Horizon Hops and Best Styles: Hopping Mad for the Perfect Pint

Reading Time: around 11 min

Hop lovers, gather ’round! Let’s talk about Horizon hops, the unsung heroes of the brewing world. These little green gems pack a punch with their dual-purpose prowess. Horizon hops shine in ales and red ales, offering a perfect balance of bitterness and aroma.

You’ll find hints of floral, citrus, and spicy notes dancing on your taste buds.

Want to brew like a pro? Horizon hops are your secret weapon. With an alpha acid content of 9-14%, they’re not messing around. These hops bring the perfect amount of bite to your brew without overpowering it. Plus, their subtle earthiness plays well with others.

Making them a versatile choice for your beer experiments.

Feeling adventurous? Try Horizon hops in a light lager or a hefeweizen. They’re like the cool kid at school who gets along with everyone. So grab your brewing gear and get ready to take your beer game to new horizons!

Key Takeaways

Horizon hops excel in ales and red ales, offering balanced bitterness and aroma
They have a 9-14% alpha acid content, perfect for adding just the right bite to your brew
These versatile hops work well in various styles, from light lagers to hefeweizens

The Rise of Horizon Hops

Horizon hops burst onto the brewing scene with a unique blend of flavors and aromas that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance. Let’s dive into the story of this hop superstar and see why brewers can’t get enough of it.

History and Origin

Picture this: It’s 1970, and hop breeders at Oregon State University are playing matchmaker with hop plants. They cross some fancy varieties and boom! Horizon is born. But like a shy teenager, it takes its sweet time to come out of its shell.

Fast forward to 1998, and Horizon finally makes its grand debut in the brewing world.

Horizon’s family tree is pretty impressive. It’s half-sister to the famous Nugget hop and has some royal hop blood from Brewer’s Gold and Early Green. Talk about hop royalty! This pedigree gives Horizon its special qualities that make brewers weak in the knees.

Characteristics and Aroma Profile

Now, let’s talk about what makes Horizon hops the life of the beer party. First off, it’s a dual-purpose hop, which means it’s ike your favorite team’s MVP. You can use it for bittering or aroma – it’s that versatile!

Horizon’s aroma is like a walk through a garden on a sunny day.

Purpose: Dual / Universal
Aromas: Floral, Citrus, Spicy
Notes: Earthy
Alpha-acids: 9.0% – 14.0% [bitterness added through boiling]
Beta-acids: 5.5% – 8.5% [bitterness added through maturation]
Cohumulone: 16% – 22% of alpha-acids [bitterness profile: low = smooth, high = sharp]
Hops oil breakdown: 1.0 – 2.5 mL / 100g [responsible for flavors and aromas]
- Myrcene: 45% – 65% [resinous, citrus, fruity]
- Humulene: 8% – 20% [noble, woody, spicy]
- Caryophyllene: 8% – 14% [spicy, piney, herbal]
- Farnesene: 3% – 5% [fresh, green, floral]

But here’s the kicker: Horizon has one of the lowest cohumulone levels of available varieties. What does that mean for you? Smooth bitterness that won’t make your face pucker like you’ve sucked on a lemon.

Horizon Vs. Other Hop Varieties

You might be wondering, “How does Horizon stack up against other hops?”

Well, let me break it down for you.

Horizon’s balanced profile makes it a crowd-pleaser. While some hops are one-trick ponies, Horizon can handle everything from light lagers to bold ales. It’s like the chameleon of the hop world, blending in perfectly with whatever style you’re brewing.

So next time you’re crafting a brew, give Horizon a shot. Your taste buds will thank you, and your brewing buddies will be begging for your secret. Who knows, you might just start a Horizon hop revolution in your neighborhood!

Bitterness and Aroma: The Dynamic Duo

Horizon hops bring a one-two punch of bitterness and aroma to your brew. Let’s dive into the science behind their flavor magic and how they can make your beer shine.

Understanding Alpha and Beta Acids

Alpha acids are the bitter bosses in your beer. Horizon hops pack a punch with 9-14% alpha acids. That’s enough to add a nice bite without overwhelming your taste buds.

