Comet Hops: A Stellar Journey Through Hoppy Space Brews

Reading Time: around 11 min

Comet hops are a hidden gem in the brewing world. You might not have heard of them, but they’re about to rock your beer-loving socks off. These little green cones pack a punch with their wild American grassy notes and grapefruit zing.

Comet hops shine brightest in American Pale Ales, IPAs, and even some lagers.

Adding a refreshing and vibrant character to your brew.

Ever dreamed of sipping on a beer that tastes like ruby red grapefruit? Well, dream no more! Comet hops can make that a reality. They’re like the cool kid at the hop party, bringing a unique blend of citrus and spice to the table. And the best part?

You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to use them in your homebrewing adventures.

So, are you ready to take your taste buds on a cosmic journey? Buckle up, because we’re about to blast off into the flavorful universe of Comet hops. Trust me, your beer will thank you for this stellar addition.

Key Takeaways

Comet hops bring unique grapefruit and grassy flavors to your brew
They’re versatile enough for various beer styles, from pale ales to lagers
You can easily experiment with Comet hops in your homebrewing recipes

Comet Hops Crash Course

Buckle up, hop enthusiasts! We’re about to blast off into the world of Comet hops.

This celestial variety packs a punch with its bold flavors and versatile brewing potential.

Astronomical Origins and History

Picture this: It’s 1961, and while space race fever grips the nation, hop breeders are busy creating their own star. Enter Comet hops, born from a cosmic collision of English and wild American hops. These little green wonders hit the market in 1974.

Ready to shake up the brewing scene.

But like a fading comet, they nearly vanished in the 80s. Why? Super alpha hops stole the spotlight. Don’t fret, though! Comet made a comeback when craft brewers rediscovered its out-of-this-world potential.

Today, you’ll find Comet thriving in Washington’s Yakima Valley.

Proving that sometimes the brightest stars make a second pass.

Main Characteristics

Purpose: Dual / Universal
Aromas: Grapefruit, Grassy, Dank Resin, Stone Fruit, Citrus
Notes: Apricot, Pineapple, Tropical, Black Currant, Spice
Alpha-acids: 8.0% – 12.5% [bitterness added through boiling]
Beta-acids: 3.0% – 6.0% [bitterness added through maturation]
Cohumulone: 34% – 45% of alpha-acids [bitterness profile: low = smooth, high = sharp]
Hops oil breakdown: 1.0 – 2.0 mL / 100g [responsible for flavors and aromas]
- Myrcene: 40% – 65% [resinous, citrus, fruity]
- Humulene: 1% – 2% [noble, woody, spicy]
- Caryophyllene: 5% – 15% [spicy, piney, herbal]
- Farnesene: 0% – 1% [fresh, green, floral]

Galactic Chemistry: Alphas, Betas, and Oils

Let’s geek out on some hop science, shall we? Comet’s got a chemical makeup that’ll make your taste buds do backflips:

Alpha acids: 8-12.5% (Hello, bitterness!)
Beta acids: 3-6% (Stability’s sidekick)
Oils: Packed with myrcene, humulene, and caryophyllene

What does this mean for your brew? You’re getting a hop that can bitter like a champ but also bring layers of flavor to the party. It’s like having a versatile weapon in your hop arsenal.

The real magic happens in the flavor department. Imagine biting into a grapefruit while standing in a pine dank forest. That’s Comet for you – citrusy, earthy, and oh-so-refreshing.

Brewing Beyond Our Atmosphere: Usage

Ready to launch Comet into your next batch? Here’s how to make it shine:

Bittering: Its high alpha acids make Comet perfect for adding a crisp bite to your brew.
- The only glitch? Rather sharp profile due to high cohumulone.
Late additions: Toss it in near the end of the boil to unleash those citrus and grass notes.
Dry hopping: Want to amp up the aroma? Comet’s got your back.

Comet plays well with others, so don’t be shy about mixing it up. Try it in American Pale Ales for a zesty twist, or go bold with an IPA that’ll knock your socks off.

Remember, a little goes a long way. Start with smaller amounts and adjust to your taste. Before you know it, you’ll be brewing beers that are truly out of this world!

Crafting the Universal Beer Manual

Ready to explore the cosmic realm of Comet hops? Strap in as we blast off through the beer universe. Discovering how this stellar hop variety can elevate your brews to intergalactic heights.

