Opal Hops: Unearthing the Perfect Beer Style Pairing

Reading Time: around 15 min

Opal hops are a bit of an underdog in the beer world. Imagine you’ve got a crowd of hops, all vying for the brewer’s attention with their snazzy flavor profiles. In walks Opal hops, not brash like some of its cousins but with a charm that whispers of spicy and earthy tones.

You’d be forgiven for not knowing much about them.

They’ve been flying under the radar, but that’s about to change.

When you pair Opal hops with the right beer style, it’s like finding the missing puzzle piece in your brew. These hops aren’t the loud type that demand to be the star of the show, yet they bring a balance that’s hard to find elsewhere.

They work wonders in those beers that call for a subtle touch.

The kind that respects the malt but still wants to show off a bit of hop character.

Picture this. You’re crafting a beer that’s like a soft-spoken friend who’s always got witty comebacks. That’s where Opal hops shine. Sure, they might not be the life of the party, but they complement the brew in a way that’ll have your taste buds thanking you.

So let’s explore which beer styles will have your Opal hops…

…feeling right at home and make your next pint a memorable one.

Key Takeaways

Opal hops offer a blend of spicy and sweet tones that can enhance numerous beer styles.
Best suited for styles that require a subtle hop presence to complement the malt flavors.
They’re perfect for fine-tuning your homebrew and elevating it to new levels of taste.

Understanding Opal Hops

Opal hops are like the unsung heroes of the German hop family.

Packed with surprising flavors, they’re ready to jazz up your next brew project.

History and Origin

Once upon a time, at the German Research Center in Hüll, a new hop entered the stage. Opal hops were bred out of the desire to bring a new aromatic flair to the world of German hops. Pairing an old-world charm with a newfangled twist.

Main Characteristics

Purpose: Dual / Universal
Aromas: Spicy, Floral, Tropical, Citrus, Herbal
Notes: Stone Fruit, Pepper, Aniseed, Berries
Alpha-acids: 5.0% – 12.0% [bitterness added through boiling]
Beta-acids: 3.5% – 5.5% [bitterness added through maturation]
Cohumulone: 13% – 34% of alpha-acids [bitterness profile: low = smooth, high = sharp]
Hops oil breakdown: 0.8 – 1.3 mL / 100g [responsible for flavors and aromas]
- Myrcene: 20% – 45% [resinous, citrus, fruity]
- Humulene: 25% – 50% [noble, woody, spicy]
- Caryophyllene: 8% – 15% [spicy, piney, herbal]
- Farnesene: 0% – 1% [fresh, green, floral]

Agronomic Characteristics

Opals aren’t divas when it comes to growing them. You’ve got a hop that’s moderate in yield but robust and ready to face down diseases. With a slightly higher alpha acid content ranging usually from 5.0% to 9.0%, but it can reach sometimes even 11-12%!

And it balances that with a beta acid level of 3.5% to 5.5%.

The whole alpha-beta ratio affair makes it a versatile character in the brewing scene.

Usage in Brewing

Here’s the deal. Think of Opal hops as your trusty swiss army knife. They’re dual-purpose hops, which means you can throw them in for their abs – alpha bitterness. And also for their knockout aroma punch. Expect to do some hop additions for both early and late in the kettle.

Opal Hops in Beer Styles

Picture Opal hops as the social butterflies of hop varieties. They don’t just mingle in one circle. They’re the life of the party in Wheat Beers, Saisons, and especially the German Pilsners and Helles.

But don’t put them in a box.

They’ve got enough charisma to shine in Belgian Ales.

And they’ll even add a little oomph to an American Pale Ale or a Blonde Ale.

Decoding the Aroma and Flavor

Buckle up, my friend. You’re about to become an Opal Hops connoisseur. We’ll break down all the scintillating scents and tantalizing tastes this little green gem has to offer.

Aroma Palette

Imagine you’re walking through a fragrant, sun-drenched garden. That’s your nose on an Opal Hops adventure. This German maestro, cultivated by the artisans at the German Research Center Hüll, waves a complex bouquet under your nostrils.

Here, take a whiff:

Spicy: A peppery kick with an anise high note, because who doesn’t like a bit of spice in their life?
Floral: A waltz of sweet apricot and flowery jasmine, a real bouquet of aroma descriptors.
Herbal: Like a dash of herbal notes that put the “oo” in “ooh-la-la”.
Fruity: A subtle nod, but still. Some tropical and stone fruit notes, plus some berries.

