Apollo Hops Exposed: The Ultimate Beer Style Match-Up Revealed

Reading Time: around 10 min

Apollo hops are like the muscle cars of the hop world. Big, bold, and unapologetically American. If you’re a fan of beers that pack a punch, you’ll want to cozy up with this heavy hitter. With alpha acid levels sky-high (think 15-20%)…

…Apollo hops have the bittering power to balance the boldest of brews.

They’re the hops you turn to when you need that bitter finish.

The kind that smacks you into next week.

Let’s talk about what Apollo hops do best. Slamming a beer with bitterness that’s more satisfying than popping bubble wrap. This hop variety sneaks into your beer like a superhero. Providing that crucial bitter backbone without stealing the spotlight with flashy aromas.

You won’t find them wafting through your brewery like some floral perfume; they’re there to do a job, and they do it well. Think of Apollo as your trusty sidekick in brewing. Strong, reliable, and always ready for action.

Key Takeaways

Apollo hops are rockstars in adding a strong bitter punch to beers.
They shine brightest in hop-heavy styles like IPAs and pale ales.
Stouts also benefit from Apollo’s bitterness, balancing their sweet notes.

The Rise of Apollo: Not Just Another Greek God

Ever heard of a hop that could make a strong impression without stealing Zeus’s thunder? That’s Apollo for you.

History and Origins: Space or Greece?

Think Apollo, and your mind might jet off to space or wander to Mount Olympus. But in the beer world, Apollo hops keep your feet firmly on the ground. And your taste buds soaring. Originally released by the USDA, Apollo’s roots intertwine with some big names.

It’s a progeny of the Zeus variety (no lightning bolts included).

And its family tree whispers tales of high-alpha bitterness and low cohumulone levels. In the mingling of USDA varieties, this hop emerged as a brewing muscleman. Flexing its bittering capabilities like nobody’s business.

Apollo vs. Zeus: The Hop Showdown

Imagine the soap opera if Apollo and Zeus duked it out in a brewing battle.

While Zeus hop might have that potent lineage. Closely related to Columbus and Tomahawk, known as the “CTZ” trio. Apollo takes the whole “bitter” thing seriously but without any family drama.

You know the Nugget hop, right?

Well, if Nugget is that reliable friend you go to for advice, Apollo is the adventurous buddy who convinces you to start a microbrewery in your garage. Apollo hops are like Zeus with a gym membership. Super high-alpha acids that punch your beer with bitterness.

Perfect for styles like IPAs where you want that hoppy slap in the face.

Getting to Know Apollo: It’s All About the Profile

Ladies and gents, prepare for a quick dive into the heart and soul of Apollo hops.

Their acids and oils, which are nothing short of beer alchemy.

Main Characteristics

Purpose: Bittering
Aromas: Neutral (while bittering)
Notes: Citrus, Grapefruit, Resinous, Pine, Cannabis
Alpha-acids: 15.0% – 20.0% [bitterness added through boiling]
Beta-acids: 5.5% – 8.0% [bitterness added through maturation]
Cohumulone: 23% – 28% of alpha-acids [bitterness profile: low = smooth, high = sharp]
Hops oil breakdown: 0.8 – 2.5 mL / 100g [responsible for flavors and aromas]
- Myrcene: 30% – 50% [resinous, citrus, fruity]
- Humulene: 20% – 35% [noble, woody, spicy]
- Caryophyllene: 14% – 20% [spicy, piney, herbal]
- Farnesene: 0% – 1% [fresh, green, floral]

Alpha and Beta Acids: The Dynamic Duo

Think of alpha and beta acids as the Batman and Robin of the beer world. Apollo hops boast an alpha acid content that swings between 15-20%. A caped crusader fighting to give your beer its heroic bitterness.

Meanwhile, the beta acids sit back, less prominent, but still essential in giving depth to the hop profile. Apollo is not just a muscle-head bouncer. It’s also got a low cohumulone level, which means the bitterness it brings is clean.

