Chinook hop is characterized by an aromatic profile dominated by powerful notes of pine and grapefruit, accompanied by spicy and earthy nuances. This profile is mainly due to the high concentration of terpenes such as myrcene, responsible for citrus notes, and caryophyllene, which brings spicy nuances.
Introduced in 1985 by the United States Hop Breeding Program, Chinook is a hybrid resulting from the cross between Petham Golding and a selected USDA male. This hop shows a high alpha acid content, varying between 12% and 14%, and a total oil content ranging between 1.7 and 2.7 ml/100g, making it highly effective both for imparting bitterness and contributing to the aromatic profile in various beers, especially styles such as American IPAs, Stouts and Pale Ales.