Flavor Profile

Now, onto the flavors that’ll dance on your tongue like a well-choreographed ballet troupe:

Sweet and Spicy: It’s like that one friend who can’t decide on a mood – sweet apricot meets a prickle of spice.
Herbal Undertones: The herbal notes stay true, providing a green backdrop to the sweet-spicy soloists.
Fruity: Expect a juicy ensemble of follow ups, because “fruity” is not just an apple in your lunchbox.

And the beautiful, strong hoppy kick that comes with all of this.

Oil Composition

Alright, don’t glaze over on me. The science bit is cool, too.

Check the specs on this hop:

Component	Value
Alpha Acid	Medium
Beta Acid	Moderate
Alpha-Beta Ratio	Balanced like a skilled tightrope walker
Total Oils	Abundant Extracts, baby!

These oils are the secret sauce behind the aroma and flavor.

With Myrcene, Farnesene, Humulene, and Caryophyllene strutting their stuff…

…you’re in for a real sensory extravaganza.

Each drop adds a layer of complexity that’s as exciting as binge-watching your favorite series.

Now, remember this: Opal Hops are a very versatile variety in the brewing world. It’s a dual-purpose hop that serves up aroma and bitterness for an all-star lineup of brews.

So, the next time you sip on a refreshing Wheat Beer, a spicy Saison, or a balanced Pale Ale, tip your hat to the Opal Hops that made it a party in your mouth. Cheers! 🍻

Pairing Opal with Beer Styles

Alright, my beer-loving amigo, let’s talk about Opal hops and where they fit into your next tipple. Imagine these aromatic little wonders as the secret spice in your brew.

They’re just waiting to high-five your taste buds with their unique twist.

Pale Ales and IPAs

Flavor Profile: Hints of sweet tropical fruit and citrus, with a spicy backbeat.
Why It Works: These hops jive with the bold bitterness of an IPA while shaking hands with the ale’s innate fruitiness.

You adore an IPA with punch or a Pale Ale that swings between sweet and sass, right? Four words for you: Opal hops. They’re that friend who can mingle with any crowd.

Bringing in notes of spice and citrus without overpowering the party with bitterness.

Lagers and Pilsners

Flavor Profile: Clean herbal flavors, aniseed whispers, and a crisp finish.
Ideal Match: A lager or pilsner that’s as clean and sharp as your favorite suit.

Considering a Lagers or Pilsners lineup for your fridge?

Picture your classic pilsner’s crispness buddying up with the clean citrus zing of Opal hops. That subtle aniseed note? It’s like finding a hidden track on your favorite album.

Unexpected and totally on point.

Wheat Beers and Ales

Characteristic Tastes: Wheat’s creamy mouthfeel paired with Opal’s spicy and citrus hints.
Suggested Styles: Hefeweizen, Belgian Ale, and hoppy Wheat Beers.

Your wheat beer could use a plot twist, and Opal hops are the twist you didn’t know you needed. The citrus sings in harmony with the wheat’s smooth notes, while a dash of spicy goodness is like the encore that has you on your feet, cheering for more.

Unique Brews and Experimentation

Flavors to Play With: Spice, anise, and sweet and spicy characteristics.
Craft Circus: Saison, Experimental Ales, anything daring.

Feeling adventurous? Toss Opal hops into your next mad scientist brew.

Whether it’s a peppery Saison that dances on the tongue or an ale that thinks outside the barrel, Opal’s sweet and spicy dance will make your experimental batch a memorable one.

And if you hit the motherlode of flavor…

…don’t forget who steered you there!

Implementing Opal Hops in Homebrew

Opal hops can be your secret sauce in crafting a distinctive homebrew, with its smack of spicy, fruity elements. Whether you’re amping up the bitterness or chasing that perfect aroma, Opal hops are versatile players on your brew team.

Let’s break down how you can get the most out of them.

Calculating Utilization

First up, you need to crunch some numbers for alpha acid utilization. Not the most thrilling part, I’ll admit, but here’s the nitty-gritty. Higher alpha acids mean more bitterness. Opal hops usually clock in at 5%-9% alpha acids. Although it can be a bit more sometimes.

Remember, the longer you boil, the more bitterness you extract.

So for a smooth hit, keep an eye on the clock.

Boil Time:

0-15 minutes – You’re just teasing out the aromas.
15-30 minutes – Now we’re bringing some flavor to the party.
30-90 minutes – Talk about a bitterness bash!

Enhancing Aroma and Flavor

Here’s where you flatter Opal with your attention to its aroma and flavor. It’s a dual-purpose hop, meaning it can swing both ways: bittering and aromatics. Want to wow your taste buds with hints of sweet floral, spice, and citrus?

Pitch those hops late in the boil, or even better, dry hop them post-fermentation.

Dry Hopping:

Add 0.5-1 oz per 5 gallons – for a hint of that Opal charm.
Add 1-2 oz per 5 gallons – if you’re going for a full-on aroma extravaganza.

Experimenting with Different Brews

Ready to play mad scientist? Opal hops can jive with a range of beer styles, so how about throwing them into a German Pils or a Farmhouse Ale? The beta acids, sitting pretty at 3.5%-5.5%, will ensure your beer has enough complexity to be the talk of the town.

Beer Styles:

German Pilsner – Opal can shine with its noble heritage.
Saison – Add some spice to that funk.
Pale Ale – Because why not throw a curveball?

Hey, they say variety is the spice of life, and Opal hops are your spice rack.

Get brewing, and let’s toast to the experiments that don’t blow up in our faces!

Hopping Stages and Amounts

Get ready to roll out the barrels because we’re about to get up close and personal with Opal, the hop that’s got more layers than your Aunt Edna’s lasagna. This German gem is a real treasure, with whispers of fruits and a dash of spice.

It’s like Oktoberfest in a hop cone!

First off, let’s talk Weizenbock. The wheaty wonder that’s darker than a moonless night in the Bavarian countryside. Opal hops are the secret handshake in this shindig, bringing just the right amount of pizzazz.

Start with a solid 1 ounce at the 60-minute mark.

And you’ll lay down a bitterness that’s as firm as a handshake from a German banker.

But hold onto your lederhosen! When the boil’s got 10 minutes left on the clock, it’s time to drop in another half-ounce. This is where Opal really starts to shine, giving your Weizenbock a spicy wink that says

“Trust me, you’re gonna love this.”

And because we can’t resist a good “Zum Wohl,” let’s wrap up with a quarter-ounce at flameout. This is the aromatic nudge that makes your beer say, “Welcome to flavor town, population: you.”

Next up, let’s skip to the Kölsch, the beer that’s as cool and crisp as a breeze through the Cologne Cathedral. Here, Opal hops are like the perfect accessory. Subtle, but oh-so-stylish.

Go ahead and throw in 1.25 ounces at the 60-minute mark.

Setting the stage for a smooth bitterness that’s as refreshing as a dip in the Rhine.

As the end of the boil approaches, with just 5 minutes to go, let’s jazz things up with a 0.75 ounce encore. This is the hoppy high-five that brings it all home, delivering a Kölsch that’s as balanced as a unicyclist on a tightrope.

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
Saison	Aroma	0.05	0.2	0.25	1	0.15
	Bittering	0.05	0.27	0.25	1.34	0.13
	Flavor	0.03	0.38	0.15	1.9	0.16
Saison Total		0.03	0.38	0.15	1.9	0.15
American Pale Ale	Aroma	0.07	0.2	0.37	1.02	0.1
	Bittering	0.03	0.22	0.13	1.11	0.1
	Flavor	0.09	0.2	0.45	1.02	0.16
American Pale Ale Total		0.03	0.22	0.13	1.11	0.11
Blonde Ale	Aroma	0.05	0.18	0.24	0.91	0.12
	Bittering	0.05	0.2	0.27	1	0.13
	Flavor	0.05	0.18	0.27	0.91	0.1
Blonde Ale Total		0.05	0.2	0.24	1	0.11
American IPA	Aroma	0.08	0.16	0.39	0.8	0.11
	Bittering	0.09	0.39	0.43	1.96	0.24
	Dry Hop	0.26	0.47	1.28	2.36	0.37
American IPA Total		0.08	0.47	0.39	2.36	0.2
Witbier	Aroma	0.18	0.18	0.91	0.91	0.18
	Bittering	0.05	0.09	0.24	0.45	0.08
Witbier Total		0.02	0.18	0.12	0.91	0.09

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
Saison	Aroma	0.37	1.5	7.49	30	1.16
	Bittering	0.37	2	7.49	40	0.98
	Flavor	0.23	2.85	4.54	57.06	1.17
Saison Total		0.23	2.85	4.54	57.06	1.12
American Pale Ale	Aroma	0.56	1.52	11.11	30.45	0.75
	Bittering	0.2	1.67	4	33.33	0.73
	Flavor	0.68	1.52	13.62	30.43	1.23
American Pale Ale Total		0.2	1.67	4	33.33	0.87
Blonde Ale	Aroma	0.36	1.36	7.14	27.23	0.86
	Bittering	0.4	1.5	8	29.96	0.98
	Flavor	0.4	1.36	8	27.23	0.79
Blonde Ale Total		0.36	1.5	7.14	29.96	0.83
American IPA	Aroma	0.59	1.2	11.76	24	0.81
	Bittering	0.65	2.94	12.91	58.82	1.8
	Dry Hop	1.92	3.54	38.46	70.77	2.73
American IPA Total		0.59	3.54	11.76	70.77	1.51
Witbier	Aroma	1.36	1.36	27.23	27.23	1.36
	Bittering	0.36	0.68	7.27	13.62	0.6
Witbier Total		0.36	1.36	7.27	27.23	0.71

*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.