Not the type to start a bar fight in your mouth.

Oil Composition: Slippery When Wet

Now, let’s get oily – the good kind. Total oils in Apollo hops come in at about 0.8-2.5 mL/100g, with a cocktail of myrcene, humulene, caryophyllene, and a dash of farnesene.

Myrcene is the life of the party, delivering that resinous, fruity aroma. While humulene and caryophyllene back it up with some herbal and peppery notes. The party mix of these oils is what makes Apollo hops your best bet for dropping heavy bitterness.

Without dragging along an overpacked suitcase of flavors.

The Perfect Match: Beers That Worship Apollo

Apollo hops are like that friend who’s unapologetically bold. They march to the beat of a very bitter drum. The hop’s high alpha acid levels make it a powerhouse for bitterness, providing a punchy backdrop for hop-forward beers.

Let’s crack open the flavor profile.

And find out which beers give Apollo hops their moment in the sudsy spotlight.

India Pale Ales: The Bitter Truth

Your beloved IPA, with its hop-heavy heart, is practically begging for Apollo hops. Picture this: you take a sip, and boom, the bitterness hits you like a hop freight train. But wait, there’s more.

A crescendo of citrus and grapefruit notes playing second fiddle to a bold, resinous base.

An ideal IPA balance with Apollo might go like this:

60% Apollo for that bitter base note
40% complementary hops to add aroma and complexity

So, if you’re brewing an IPA, think of Apollo as your bitter bestie. It’ll make your IPA hop with joy. Not literally, but hey, if your beer could hop, Apollo would be its choice.

Pale Ales: Not as Pale as You Think

You’re probably thinking, “Pale ales? Those are delicate, floral creatures, right?” Wrong! Apollo hops swagger into the pale ale party and crank up the bitterness, but it’s not a one-note show here.

Yes, Apollo’s all about that base – bitterness.

But it partners up with other hops to let some pine and subtle citrus shine through. Which Apollo’s notes complement nicely. It’s like the hop version of a buddy cop movie. Tough with a heart of gold. For your pale ale, it’s simple:

Start with a solid bittering foundation with Apollo
Layer in a dash of aroma-boosting hops for that snazzy finish

Keep your pint glass on its toes. Or base, should I say?

Stouts: Dark Side of the Brew

Alright, so stouts might not worship at the altar of Apollo like IPAs do, but hear me out. Apollo hops can be the secret handshake between the dark, roasty malt and the need for a bitter counterpoint.

It’s like adding a dash of salt to chocolate – it just pops!

However, be subtle with your hop hand:

A light dab of Apollo early in the boil adds complexity
Avoid late additions – this isn’t a hop tea party, folks

A stout with a slight Apollo bitter edge? That’s called painting with the whole flavor palate. Daring, dark, and a touch dangerous. Cheers to that, my stout-hearted friend!

Brewing With Apollo: Rocket Science or Just Science?

Ever thought about brewing with Apollo hops? Strap in because you’re about to learn how to use this powerhouse in your next brewing adventure.

Bittering Techniques: From Zero to Hero

You want bitterness in your beer? Apollo hops can take you from a bland zero to a real hero. With their high alpha acid content, usually between 15-20%, they add a solid kick of bitterness without hogging the limelight.

Here’s the deal: add Apollo hops early in the boil.

And your bitterness levels will skyrocket.

Aim for about 1 ounce at the 60-minute mark in a standard 5-gallon batch. This technique will make your IPAs punchy with clean bittering that’s out of this world. Depending on the style you might want to go anywhere between 0.5 to a full ounce.

Late Addition and Dry Hopping: Fashionably Late

Now, you may think that Apollo hops are just a one-trick pony for bitterness, but hold your horses. For a “citrus bomb” effect, throw in Apollo towards the end of the boil or go wild with dry hopping.

Adding about 0.5-0.75 ounces in the last 5-10 minutes of the boil can add some zesty notes without overpowering your palate. Want to experiment with dry hopping? Go ahead and toss in 1-2 ounces in your fermenter.