Beta acids play a supporting role.

They’re like the sidekick to alpha’s superhero. In Horizon hops, beta acids make up about 5.5-8.5%. This balance gives your beer a smooth bitterness that won’t make you pucker.

Want to geek out? The alpha to beta ratio in Horizon is roughly 1.5:1. This makes them versatile for bittering and aroma. You can use them early in the boil for bitterness or late for flavor and aroma.

Cohumulone: The Bitter Friend

Cohumulone is the troublemaker of the hop world. It can make beer taste harsh if there’s too much. But don’t worry! Horizon hops have your back.

Horizon boasts at the lowest cohumulone levels there are. We’re talking a mere 16-22% of total alpha acids. This is great news for your beer. It means a smoother, less aggressive bitterness.

Low cohumulone makes Horizon perfect for styles where you want bitterness without the bite. Think English bitters or American pale ales. Your taste buds will thank you for the clean, pleasant bitterness.

The Perfect Match: Beer Styles for Horizon Hops

Horizon hops are like that friend who gets along with everyone. They’re versatile, easy-going, and always ready to party. Let’s explore which beer styles bring out the best in these floral and spicy beauties.

Pale Ale Paradise

Pale ales and Horizon hops? It’s a match made in beer heaven! These hops shine in American Pale Ales, giving them a crisp bitterness and subtle floral notes. Want to brew a killer APA? Toss in some Horizon hops at the start of the boil for bitterness.

Then add more near the end for aroma.

Try this combo:

60-minute addition: 0.5 oz Horizon
15-minute addition: 0.5 oz Horizon
5-minute addition: 1 oz Horizon

Your pale ale will have a clean, balanced bitterness with hints of citrus and spice.

It’s like a flavor fiesta in your mouth!

Lager Land

Don’t let anyone tell you Horizon hops can’t hang with lagers. They’re perfect for adding a touch of spice to your crisp, clean brews. American-style lagers love a bit of Horizon action.

For a refreshing lager:

Add 0.5 oz at 60 minutes for bittering
Toss in 0.25 oz at 15 minutes for flavor
Finish with 0.25 oz at flameout for aroma

You’ll get a subtle floral bouquet that won’t overpower your lager’s delicate malt profile.

It’s like a gentle hop hug for your taste buds.

The Dark Side: Ales and Stouts

Think Horizon hops are just for light beers? Think again! These versatile little cones can add depth to your darker brews too. In a robust porter or American stout, Horizon hops bring a spicy counterpoint to roasty malts.

Try this in your next dark ale:

1 oz at 60 minutes for bittering
0.5 oz at 10 minutes for flavor
0.75 oz at flameout for aroma

The result? A complex brew with layers of flavor. It’s like a cozy sweater for your palate.

Warm, comforting, and just a bit spicy.

A Brewmaster’s Guide to Using Horizon Hops

Ready to hop into the world of Horizon? This versatile hop variety can elevate your brews from meh to marvelous. Let’s explore how to make the most of its smooth bitterness and subtle aromas.

Brewing Values and Oil Content

Horizon hops pack a punch with 9-14% alpha acids. That’s your ticket to balanced bitterness in a range of styles. But wait, there’s more! The oil content is where the magic happens:

Myrcene: 45-65%
Humulene: 8-20%
Caryophyllene: 8-14%

These oils give your beer subtle earthy, citrus, spicy and floral notes. Think of it as nature’s perfume for your pint. Use Horizon for bittering, and you’ll get that smooth bitterness without overpowering your brew.

Optimizing Flavor and Aroma

Want to make your beer shine? Here’s how to squeeze every drop of goodness from Horizon hops in a 5-gallon batch:

Bittering: Add 0.5-1 oz at 60 minutes
Flavor: Toss in 0.5 oz at 15 minutes
Aroma: Try 1 oz at flame-out or 1-2 oz for dry hop

Mix it up with Cascade or Centennial for a flavor explosion. Horizon plays well with others, like a good wingman for your beer. It’s perfect for American Pale Ales, IPAs, and even lagers. Don’t be afraid to experiment – your taste buds will thank you!