Substitutes for Opal Hops

Looking to mix things up in the brewery, but your stash of Opal hops has run dry? No sweat! There are plenty of substitutes that can step up to the plate and keep your brew day on track.

Traditional Substitutes

When it comes to traditional substitutes, you’ve got some trusty sidekicks who are ready to pinch-hit. One such hero is the venerable East Kent Golding. Beloved for its smooth and almost honey-like spicy and herbal touches.

This classic UK variety will keep your ales singing with a similar finesse to Opal.

Another sub worth swinging a pint with is Styrian Golding. This Slovenian gem brings a light and delicate resinous-earthy spice to the party. Perfect for if you’re after that European vibe without any drama.

Contemporary Substitutes

Stepping into the modern era, pack a punch with Saphir.

This German up-and-comer delivers a delicious floral and herbal tandem that’s smooth as silk. It’s like switching from a record player to a digital jukebox but for your taste buds.

Then there’s Hallertau Gold, also hailing from Germany. Which lands on the nose with some sweet fruit and spice notes that can slide right into your brew and make itself at home.

Blends & Complementary Varieties

If you’re feeling like a mad scientist, why not experiment with some blends? Opal hops dance beautifully with Tettnanger. Think of it as the peanut butter to your jelly, the Simon to your Garfunkel.

They team up for a light and floral aromatic bonanza.

If you’re into the “more the merrier” mantra, toss into the mix some complementary varieties. Like Hallertau Gold for added complexity. It’s like spiking your punch; nobody expects it, but everyone loves the surprise.

Remember, whether you’re into tradition…

…or looking to shake it up with something new…

…these substitutes will play nicely with the noble traditions that Opal hops are known to uphold. They align with Opal’s magic in lagers and ales, keeping your fermented creations balanced and tasty. So, don’t let the end of your Opal stash kill the buzz in your brewery.

Get experimental and keep the good brews flowing!

Reference and Education

When diving into the world of Opal hops, you’re in for a treat. A scholarly pint, if you will. Let’s crack open the books and the brews, and see what wisdom the sages impart.

Historical References

History’s not just for dusty books. It’s in the beer you guzzle down, too! Opal hops have quite the lineage, tracing back to Germany where precision and quality reign supreme in hop cultivation.

Haas, a major player in the hop world, might suggest that Opal hops are like the secret spice mix passed down from a wise grandparent. You use it and, boom, your beer’s character jumps several notches.

Reference Check:

Origin: Germany
Parentage: Tettnanger and Hallertau Gold

Learning from Experts

To brew or not to brew, that is the question.

The answer lies with you, but you can check with the experts.

Haas and others have run a bazillion experiments. Give or take a few, to really nail down Opal hop’s spectrum of spicy, fruity flavors that can spruce up any beer. Spoiler alert: it’s particularly fabulous for Belgian ales and farmhouse styles.

Pay attention to this gem from the pros: it’s all about the timing.

Add Opal too early, and you lose the nuance.

Too late, and it might elbow its way to the front.

Expert Tips:

Aim for balance: sweet spot in timing enhances flavor
Match with beer style: Belgian ales, Saisons, and German lagers love it

Exploring Brewing Communities

Joining a brewing community is like stepping into a hoppy wonderland. Everyone’s giddy to share their latest potion. In these circles, you’ll hear whispers of Opal magic.

How it can turn a bleak brew into sunshine in a glass. Communities are gold mines for tips, tricks, and the occasional brewing mishap turned legend.

Community Wisdom:

Experiment with Opal in small batches
Share and compare brewing notes and outcomes with fellow enthusiasts

Alright, my brewing compadre, let’s get those pots a-bubblin’ and the good times a-rollin’. With Opal, we’re not just making beer; we’re weaving a tapestry of taste that’s as intricate as a Bavarian folk dance.

So grab your stein, tip your hat to Opal, and let’s toast to the hop…

…that’s more multifaceted than a gemstone in a king’s crown.

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