This will add subtle aromas that complement the bitterness, like a good wingman.

Style Name	Brewing Stage	Min of Oz per gallon	Max of Oz per gallon	Min of Oz per batch [5gal]	Max of Oz per batch [5gal]	Average of Oz per gallon
American IPA	Aroma	0.02	0.8	0.09	4	0.15
	Bittering	0.01	0.4	0.06	2	0.13
	Dry Hop	0.04	1.31	0.19	6.54	0.22
	First Wort	0.01	0.6	0.04	3	0.1
	Flavor	0.01	0.4	0.06	2	0.11
	Hopback	0.08	0.56	0.4	2.78	0.26
	Mash	0.03	0.1	0.17	0.5	0.07
	Whirlpool	0.03	1.45	0.15	7.27	0.18
American IPA Total		0.01	1.45	0.04	7.27	0.15
New England IPA	Aroma	0.05	0.63	0.23	3.17	0.16
	Bittering	0.01	0.18	0.03	0.91	0.09
	Dry Hop	0.07	0.78	0.36	3.92	0.26
	First Wort	–	0.18	0.02	0.9	0.05
	Flavor	0.05	0.2	0.25	1	0.1
	Whirlpool	0.05	0.8	0.26	4	0.23
New England IPA Total		–	0.8	0.02	4	0.18
American Pale Ale	Aroma	0.03	0.4	0.16	1.98	0.12
	Bittering	0.02	0.53	0.09	2.67	0.09
	Dry Hop	0.05	0.67	0.26	3.33	0.26
	First Wort	0.01	0.18	0.06	0.91	0.06
	Flavor	0.03	0.36	0.16	1.78	0.11
	Whirlpool	0.04	0.67	0.19	3.33	0.25
American Pale Ale Total		0.01	0.67	0.06	3.33	0.13
Double IPA	Aroma	0.03	0.54	0.15	2.7	0.17
	Bittering	0.03	0.25	0.15	1.25	0.14
	Dry Hop	0.05	0.36	0.23	1.82	0.16
	First Wort	0.04	0.24	0.22	1.18	0.14
	Flavor	0.03	0.33	0.15	1.67	0.12
	Whirlpool	0.02	0.33	0.09	1.67	0.13
Double IPA Total		0.02	0.54	0.09	2.7	0.14
Imperial IPA	Aroma	–	0.4	0.02	2.02	0.19
	Bittering	0.04	0.8	0.2	4	0.21
	Dry Hop	0.04	0.6	0.19	3	0.17
	Flavor	0.05	0.18	0.23	0.91	0.1
	Whirlpool	0.08	0.31	0.39	1.54	0.14
Imperial IPA Total		–	0.8	0.02	4	0.18

