Centennial

Lemon/grapefruit citrus-forward with distinct pine, and some herbal notes

Where It Lives

• Tropical & Citrus (lemon/grapefruit)
• Piney & Dank (pine/resin)

Storytime

Centennial is often described as “cascade turned up.” It was bred to be a higher-alpha, more intense version of cascade and became a staple in west coast IPA and APA. Bell’s Two Hearted - using 100% centennial hops - delivers a "dark citrus" and resin character in the context of that firm malt balance.

Key Specs

• Alpha Acids: 8 – 11.5%
• Total Oil: 1.5 – 2.5 mL/100g
• Origin: United States
• Form: Pellet
• Common Substitutions: Cascade, Chinook (in some recipes)
• More tech specs here

Practical Use

Can be the main feature or a strong supporting hop. It’s more assertive than cascade, so it holds up well in bold IPAs (Two Hearted), but still works nicely in balanced pale ales. In very hop-heavy or complex beers, the citrus can still fade if it’s not added late.

Dry hopping rates have crept up a lot in recent years. 2–4 oz total in 5 gallons is a common range for solid aroma impact without going overboard. Some people push 5–6+ oz (sometimes across multiple additions), especially in very hop-forward or hazy styles. The upside is bigger aroma. The downside is cost, potential astringency or muddiness if you go too hard, and diminishing returns past a certain point.

Best for: Bittering, flavoring...all angles. Brew day tip: Add at flameout or whirlpool to protect the brighter citrus and floral notes. Plays especially well with Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe.