Jester Hops Hijinks: Perfect Brews for a Royal Laugh

Reading Time: around 13 min

Jester hops are the unruly child of the hop family, breaking ranks from the typical English hop profile that might make you think of a quiet cup of tea. Instead, Jester bursts into the room with flavors that will surprise you.

Imagine a fruit basket that’s come alive, with notes of grapefruit and tropical fruits taking the lead. It’s an English variety with a New World twist, and if your taste buds had eyebrows, they’d be raised.

When you’re brewing a beer and want to inject some playful character into it…

…Jester hops are your go-to.

They’re like that friend who’s great at telling jokes; they just know how to liven up a party. Whether you’re aiming for an IPA that stands out or a Pale Ale with a twist, tossing Jester into the mix might just create the next big hit in your home brew lineup.

It’s suitable for most stages of the brewing process.

So you have carte blanche to experiment.

Key Takeaways

Jester hops give beer a fruity, citrus flavor unlike typical English hops.
They’re perfect for IPAs or Pale Ales that need a unique twist.
Jester can be used in various stages of brewing, offering flexibility in recipe development.

The Riotous Roots of Jester

Hey there, beer buff! Let’s chat about Jester hops, a rebellious character in the hop family. Imagine an English hop that broke all the rules. Jester’s got that “I don’t do boring” vibe because it’s a seedling of Cascade, but with an English accent.

Bred by the clever folks over at Charles Faram & Co Ltd in the UK, it’s like they waved a magic wand and poof. An English hop with a zesty twist! And ah boy, that’s the variety we never knew we needed.

Think of Jester as the life of the party.

It was born relatively recently in 2013, which makes it the fresh kid on the block. What’s fascinating about this hop is its dual personality. It gives you the best of both worlds. The reliability of an English hop…

…and the daring flavors you’d expect from its American relatives.

Breeding hops isn’t a joke, but with Jester, there’s a chuckle in every pint. Because somehow it’s as English as a double-decker bus but as wild as a road trip in Vegas. Trust me, if your beer could talk after using Jester, it would probably have an identity crisis.

Now, you’re not just throwing any ol’ hops into your brew, right? You’re on a quest for that unique flavor. Jester hops? They deliver. With vibrant notes of tropical fruits to tickle your taste buds, they’re not just here to play.

They’re here to start a taste revolution in your glass.

So, grab your brewing kit, because when you want to craft a beer that’s as quirky as a jester’s hat, this hop’s the one that shouts, “Pick me! I promise to shake things up a bit!”

Just Jester: A Profile of the Prankster

You’re eager to tickle your senses and craft beers that pack a playful punch?

Jester hops will hand you the joker card in the brewing deck.

Main Characteristics

Purpose: Aroma
Aromas: Citrus, Tropical, Black Currant, Resinous
Notes: Grapefruit, Lychee
Alpha-acids: 7.0% – 9.0% [bitterness added through boiling]
Beta-acids: 4.0% – 6.0% [bitterness added through maturation]
Cohumulone: 23% – 28% of alpha-acids [bitterness profile: low = smooth, high = sharp]
Hops oil breakdown: 0.6 – 1.2 mL / 100g [responsible for flavors and aromas]
- Myrcene: 45% – 50% [resinous, citrus, fruity]
- Humulene: around 2% [noble, woody, spicy]
- Caryophyllene: no information [spicy, piney, herbal]
- Farnesene: 0.1% – 2% [fresh, green, floral]

Aromas to Tickle Your Nose

Let me introduce you to Jester’s olfactory orchestra. It’s the wild, fruity cousin in the English hop family band. Imagine rubbing a balloon on your head. Expect that level of static excitement, but for your nose.

You’ll catch whiffs of grapefruit, lychee, and tropical fruit salad. Followed by black currant and resin. This isn’t your boring morning fruit bowl. It’s the fruit ninja champion of the hop world.

Aroma Leads:
- Grapefruit
- Lychee
- Tropical Fruits
Aroma Support:
- Black Currant
- Resin

Here’s the kicker, though. Jester doesn’t just flirt with your senses from afar. It ambushes them up close with those cheeky ripe notes that make taste buds giggle.

A Bittering Sense of Humor

Bitterness in beer? Yes, please, but make it amusing. Jester knows that a good chuckle can be a tease, so it rocks a moderate alpha acid range of about 7-9%. “A bitter jest is the poison of friendship,” they say, but clearly, they’ve never met this hop.

Punchy yet polite – Jester’s bitterness won’t kick your door down.

But it’ll definitely ring the bell.

Bittering Values:
- Alpha Acid: 7-9% – A jokester’s slap on the back.
- Beta Acid: 4-6% – Not the lead singer but still hits the right notes.

Stick with Jester and you’ll find your beer’s aroma and flavor playing pranks on each other in perfect harmony. Leaving everyone smirking sip after sip.

The Main Stage: Styles Suited for Jester

Jester hops bring a wild fruit punch to the party, and boy do they love the spotlight in certain beer styles. They’re like the class clowns of hops; you just can’t ignore their bombastic charm.

Pale Ale Puns and Pranks

In the world of Pale Ales, Jester hops are like that friend who turns every statement into a pun. They add a twist of vibrant fruitiness to the traditional, more grounded English styles.

Picture this: your everyday Pale Ale walks into a bar.

But Jester hops tag along and suddenly it’s wearing a sparkly cape. Bursting with notes of grapefruit, lychee, and a punchline of tropical fruits. Throwing some black currant and resin cards as well. Ok, I overdid it, but you get the drill.

Jester’s Profile:
- Aroma: Fruit-forward with a touch of the tropics.
- Taste: Grapefruit, lychee, and black currant fiestas.

For your homebrew, think of adding Jester when you’re yearning for an English Pale Ale. But the one that doesn’t just sit there but does a little dance on your taste buds.

IPA: India Prankster Ale

Now, let’s ramp it up with IPAs, where Jester ‘hops’ up to the front with its mischievous smirk. Hooking up with the regular IPA crowd, Jester injects life with an unexpected burst of currant-like tanginess and citrus zing.

Imagine a normal IPA, but with Jester, it’s like it just told a great joke.

Everyone’s laughing and reaching for another sip.

The IPA Transformation:
- Bold Fruitiness: Black currant, citrus, and tropical notes.
- Flavor-Packed: Dare to be different with a distinct British twist.

When you brew your next IPA, toss in Jester hops if you want a beer that’s not just bitter. But also has a personality as vibrant as a stand-up comic at an open-mic night.

Brewing Up a Joke: Using Jester in the Brewing Process

If you want your beer to have the last laugh with that standout taste, using Jester hops can be the secret trick up your sleeve. Let’s break down the comic timing to add Jester hops for that punchy flavor.

Timing the Punchline

Jester hops come from the UK and are known to be real pranksters in the brewing world. If you want your beer to have that fruit-packed gag, here’s how you pull it off:

Early Boil: Tossing Jester in at the beginning of the boil, let’s say a 60-minute boil time, you’ll extract their bitterness. But remember, Jester is a dual-purpose hop and it won’t give you a slapstick bitter punch like some high-alpha hops.
Mid Boil: Add them in at the halfway mark and you’re hitting the crowd with a subtle blend of bitterness and flavor. Kinda like a well-timed one-liner.
Flameout or Whirlpool: Now, if you’re the type to save the best for last, adding Jester right when you turn off the boil – the aroma! You’ll get a noseful of fruity notes.

Here are some brewing values for you, just to make sure you nail the joke:

Brewing Stage	Alpha Acid %	Beta Acid %	Timing
Early Boil (Bitterness)	7-9%	4-6%	60 min before
Mid Boil (Flavor)	–	–	30 min before
Flameout (Aroma)	–	–	0 min

The Last Laugh: Dry Hopping Techniques

Want a grand finale that leaves everyone grinning? Then let’s talk dry hopping:

Direct to the Fermenter: After the initial fermentation frenzy, you’ll sneak in those Jester hops. Just like the class clown slipping a whoopee cushion onto the teacher’s chair. Dry hopping for 3–7 days can really highlight the tropical and fruity notes.
Hop Socks: Use them to keep things clean, like wearing a tie to a food fight. This method allows for easy removal of the hops, preventing grassy off-flavors when the joke has gone too far.

Remember, when you dry hop with Jester, you’re looking for a beer with a more aromatic punchline. The flavor and aroma tend to be of the wild fruit variety. Think black currant and grapefruit. It might just be the secret to having the last laugh with your next brew.

Concocting the Gag: Recipe Considerations

Let’s talk about tossing Jester hops into your brew and how not to turn it into a comedy of errors. First off, remember that Jester is like that one cousin at family reunions. A bit different but full of character. It’s a seedling of the Cascade variety, so expect some similar traits.

The key to your brewing success is knowing the right amount and balancing the flavors.

Alright, buckle up! When brewing with Jester hops, you’re aiming for that punchy fruitiness, something like a fruit salad had a party in your beer. The usual amount? For a 5-gallon batch size, you might start with around an ounce for aroma.

Depending on how loud you want these hops to sing in your concoction. And what style you choose. You might want to crank up the volume a little bit in the IPAs. Especially as flavor addition or while dry hopping.

In those cases 2 ounces for a batch might be in order.

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	0.05	0.77	0.27	3.85	0.19
	Bittering	0.06	0.26	0.32	1.28	0.14
	Dry Hop	0.1	1.2	0.49	6	0.37
	Flavor	0.25	0.51	1.24	2.57	0.38
	Whirlpool	0.09	0.74	0.45	3.71	0.3
American IPA Total		0.05	1.2	0.27	6	0.27
Best Bitter	Aroma	0.1	0.33	0.5	1.67	0.21
	Bittering	0.05	0.17	0.27	0.84	0.11
	Dry Hop	0.16	0.36	0.79	1.82	0.26
	Flavor	0.09	0.33	0.47	1.67	0.14
Best Bitter Total		0.05	0.36	0.27	1.82	0.17
American Pale Ale	Aroma	0.1	0.2	0.48	0.99	0.15
	Dry Hop	0.08	0.64	0.42	3.21	0.39
	Flavor	0.03	0.25	0.16	1.25	0.13
	Whirlpool	0.17	0.31	0.83	1.55	0.21
American Pale Ale Total		0.03	0.64	0.16	3.21	0.22
English IPA	Aroma	0.1	0.32	0.48	1.59	0.21
	Bittering	0.04	0.22	0.19	1.12	0.15
	Dry Hop	0.13	1.34	0.63	6.68	0.42
	Whirlpool	0.15	0.38	0.74	1.91	0.27
English IPA Total		0.04	1.34	0.19	6.68	0.27
New England IPA	Aroma	0.13	0.38	0.63	1.9	0.26
	Dry Hop	0.17	0.38	0.83	1.9	0.25
	Flavor	0.1	0.19	0.5	0.95	0.15
	Whirlpool	0.17	0.25	0.83	1.25	0.21
New England IPA Total		0.1	0.38	0.5	1.9	0.22
British Golden Ale	Aroma	0.05	0.17	0.27	0.83	0.1
	Bittering	0.02	0.12	0.1	0.58	0.06
	Flavor	0.05	0.15	0.27	0.73	0.1
British Golden Ale Total		0.02	0.23	0.1	1.16	0.1

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	0.4	5.77	8	115.38	1.39
	Bittering	0.48	1.92	9.52	38.46	1.02
	Dry Hop	0.74	8.99	14.81	179.74	2.73
	Flavor	1.85	3.85	37.04	76.92	2.85
	Whirlpool	0.67	5.56	13.5	111.11	2.22
American IPA Total		0.4	8.99	8	179.74	2.04
Best Bitter	Aroma	0.75	2.5	14.98	50	1.56
	Bittering	0.41	1.26	8.24	25.26	0.81
	Dry Hop	1.18	2.72	23.53	54.47	1.95
	Flavor	0.71	2.5	14.12	50	1.05
Best Bitter Total		0.41	2.72	8.24	54.47	1.29
American Pale Ale	Aroma	0.71	1.48	14.29	29.59	1.12
	Dry Hop	0.63	4.81	12.5	96.15	2.96
	Flavor	0.24	1.88	4.76	37.5	1
	Whirlpool	1.25	2.33	24.96	46.51	1.57
American Pale Ale Total		0.24	4.81	4.76	96.15	1.65
English IPA	Aroma	0.71	2.38	14.29	47.62	1.54
	Bittering	0.28	1.68	5.56	33.6	1.09
	Dry Hop	0.94	10	18.72	200	3.14
	Whirlpool	1.11	2.86	22.22	57.14	1.99
English IPA Total		0.28	10	5.56	200	1.98
New England IPA	Aroma	0.94	2.85	18.72	57.06	1.9
	Dry Hop	1.25	2.85	24.96	57.06	1.84
	Flavor	0.75	1.43	15	28.53	1.09
	Whirlpool	1.25	1.87	24.96	37.45	1.56
New England IPA Total		0.75	2.85	15	57.06	1.64
British Golden Ale	Aroma	0.4	1.25	8	24.96	0.76
	Bittering	0.15	0.87	3	17.39	0.44
	Flavor	0.4	1.09	8	21.74	0.75
British Golden Ale Total		0.15	1.74	3	34.78	0.74

