Chinook
The pine-forward bittering classic.
What it tastes like
If a beer hits you with that classic Pacific Northwest pine-forest aroma, that's Chinook. It's a heavy, resinous, almost spicy hop that built the bitterness of countless West Coast IPAs in the 1990s. Less popular as an aroma hop today, but still a workhorse for IPA bittering.
Best in these styles
Tasting Tip
Stone IPA leans heavily on Chinook. If you've had it, you've tasted Chinook's signature dry-pine character.Beers showcasing Chinook
- IPAStone
- Celebration AleSierra Nevada
Substitutes & relatives
If you can't source Chinook, these hops bring overlapping character.
For brewers — technical profile
Alpha Acid
12–14%
Beta Acid
3–4%
Total Oil
1.5–2.5 mL/100g
Oil composition
myrcene
35-40%
humulene
20-25%
caryophyllene
9-11%
farnesene
<1%
History
Bred by the USDA, released 1985. Originally intended as a high-alpha bittering hop, but Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale and others established it as a credible aroma contributor too.
Freshness Note
Excellent keeping qualities — Celebration Ale is meant to be drunk within 90 days of release for the freshest hop hit.