Here we go again: Much like hot and dry weather in Europe last year affected the balance between essential oil and alpha acids in many Noble hops, unfavorable weather in the American Northwest dulled the aroma intensity of some popular varieties used in hop-forward beers.
Adjustments may be necessary.
Or, as the team that assembles the BarthHaas Hop Harvest Guide puts it, “Our sensory panel notes show the fruity aromas tend to be restrained in 2022, giving way to floral, woody, and menthol notes. You will likely need to be modifying hop additions in terms of quantity and timing, and also consider targeted sensory blending of hop varieties from the current harvest.”