Cascade
The hop that started the American craft revolution.
What it tastes like
Cascade is the hop that defined American craft beer in the 1980s. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, the beer that built modern craft, is essentially a vehicle for Cascade. Floral, citrusy, grapefruit-forward — accessible without being aggressive. If a beer says 'classic American pale ale,' Cascade is what it tastes like.
Best in these styles
Tasting Tip
Cascade is what a beer geek means when they say 'C-hop.' Pair Sierra Nevada Pale Ale with a fresh Liberty Ale and you'll taste the through-line of 40 years of craft beer.Beers showcasing Cascade
- Pale AleSierra Nevada
- Liberty AleAnchor
- Mirror Pond Pale AleDeschutes
Substitutes & relatives
If you can't source Cascade, these hops bring overlapping character.
For brewers — technical profile
Alpha Acid
5.5–7.0%
Beta Acid
5.5–7.0%
Total Oil
0.7–1.4 mL/100g
Oil composition
myrcene
45-55%
humulene
10-14%
caryophyllene
3-5%
farnesene
5-8%
History
Developed at the USDA breeding program at Oregon State University, released 1972. Cascade was the first major commercial US aroma hop and the foundation for everything that followed. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (1980) brought it to a generation of American drinkers and effectively launched the craft revival.
Freshness Note
Cascade is robust — it holds up better than newer high-oil varieties. But you'll still get a brighter grapefruit kick from a beer drunk within 60 days of packaging.