Cascade hop stands out for its intense citrus aroma, similar to grapefruit, with a floral background and a light spicy and peppery touch. This hop provides bitterness that is not very strong but is perceptible, helping balance the sweet malt flavour in beer. This profile comes from its terpene composition, with myrcene and linalool being the most predominant and responsible for these notes.
It was developed by the United States Department of Agriculture and released to the market in 1972. Since then, Cascade has become one of the most popular American hops of all time, today representing around 10% of all hops grown in the United States and, for many years, being the most widely cultivated variety before being surpassed by Citra in 2018.
Cascade has a moderate alpha acid content, between 4.5% and 7%, meaning it offers bitterness that is not too intense but is perceptible and pleasant. This characteristic makes it ideal for beers such as American Pale Ale and American IPA, where a balance between soft bitterness and an attractive, fresh aroma is sought. Its versatility also allows it to be used in experimental varieties and other beer styles that want to stand out for a citrusy and floral aromatic profile. Cascade hop has been key in the evolution of American craft beer, helping define the flavour of many popular beers today.
Today there are other varieties such as Australian (Tasmania) and New Zealand Cascade.