Tips for Home and Craft Brewers

Listen up, brew crew! Here’s how to become a Horizon hop hero:

Start simple: Use Horizon as your bittering hop in a classic American Pale Ale.
Get creative: Try a single-hop brew to really taste what Horizon can do.
Storage is key: Keep those hops cold and sealed to preserve their juicy goodness.

For a killer IPA, try this hop schedule:

1 oz at 60 min
0.5 oz at 15 min
1 oz at flame-out
1-2 oz dry hop for 5 days

Remember, brewing is an art and a science. Don’t be afraid to tweak recipes and find your own Horizon-inspired masterpiece. Now go forth and brew something amazing!

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	0.27	0.09	1.34	0.14
	Bittering	0.03	0.46	0.13	2.31	0.16
	Dry Hop	0.05	0.49	0.24	2.43	0.19
	First Wort	0.03	0.2	0.17	1	0.11
	Flavor	0.05	0.4	0.27	2	0.17
	Whirlpool	0.12	0.52	0.58	2.61	0.24
American IPA Total		0.02	0.52	0.09	2.61	0.16
American Pale Ale	Aroma	0.02	0.4	0.09	2	0.13
	Bittering	0.02	0.27	0.09	1.36	0.11
	Dry Hop	0.02	0.43	0.12	2.13	0.13
	First Wort	0.04	0.16	0.22	0.8	0.1
	Flavor	0.02	0.2	0.09	1	0.11
	Whirlpool	0.15	0.21	0.77	1.04	0.19
American Pale Ale Total		0.02	0.43	0.09	2.13	0.11
American Amber Ale	Aroma	0.07	0.36	0.33	1.82	0.15
	Bittering	0.03	0.38	0.13	1.9	0.13
	First Wort	0.03	0.11	0.13	0.56	0.08
	Flavor	0.04	0.36	0.22	1.82	0.16
American Amber Ale Total		0.03	0.38	0.13	1.9	0.13
American Stout	Aroma	0.08	0.36	0.4	1.82	0.18
	Bittering	0.05	0.4	0.25	2	0.19
	Flavor	0.08	0.21	0.42	1.05	0.13
American Stout Total		0.05	0.4	0.25	2	0.18
American Brown Ale	Aroma	0.02	0.02	0.09	0.1	0.02
	Bittering	0.05	0.18	0.27	0.89	0.09
	Flavor	0.09	0.18	0.44	0.91	0.14
American Brown Ale Total		0.02	0.18	0.09	0.91	0.09
Imperial Stout	Aroma	0.09	0.14	0.45	0.69	0.12
	Bittering	0.12	0.55	0.61	2.73	0.29
Imperial Stout Total		0.09	0.55	0.45	2.73	0.28
Saison	Aroma	0.09	0.16	0.47	0.81	0.13
	Bittering	0.04	0.13	0.18	0.64	0.09
	Flavor	0.1	0.18	0.48	0.91	0.13
Saison Total		0.04	0.18	0.18	0.91	0.11
Russian Imperial Stout	Aroma	0.2	0.2	1	1	0.2
	Bittering	0.09	0.47	0.45	2.34	0.28
	Flavor	0.18	0.2	0.91	1	0.19
Russian Imperial Stout Total		0.09	0.47	0.45	2.34	0.27