Style Name	Brewing Stage	Min of Grams per liter	Max of Grams per liter	Min of Grams per batch [20ltr]	Max of Grams per batch [20ltr]	Average of Grams per liter
American IPA	Aroma	0.13	5.99	2.66	119.83	1.14
	Bittering	0.08	3	1.66	59.91	0.94
	Dry Hop	0.29	9.8	5.76	195.92	1.65
	First Wort	0.06	4.49	1.15	89.87	0.75
	Flavor	0.08	3	1.66	59.91	0.85
	Hopback	0.6	4.17	12	83.33	1.93
	Mash	0.25	0.75	5	14.98	0.52
	Whirlpool	0.22	10.89	4.35	217.87	1.39
American IPA Total		0.06	10.89	1.15	217.87	1.15
New England IPA	Aroma	0.34	4.74	6.81	94.86	1.19
	Bittering	0.04	1.36	0.87	27.23	0.65
	Dry Hop	0.53	5.87	10.7	117.39	1.95
	First Wort	0.03	1.34	0.61	26.9	0.36
	Flavor	0.37	1.5	7.49	29.96	0.75
	Whirlpool	0.38	5.99	7.69	119.83	1.73
New England IPA Total		0.03	5.99	0.61	119.83	1.34
American Pale Ale	Aroma	0.24	2.96	4.76	59.17	0.91
	Bittering	0.13	4	2.61	80	0.69
	Dry Hop	0.39	4.99	7.88	99.86	1.91
	First Wort	0.1	1.36	1.92	27.23	0.43
	Flavor	0.24	2.67	4.71	53.33	0.81
	Whirlpool	0.29	4.99	5.71	99.86	1.86
American Pale Ale Total		0.1	4.99	1.92	99.86	0.95
Double IPA	Aroma	0.22	4.05	4.35	81	1.28
	Bittering	0.22	1.87	4.35	37.45	1.03
	Dry Hop	0.34	2.72	6.81	54.47	1.18
	First Wort	0.33	1.77	6.67	35.4	1.02
	Flavor	0.22	2.5	4.35	49.93	0.92
	Whirlpool	0.14	2.5	2.72	49.93	0.99
Double IPA Total		0.14	4.05	2.72	81	1.08
Imperial IPA	Aroma	0.03	3.02	0.57	60.4	1.43
	Bittering	0.3	5.99	6.04	119.83	1.55
	Dry Hop	0.29	4.49	5.83	89.87	1.27
	Flavor	0.34	1.36	6.81	27.23	0.77
	Whirlpool	0.58	2.3	11.67	46.09	1.04
Imperial IPA Total		0.03	5.99	0.57	119.83	1.32

*This data consists of hundreds of thousands of manually input recipes and, despite best efforts, they may contain errors leading to very high max amounts, or be someone’s attempt for experimental brew. You should consider this data more as an overview of how different ingredients were used for different styles to get inspiration. Please do not attempt to add up different lines as it’s all about proportions.

Hop Pairings: Finding Apollo’s Best Bud

Finding the perfect match for Apollo hops might seem daunting, but have no fear. This hop variety plays well with others, especially when aiming for complexity in your beer. Mix Apollo with hops like Cascade or Citra to get that delightful citrus vibe.

If you’re bold, try blending with Aussie or NZ hops for something exotic.

Think of them as Apollo’s best buds that bring out its true personality in your brew. In recipes, Apollo should be the strong, silent type, while its pals do the chatty work for aromas and flavors.

Hop Substitutions: Which Variety Can Step Up

First up, we’ve got the dynamic duo of Cascade and Centennial. These citrusy superstars can bring that grapefruit zing that Apollo’s known for, but with their own twist of floral flair. It’s like throwing a flavor fiesta in your fermenter.

Looking for a variety that can provide similar bitterness?

Why not give Magnum or Columbus a shot? These high-alpha acid heroes can step up to the plate and deliver that clean bitterness Apollo’s famous for. It’s like swapping your trusty sidekick for a super-powered ally.

Global Hoppiness: Apollo Around the World

Apollo hops are like the rock stars of the bittering world, boldly going into brew pots across the globe. They deliver a punchy performance that leaves you – and beer lovers everywhere – thirsting for more.

US Born, Universe Approved

Hey friend, let’s talk Apollo. Your hop hero from the US that’s jamming in breweries worldwide. This American native isn’t just about that bitter baseline; it’s all about how much boom you can get per acre. In the States, yields are head-bangin’ good.

Cranking out nearly 2990 pounds per acre. That’s a whole lot of bitter for your buck!

It’s like Apollo doesn’t really care where it grows; give it soil, and it’ll thrive, ready to amp up your beer with its earthy, spicy tunes. Brewers from Portland to Prague have tuned into this, so don’t be surprised if you catch this hop headlining in a craft beer near you.

Remember, if life gives you Apollo hops, you make beer.

And not just any beer. Go for a style that loves a good bitter twist, like an IPA or a pale ale, and let those high alpha acids do their face-melting solo. Cheers to Apollo, the hop that’s out of this world!

Damian

A lifelong learner, hop enthusiast and a lover of the state of extreme exhaustion.

Finance Analyst in the Investment Bank and co-founder of hopsmatcher.com