Another Dimension: American and Pale Ales

Comet hops are your ticket to crafting out-of-this-world American and Pale Ales. Their citrusy punch and grassy notes will make your taste buds do backflips. Imagine sipping a brew that’s bursting with grapefruit zest and a hint of wild meadows.

That’s the Comet magic! But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.

Sometimes you might get that wild american profile if you’re not careful.

You still want to brew an American Pale Ale that’ll have your friends begging for more? Toss in some Comet hops during the last 15 minutes of the boil. You’ll get a flavor explosion that’s fresher than a moonwalk.

For an extra flavor boost, try dry-hopping with Comet.

It’s like adding rocket fuel to your beer’s aroma.

Wheat Beers: The Extraterrestrial Grasslands

Who says wheat beers can’t be exciting? With Comet hops, you’ll turn your american wheat beer into a flavor spaceship. The grassy notes of Comet pair beautifully with the soft, bready character of wheat.

Imagine sipping a wheat beer that tastes like a summer day in an alien meadow. That’s what you get when you add Comet to the mix. It’s like your taste buds are taking a vacation on Mars!

Try using Comet as a late addition in your wheat beer recipe. You’ll get a subtle hop flavor that doesn’t overpower the delicate wheat. It’s the perfect balance of earthy and refreshing.

The Lupulin Probe: IPA Encounters

IPAs and Comet hops? It’s a match made in hop heaven! The high alpha acid content of Comet makes it perfect for bittering your IPA. But a) don’t overdo it and b) don’t stop there – this hop’s got flavor for days.

Use Comet throughout your IPA brew for a citrusy, dank experience that’ll have hop heads swooning. It’s like a grapefruit decided to party with some pine trees. Delicious!

For a truly cosmic IPA, try pairing Comet with other citrusy hops like Citra or Galaxy. You’ll create a hop profile that’s more complex than quantum physics – and way tastier.

Lagers: The Cool Side of the Universe

Think Comet hops are just for ales? Think again! These versatile little cones can add a surprising twist to your lagers. Their solid bitterness and subtle fruity notes can elevate a plain lager to new heights.

Try using Comet sparingly for bittering in your next Pilsner. You’ll get a crisp, punchy bitterness that’s perfect for those hot summer days. It’s like drinking a refreshing starlight breeze.

Feeling adventurous? Use a small dry hop addition of Comet in your lager. You’ll add a hint of citrus and tropical aroma that’ll make your lager stand out from the crowd. It’s subtle, but oh-so-tasty.

Cosmic Pairing: Hops Meeting Malt in the Vast Emptiness

Ready for a stellar beer journey? Comet hops are about to collide with malt in your brew kettle, creating flavors that are out of this world. Let’s explore how to make these cosmic ingredients play nice together.

The Big Crunch: Choosing the Right Malt for Comet Hops

You’ll want to pick malts that can handle Comet’s bold personality. Think of it like finding the right dance partner for a space disco. Pale ale malt is your go-to wingman here. It’s got enough backbone to support Comet’s zesty grapefruit punch without stealing the show.

Feeling adventurous?

Toss in some crystal malt for a touch of sweetness. It’s like adding a sprinkle of stardust to balance out Comet’s earthy vibes. Just don’t go overboard – you don’t want your beer tasting like a candy shop in zero gravity.

The Flavor Continuum: Balancing Bitterness and Bouquet

Now, let’s talk about the tightrope walk of bitter and aroma. Comet’s got a respectable alpha acid content of 8-12.5%, so it can bring the bitter if you want it to. But here’s a pro tip: save some for dry hopping to really let those citrus and stone fruit notes shine.

Want to make a beer that’s smoother than a moonwalk?

Use Comet for late additions or whirlpool hops. You’ll get all that juicy flavor without turning your brew into a bitter space rock. Remember, the key is balance – like keeping your spacecraft level while zooming through an asteroid field.

Universal Alechemy: The Art of Brewing with Comet

Comet hops are your ticket to celestial brews. These little green cones pack a punch of citrus and resin that’ll make your taste buds do backflips. Let’s dive into the cosmic craft of brewing with Comet.