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	0.14	2	2.8	40	1.06
	Bittering	0.2	3.46	3.99	69.13	1.17
	Dry Hop	0.36	3.65	7.13	72.91	1.43
	First Wort	0.25	1.5	4.99	30.08	0.82
	Flavor	0.41	3	8.17	59.91	1.25
	Whirlpool	0.87	3.91	17.39	78.15	1.77
American IPA Total		0.14	3.91	2.8	78.15	1.19
American Pale Ale	Aroma	0.14	3	2.73	59.91	0.99
	Bittering	0.14	2.04	2.73	40.85	0.79
	Dry Hop	0.18	3.19	3.54	63.74	0.94
	First Wort	0.33	1.2	6.51	23.9	0.71
	Flavor	0.14	1.5	2.73	29.96	0.84
	Whirlpool	1.15	1.56	23.04	31.2	1.4
American Pale Ale Total		0.14	3.19	2.73	63.74	0.84
American Amber Ale	Aroma	0.5	2.72	10	54.47	1.14
	Bittering	0.19	2.85	3.87	57.06	0.98
	First Wort	0.19	0.83	3.87	16.64	0.57
	Flavor	0.33	2.72	6.67	54.47	1.22
American Amber Ale Total		0.19	2.85	3.87	57.06	1
American Stout	Aroma	0.6	2.72	12	54.47	1.34
	Bittering	0.37	3	7.49	59.91	1.45
	Flavor	0.62	1.58	12.48	31.53	1
American Stout Total		0.37	3	7.49	59.91	1.38
American Brown Ale	Aroma	0.14	0.14	2.72	2.88	0.14
	Bittering	0.41	1.33	8.17	26.67	0.68
	Flavor	0.67	1.36	13.31	27.23	1.02
American Brown Ale Total		0.14	1.36	2.72	27.23	0.67
Imperial Stout	Aroma	0.68	1.04	13.62	20.7	0.86
	Bittering	0.91	4.08	18.25	81.7	2.15
Imperial Stout Total		0.68	4.08	13.62	81.7	2.07
Saison	Aroma	0.7	1.21	14	24.21	1.02
	Bittering	0.26	0.96	5.26	19.23	0.67
	Flavor	0.72	1.36	14.4	27.23	0.94
Saison Total		0.26	1.36	5.26	27.23	0.79
Russian Imperial Stout	Aroma	1.5	1.5	29.96	29.96	1.5
	Bittering	0.68	3.5	13.62	70	2.1
	Flavor	1.36	1.5	27.23	29.96	1.43
Russian Imperial Stout Total		0.68	3.5	13.62	70	2.03

*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 to It: Additional Varieties

Let’s explore some hop buddies for Horizon and see how they stack up.

There’s a whole world of hoppy goodness out there waiting to tickle your taste buds.

Not All Hops Are Created Equal

Think of hops as the spice rack of brewing. Horizon’s your all-purpose seasoning, but sometimes you need a pinch of something else. Magnum hops are like Horizon’s brawny cousin – great for bittering when you want a punch.

Tettnanger brings a noble touch. Perfect for lagers.

And Willamette? It’s the mellow friend that plays nice with everyone.

Want to swap out Horizon? Try Columbus or Nugget for bittering. For aroma, Cascade or Centennial can pinch-hit. Mix and match to create your own hop cocktail!

Exploring Aroma and Bittering Hops

Hops aren’t just bitter pills – they’re flavor bombs waiting to explode in your brew. Horizon’s a jack-of-all-trades, but pairing it with other hops can take your beer from “meh” to “wow!”

For a citrus kick, add some Citra or Amarillo to your Horizon base. Feeling spicy? Throw in some Northern Brewer. Want to go full flower power? Pair with Cascade for a floral fiesta.

Remember, hop combos are like dance partners. Some work great together, others step on each other’s toes. Don’t be afraid to experiment – your taste buds will thank you!

Global Hop-troversy: Horizon’s Worldwide Impact

You might think Horizon hops are just another ingredient in your beer, but they’re causing quite a stir on the global stage. These little green cones are shaking things up!

Horizon hops, like their ancestor Brewer’s Gold, have become a hot commodity. Brewers can’t get enough of them for their American Pale Ales. But here’s the kicker – there might not be enough to go around!

But don’t panic just yet. Horizon hops are tough cookies.

They’ve got a crisp, clean flavor that brewers love. Here’s what makes them special:

Floral and citrusy notes
A spicy kick
Moderate bitterness (9-14% alpha acids)

These traits make Horizon perfect for balancing out your American Pale Ale.

It’s like they were made for each other!

The hop shortage isn’t just affecting Horizon, though. Farmers are feeling the heat as breweries pop up left and right. IPAs are especially thirsty for hops, guzzling up to six times more than other styles.

So next time you sip on a Horizon-hopped brew, savor it. You’re tasting a global sensation that’s keeping farmers, brewers, and beer lovers on their toes!

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