Endeavour Hops

Endeavour Hops: The Secret Sauce for a Perfect Pint

Reading Time: around 10 min

If you’re eager to sass up your home brew with a dash of British charm, Endeavour hops might just be your ticket to a hoppy paradise. Born out of a cross between the bold Cascade and a mysterious British hedgerow variety…

…these hops have swaggered onto the brewing scene.

With a suitcase full of blackcurrant, lemon, and a twist of spice. From the humbling fields of Kent, England, Endeavour hops don’t just walk into a brew. They arrive with fanfare, flinging complex layers of flavor into the vat like a chef on a cooking show.

So, what’s the perfect beer style for this zesty little hop? 

You might have guessed IPA, and you’d be spot on, detective! But don’t pigeonhole our hoppy friend. Endeavour also prances quite happily into a New England IPA, Pale Ale, or even a Wheat Beer.

Leaving behind its audacious fruity and spicy fingerprint.

Think of Endeavour as that versatile friend who shows up to a potluck and can mingle with every dish on the table. Only this friend brings grapefruit zing and a blackcurrant backbeat to the flavor fiesta.

Key Takeaways

  • Endeavour hops introduce a bold fusion of fruit and spice to any brew.
  • IPAs and Pale Ales make splendid canvases for Endeavour’s complex profile.
  • Adventurous brewers can experiment with Endeavour in various beer styles.

 

The Birth of Endeavour Hops

Let me take you back to the start where the magic of Endeavour hops began. You’re about to discover a hop with a family tree more tangled than your earphones after a jog.

A Hop of Many Origins

Alright, you hop enthusiast, picture this. Endeavour hops are like the love child of a summer romance. They’re a plucky little hybrid that grabbed the best bits from parents as different as chalk and cheese. 

Think of them as the hop-world’s equivalent of a superhero. Where Cascade hops, famed for their citrus appeal, met the mysterious English hedgerow hop on a moonlit night.

  • Parentage:
    • Father: Cascade – Think zesty grapefruit vibes.
    • Mother: English Hedgerow – More blackcurrant and loganberry than an English summer pudding.

 

Bred with passion, Endeavour hops didn’t just come out swinging. They came out harmonizing. A melody of fruity flavors that’ll tingle your taste buds.

Finding Its Roots at Wye College

Grab your quills and take a note, my friend. 

Because Wye College in Kent is where our hop-hero started its journey. It wasn’t just any breeding program. The folks at Wye Hops Ltd., Dr. Peter Darby’s brainchild, brought these green beauties into the world back in 2002.

  • Location: Kent – The garden of England and hop-breeding heaven.
  • Breeding Participants: Bramling Cross and Pilgrim hops stood by as godparents. Cheering on from the sidelines.
  • Dwarf Variety: Yes, that’s right. These hops keep it low-key, literally. They’re not into towering above the rest.

 

So, when you’re pondering the origins of your next pint, tip your hat to Wye College. Where Endeavour was more than just a project. It was a hop revolution in baby steps. And trust me, drinking a beer with Endeavour hops…

…is like a fist bump from history itself.

Endeavour’s Brewing Profile

Hey, if you’re aiming to jazz up your homebrew with some seriously versatile hops…

…then Endeavour might just be your next best pal.

Main Characteristics

  • Purpose: Dual / Universal
  • Aromas: Black currant, Black berries, Grapefruit, Lime
  • Notes: Spices, Floral, Earthy, Citrus, Black Fruits
  • Alpha-acids: 6.0% – 10.5% [bitterness added through boiling]
  • Beta-acids: 3.8% – 5.5% [bitterness added through maturation]
  • Cohumulone: 30% – 36% of alpha-acids [bitterness profile: low = smooth, high = sharp]
  • Hops oil breakdown: 1.0 – 1.8 mL / 100g [responsible for flavors and aromas]
    • Myrcene: 27% – 37% [resinous, citrus, fruity]
    • Humulene: 3% – 10% [noble, woody, spicy]
    • Caryophyllene: no information
    • Farnesene: 5% – 8% [fresh, green, floral]
Endeavour Hops - graphic summary

Bittering and Aroma Capabilities

Endeavour is dual-purpose, meaning you’ve hit the jackpot because it’s great for both flavor and bitterness. With an alpha acid percentage typically ranging from 6% to 10%, it can pack a punch where needed. 