Summoning the Hop Spirits: Techniques and Traditions

Ready to conjure up some hop magic? Comet’s got your back. For bittering, toss in 0.5-1 oz per 5 gallons at 60 minutes. Want flavor? Add 1-2 oz at 15 minutes. Aroma fiends, drop 2-3 oz at flameout or dry hop with 2-4 oz for 3-5 days.

Comet shines in IPAs, pale ales, and even lagers. Try this hop schedule for a juicy IPA:

0.5 oz at 60 min (bittering)
1 oz at 15 min (flavor)
2 oz at flameout (aroma)
3 oz dry hop for 5 days

Boom! You’ve just summoned the hop spirits.

Just be careful as the aromas might take the form of the infamous wild american profile.

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	0.01	0.91	0.05	4.55	0.17
	Bittering	0.01	0.64	0.06	3.19	0.17
	Dry Hop	0.01	1.03	0.04	5.16	0.27
	First Wort	0.03	0.83	0.14	4.17	0.18
	Flavor	0.02	0.83	0.11	4.17	0.15
	Hopback	0.13	0.44	0.64	2.22	0.3
	Whirlpool	0.01	1.82	0.04	9.09	0.27
American IPA Total		0.01	1.82	0.04	9.09	0.21
American Pale Ale	Aroma	0.03	1	0.13	5	0.2
	Bittering	0.03	0.64	0.16	3.18	0.13
	Dry Hop	–	0.8	–	4	0.28
	First Wort	0.02	0.1	0.11	0.5	0.07
	Flavor	0.05	0.36	0.25	1.79	0.14
	Whirlpool	0.08	0.94	0.4	4.7	0.28
American Pale Ale Total		–	1	–	5	0.2
New England IPA	Aroma	0.03	0.44	0.15	2.22	0.2
	Bittering	0.04	0.13	0.18	0.63	0.08
	Dry Hop	0.07	1	0.33	5.01	0.32
	First Wort	0.04	0.2	0.21	1	0.11
	Flavor	0.06	0.3	0.28	1.52	0.22
	Hopback	0.31	0.6	1.55	2.99	0.42
	Whirlpool	0.07	0.59	0.33	2.96	0.23
New England IPA Total		0.03	1	0.15	5.01	0.25
Double IPA	Aroma	0.09	0.36	0.43	1.8	0.19
	Dry Hop	0.05	0.8	0.23	4	0.32
	Flavor	0.09	0.2	0.45	1	0.12
	Whirlpool	0.09	0.91	0.45	4.55	0.28
Double IPA Total		0.05	0.91	0.23	4.55	0.25
Blonde Ale	Aroma	0.07	0.22	0.36	1.12	0.14
	Bittering	0.04	0.1	0.19	0.52	0.08
	Dry Hop	0.18	0.5	0.9	2.5	0.26
	Flavor	0.04	0.14	0.18	0.72	0.07
Blonde Ale Total		0.04	0.5	0.18	2.5	0.12
American Light Lager	Aroma	0.06	0.4	0.29	2.02	0.16
	Bittering	0.02	0.18	0.08	0.91	0.1
	Dry Hop	0.36	0.59	1.82	2.94	0.5
	Flavor	0.03	0.58	0.15	2.89	0.21
	Whirlpool	0.04	0.36	0.19	1.82	0.19
American Light Lager Total		0.02	0.59	0.08	2.94	0.19