*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.

Your brew’s efficiency is no joke either. You’ll want efficiency in the ballpark of 70-75%. Better efficiency means you get more bang for your buck from these jesters. The hop flavors will come through nice and clear.

Giving you some nice fruity notes without muddling the overall taste.

So, want a real knee-slapper of a beer? Here’s a quick rundown: Use Jester hops moderately for a walloping good fruity aroma. But remember, we’re crafting a fine beverage, not fruit punch. Keep the flavors balanced.

Think tropical, but don’t let it become a luau in a glass.

Get the Jester ratios right, and your beer will be the life of the party. Too much, however, and it might start throwing pies instead of punchlines. Cheers to your perfectly pitched pint!

Hop Substitutions and Best Buds

Finding the right hop can be like picking the perfect wingman for a night out. The whole game changes when you mix it up or when one hop variety skips town.

When Jester’s Away: Alternatives

You know how it is when your go-to hop takes a hike, and you’re left scratching your head? Fear not! If Jester’s missing from your stash, you can snag a few buddies from the hop equivalent of a friendship circle. Let’s look at a few swaps:

Cascade: The reliable friend who’s always there, bringing a citrusy vibe to the party.
Centennial: A bit like Jester’s sophisticated twin, upping the ante with floral and citrus notes.
Columbus: For a more intense kick, Columbus packs that bold, punchy character.

Remember, it’s like picking your karaoke song.

You gotta match the vibe to keep the crowd cheering.

Teaming Up Other Hops with Jester

When Jester plays well with others, it’s the buddy system at its best. It’s all about complementing without overpowering. Think peanut butter and jelly, not ketchup and ice cream. Here are some ace combinations:

Cascade and Jester: A duo that’s like summer in a glass – fruity, breezy, and downright fun.
Centennial and Jester: You’ll get a remix of floral and fruit tones, taking it from a solo act to a chart-topping hit.
Columbus and Jester: For a hop profile that’s got a bit more edge and depth, this team-up is like turning up the bass at a concert.

So go ahead, play matchmaker with your hops.

It’s like setting up a blind date where you’re almost certain they’ll hit it off.

Where to Snag the Jester

Good news, my hop-hungry friend! Jester hops aren’t locked away in some medieval castle; they’re fairly easy to get your hands on. You can thank the folks at Charles Faram & Co for breeding this whimsical variety.

Its parent, Cascade, might have given it that fruity kick.

But Jester’s gone rogue with a British accent.

You might not stumble upon them in your local supermarket, but fear not! These hops are propagated with care. If you’re brewing your own potion, hit up specialist suppliers or online retailers who stock Charles Faram & Co products.

Remember to look for the English-grown badge of honor.

Those Jester hops have got heritage.

Here’s a quick checklist to guide your quest:

Specialist Suppliers: The knights in shining armor for homebrewers.
Online Retailers: Scroll through pages instead of medieval market stalls.
Availability: Look for those bad boys around the fall, as they’re typically harvested from the end of summer into early October.

Pro tip: While you’re out there in the wilds of the internet or your homebrew haven, ask if they’ve got Jester by the pound or in pellet form. This mischievous little hop loves to keep things interesting, so whether it’s for a bitter or an aromatic role in your brew…

…you’re in for a treat.

So pull on your boots, grab your steed (or, you know, just use your keypad), and start your hunt for Jester hops. Your taste buds and beer buddies will thank you when you triumphantly return with the spoils of your quest!

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