But wait, there’s more! Endeavour’s beta acids are usually around 4.5% to 5.5%, rounding out the bitterness with a touch of tranquility. Trust me, it’s like a Zen garden for your taste buds.

Hop Oils and Brewing Values

Speaking of aroma, let’s dive into the pool of hop oils. 

Endeavour’s total oil content rocks in at about 1.0 to 1.8 ml/100g. These oils are a cocktail of floral, citrusy, and spicy notes that are your ticket to an aroma carnival.

Imagine citrusy grapefruit and lime having a dance-off with spicy blackcurrant. While floral decorations set the stage. Yes, it’s a party in a hop cone.

Flavor Contributions and Balances

When it comes to flavor, Endeavour hops don’t just walk the walk. They talk the talk. With intricate layers of grapefruit and lime. And a whisper of English garden with blackcurrant and loganberry. Your beer will be storytelling with every sip.

This hop knows how to balance a melody of flavors without overpowering the mic.

Think of it as the backup singer that might just steal the show.

Implementing Endeavour in Beer Styles

Alright, my brewing aficionado, Endeavour hops are versatile with a capital “V”. Packed with a fruity punch and the right amount of bitterness. Be sure they’ll make your homebrew sing.

Harmonizing with Ales

When you partner Endeavour with an Ale, think of it as duet where both the hop and the beer style are trying to out-sing each other. But in a good way. These hops throw in a lively mix of blackcurrant and a hint of spicy lemon…

…that makes Ales burst with flavor.

Lacing Up Lagers

Now, with Lagers, Endeavour hops are like that twist of lime you add on a sunny day. It just makes everything better. Subtle yet significant, the hop’s grapefruit note will lace up your Lager with a zesty edge that’s hard to resist.

IPAs and Endeavour: A Juicy Partnership

Mixing IPA and Endeavour hops? It’s like a dance-off between fruity flavors and the hop’s bittering moxie. You’ll end up with an IPA that’s so fruit-forward, it could probably start its own orchard. 

Look out for that juicy grapefruit and lime tango!

The Universal Pale Ale and More

Let’s talk Pale Ales. Endeavour is the buddy that turns a good Pale Ale into a great one. Simply by pitching in just enough blackcurrant and spice without hogging the limelight. Need more? Toss in some Endeavour for any beer craving that berry-like zing.

Remember, beer styles and Endeavour hops go together better than PB&J.

But with a better buzz.

Endeavour Hops in Brewing Process

Buckle up, my friend, because you’re about to become the Endeavour hops whisperer. Their unique profile is about to make your brew day a lot more intriguing.

Boiling Down to the Basics

Dive into the boil, and let’s unleash those flavors. Endeavour hops, your new secret weapon, are a dual-purpose hop. Meaning you can use them for aroma and bittering. 

Drop them in early, and you’ll get a bitterness that’s smoother than a jazz saxophonist. With less of that tongue-curling bite than their relative Cascade. Thanks to their British heritage, Endeavour hops also give you a well-rounded flavor.

A harmony of grapefruit, lime, and floral.

If you decide to drop them in later in the boil.

Here are some specifics:

  • Brew Stage: Boiling
  • Temperature: Hotter than the latest celebrity gossip
  • Duration: Entire boil for bitterness, last 15 minutes for flavor
  • Flavor Profile: Citrusy, spicy, with a polite British blackcurrant nod
Endeavour Hops Beers

Dry Hopping the Details

If you want the aroma to hit you like a pillow fight – all fun and no pain – dry hopping with Endeavour is your ticket to the big leagues. This stage is like aroma therapy for beer. Sprinkle these hops post-fermentation. 

And let those complex aroma notes of loganberry and spice…

…do the tango with your olfactory senses.

When dry hopping, keep in mind:

  • When: After fermentation
  • Temperature: Cooler than an unflappable secret agent
  • Amount: To taste, but don’t go overboard unless you want to make a statement
  • Usage: Best for enhancing aroma without the bitterness baggage

 

Remember to keep it snappy, and don’t drown your beer in hops. 

Unless you want it to come out smelling like a fruit market.

Hopping Amounts and Stages

Brewmaster’s log, stardate… hold up, scratch that. This isn’t the USS Enterprise, it’s your home brewery. And we’re about to boldly go where no hop has gone before with Endeavour. The British hop that’s more mysterious…

…than Sherlock Holmes’s internet history.

First up, let’s talk British IPA, the ale with more balance than a cat on a unicycle. Endeavour hops in a British IPA are like a stiff upper lip: essential. You’ll want to drop in a cheeky ounce at the start of the boil.

Which is 60 minutes if you’re not watching the clock with a pint in hand.

But don’t wander off to the pub just yet! With 15 minutes left on the clock, it’s time to chuck in another half-ounce to full ounce. This is the hop equivalent of a double-decker bus. It’s big, it’s bold, and it’s unmistakably British.

Now, let’s switch gears to an ESB, Extra Special Bitter that is. The beer that’s as comforting as a cuppa tea on a rainy London afternoon. Endeavour hops here are like the perfect umbrella. They’ve got you covered. 

Start with a cozy ounce at the 60-minute mark.

To build a bitterness that’s as reliable as the Queen’s corgis.

As the end of the boil approaches, with about 15 minutes to go, toss in another quarter to half-ounce. This late addition is like the last biscuit in the tin. You know you want it, and it’s going to be delightful.

And because we’re all about making a good thing even better, let’s dry hop with a half-ounce. It’s like adding a dash of clotted cream to your scone. It just makes everything more scrumptious.

Creative Combinations with Endeavour

Before you dive into the brewpot, know that Endeavour hops are like the swiss army knife in your hop arsenal. They’re chameleons in the world of beer, ready to mingle with flavors that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Blending Flavours with Other Varieties

When you’re brewing, think of Endeavour as your wingman. It pairs with Citra for a citrusy kick. Tangoes with Simcoe for that fruity twist. And waltzes with Mosaic for a complex dance of berry and tropical notes. 

Remember, Galaxy and Vic Secret from Down Under can add a cosmic punch.

While Chinook and Centennial are like the old-school chums that never let you down.

  • Citrus Comrades: Citra, Amarillo, Centennial
  • Berry Buddies: Simcoe, Mosaic
  • Tropical Team-up: Galaxy, Vic Secret
  • Old-School Pals: Chinook, Styrian Goldings

 

Experimenting with Endeavour

Hey, you’re the mad scientist of suds here. So why not stir up some alchemy with Endeavour’s blackcurrant and spice? Imagine crafting an Ale that’s as complex as a Rubik’s Cube.

Or a Lager that’s smoother than the moves you’ve got on the dance floor. Endeavour’s got that fruity zest without being overbearing. Making your Ale or Lager the talk of the town.

  • Fruity Ale: Add Endeavour during the last 10 minutes for a bold kick.
  • Smooth Lager: Balance bitterness and aroma with a touch of Endeavour.

 

Swapping Hops: Substitutions Made Easy

Sometimes, life throws you a curveball and Endeavour’s out of reach. No sweat! Sub in Cascade for that grapefruit vibe, or Centennial for a floral flourish. If you’re feeling adventurous, Enigma could be your mystery date.

Offering a similar profile with an exotic twist. 

Hop substitutions are like a choose-your-own-adventure book.

Go wild, but keep it classy. #wordsofwisdom

  • Cascade: The citrusy cousin with grapefruit flair.
  • Centennial: The floral friend with a hint of citrus.
  • Enigma: The mysterious match with a dash of the unknown.

 

You’re not just brewing beer, you’re choreographing a hoppy ballet in every pint!

So grab those Endeavour hops and let’s make a brew that’s as epic as a British rock anthem. We’re not just making beer. We’re crafting a hoppy homage to the land of Shakespeare and The Beatles. 

Here’s to the hop that’s as adventurous as a night out in London. Let’s brew a batch that’s as memorable as that one time you tried to cook a full English breakfast after a night out. 

Picture of Damian

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