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	0.07	6.81	1.43	136.17	1.27
	Bittering	0.08	4.78	1.67	95.65	1.25
	Dry Hop	0.06	7.73	1.25	154.68	1.99
	First Wort	0.21	6.24	4.28	124.82	1.35
	Flavor	0.17	6.24	3.33	124.82	1.12
	Hopback	0.96	3.33	19.13	66.57	2.26
	Whirlpool	0.06	13.62	1.25	272.33	2.04
American IPA Total		0.06	13.62	1.25	272.33	1.58
American Pale Ale	Aroma	0.2	7.49	4	149.78	1.48
	Bittering	0.24	4.76	4.76	95.24	0.97
	Dry Hop	–	5.99	0.03	119.83	2.08
	First Wort	0.16	0.75	3.24	15	0.51
	Flavor	0.37	2.68	7.41	53.6	1.02
	Whirlpool	0.61	7.04	12.13	140.87	2.07
American Pale Ale Total		–	7.49	0.03	149.78	1.47
New England IPA	Aroma	0.22	3.33	4.42	66.57	1.52
	Bittering	0.27	0.94	5.35	18.72	0.62
	Dry Hop	0.5	7.5	9.99	150	2.4
	First Wort	0.31	1.5	6.24	29.96	0.82
	Flavor	0.42	2.27	8.32	45.39	1.59
	Hopback	2.32	4.48	46.32	89.55	3.18
	Whirlpool	0.5	4.44	9.99	88.76	1.74
New England IPA Total		0.22	7.5	4.42	150	1.87
Double IPA	Aroma	0.65	2.69	13.02	53.8	1.39
	Dry Hop	0.34	5.99	6.81	119.83	2.4
	Flavor	0.68	1.5	13.62	29.96	0.89
	Whirlpool	0.68	6.81	13.62	136.17	2.11
Double IPA Total		0.34	6.81	6.81	136.17	1.85
Blonde Ale	Aroma	0.54	1.68	10.71	33.57	1.05
	Bittering	0.29	0.77	5.76	15.46	0.59
	Dry Hop	1.35	3.74	26.92	74.89	1.96
	Flavor	0.26	1.09	5.28	21.71	0.54
Blonde Ale Total		0.26	3.74	5.28	74.89	0.91
American Light Lager	Aroma	0.44	3.03	8.81	60.61	1.19
	Bittering	0.12	1.36	2.5	27.23	0.72
	Dry Hop	2.72	4.4	54.47	88	3.73
	Flavor	0.22	4.33	4.41	86.65	1.59
	Whirlpool	0.29	2.72	5.71	54.47	1.4
American Light Lager Total		0.12	4.4	2.5	88	1.41

*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.

Orbiting Olfactory Orbs: Aroma and Flavor Mastery

Your nose is about to take a trip to flavor town. Comet hops bring a grapefruit punch that’ll make you pucker up and ask for more. But wait, there’s more! You’ll catch whiffs of tangerine, lemongrass, and even a hint of dank resin.

In the flavor department, Comet doesn’t mess around. It’s like biting into a grapefruit while standing in a pine forest. The citrus zing dances with earthy notes, creating a taste explosion in your mouth.

Want to amp up the tropical vibes? Pair Comet with Galaxy or Citra hops. You’ll create a fruit salad in a glass that’ll have your friends begging for the recipe.

The Celestial Body of Beer: Appearance and Mouthfeel

Comet hops aren’t just about flavor – they’re eye candy too. In an IPA, they’ll give you a hazy, golden glow that looks like liquid sunshine in your glass. Hold it up to the light and watch it sparkle like a distant star.

The mouthfeel? Can be quite harsh, but also very tasty.

Comet’s alpha acids provide a sharp bitterness that might scrape your tongue like sandpaper. Use it sparingly and it’s just enough to balance out the malt sweetness and keep you coming back for more.

Pro tip: For a silky mouthfeel, mash at a higher temp (154-156°F) and consider adding some oats or wheat to your grain bill. Your beer will be smoother than a astronaut’s pickup line.

Navigating Through The Comet Hop Nebula

Comet hops pack a punch with their bold grapefruit and citrus notes. Let’s explore some stellar hop pairings and substitutes that’ll make your brews shine brighter than a supernova.

Star Clusters: Other Hops That Gaze Together

Want to create a hop galaxy in your beer? Try pairing Comet with these cosmic companions:

Citra: A match made in heaven! These two will give your brew a citrus explosion.
Galaxy: Take your beer on an intergalactic journey with tropical fruit flavors.
Amarillo: Add some tangerine zest to complement Comet’s grapefruit kick.
Columbus: Spice things up with a dank, earthy twist.

Mix and match these hop combos in your next brew. You’ll create flavor profiles that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance!

When Comet Shot Out to the Stars: Substitutions

Can’t get your hands on Comet hops? No worries! These alternatives will keep your brew on track:

Summit: Similar grapefruit notes with a touch of tangerine.
Chinook: Brings pine and grapefruit to the party.
Cascade: A classic citrus-pine combo that won’t let you down.

Remember, each hop has its own personality. You might need to adjust your recipe a bit. Play around with amounts and timing to nail that perfect flavor profile you’re after.

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