kind Double India Pale Ale: Later this month, the Rochester, New York brewery will release this imperial IPA that serves as a sweet and fruity showcase for Meridian hops.

Instead of the Pacific Northwest, American brewers are increasingly looking to New Zealand and Australia for the next generation of hops. One of the breakout stars is the Aussie-grown Galaxy, a dual-purpose cultivar with a fresh profile of citrus crossed with passion fruit. (It’s sort of like Citra, but with a grassier flavor and the tropical fruit turned down a notch.) The aroma makes Galaxy a great fit for both pale ales and IPAs.

What to try

Anchorage Brewing Galaxy White IPA: The barrel-aged ale is dosed with Brettanomyces, kumquats, black peppercorns, coriander, and plenty of Galaxy hops, creating a beer that’s as complex as it is quaffable. Tallgrass Brewing 8-Bit Pale Ale: While the 16-ounce can covered in vintage videogame graphics is rad, the best thing about this pale ale is the melony aroma supplied by Galaxy hops.

This New Zealand variety is partly the offspring of Saaz, a European noble hop known for its clean, spicy bouquet (it’s commonly used in pilsners). Motueka—which used to be known as B Saaz—is a lively hop, loaded with flavors and aromas lemon, lime, and tropical fruit. Naturally, the hop is right at home in a pilsner or lager, though brewers are beginning to use it in both single-hop pale ales and IPAs.

What to try

Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere Harvest: The California brewery’s revolutionary ale features just-plucked hops—New Zealand’s Southern Cross, Pacifica, and Motueka—that are dried and shipped to the brewery within seven days. The result is a floral, herbaceous knockout. Duck Rabbit Hoppy Bunny ABA: The North Carolina–based dark beer specialist has another winner on its hands with this lightly resinous black ale—the citrusy, tropical edge jibes well with the roasty profile.

Like its sibling Motueka, this hard-to-find New Zealand hop also came out of a breeding program that crossed Saaz hops with specially developed local breeds (it was once known as Saaz D). The result was Riwaka, an aroma hop with a grapefruit bouquet that’s more in line with hops hailing from the West Coast of the United States. Riwaka is great in a pilsner, but it also lends an intriguing profile to a pale ale or IPA. Bonus: Since New Zealand has no natural pests, there’s no need to use insecticide on the hop crops.

What to try

Epic Mayhem: Brewed in New Zealand, this Kiwi strong ale is drenched in flavors of grapefruit, peaches, and ripe summer melons, with a touch of pine thrown in for fun. Hill Farmstead Riwaka Pale Ale: The cultish Vermont brewery works wonders with Down Under hops. Check out its Double Galaxy, Motueka Pale Ale, and the zesty, grapefruit-driven Riwaka Pale Ale, which is exclusively hopped with the New Zealand variety. If you ever see this beer on draft, nab it on the double.