I brewed a small batch APA recently to check out this new hop and I thought I’d pass on the final results. Equinox (HBC366) is the new release from the Hop Breeding Co.- the guys that produced Simcoe, Citra, And Mosaic, so they’ve been on a pretty hot streak in recent years. And this is another good one. Sierra (among others) is a big fan and used it in one of their single hop IPAs last year.
Equinox goes around 14-15% AA, and also has a very high oil content (2.9) - it screams out IPA and dry hopping . In comparison, Citra is often listed at ~ 2 or or a little over. This is a complex hop - I get citrus, mango, earthiness, a touch of pine, and an overall resiny character (in a good way)from the high oil content. With its intensity it could drown out less intense hops easily unless you backed off on the Equinox. Except for trying out new hops, I rarely make single hop beers because I like to blend different hops for complexity. Thing is, this hop (sort of like Mosaic) has a lot going on and tastes like a blend of hops on its own. I get a little bit of Amarillo, Citra, and Simcoe together with a unique earthy/spicy character. Just bought a lb.
Sounds like one I’d like.
Really liked the Equinox beer SN poured at the Chicago event last summer.
I bought a pound too based on your suggestion a couple of weeks ago. I can’t wait to use it. Do you think it should be used as a single hop, or what other hops would you recommend using it with?
I tried it at CBC and really liked it. Thought about getting a contract for it but wasn’t sure how much I’d use it.
I did get this hat though!
You could always use Amarillo or a C hop of course in larger ratio, but maybe something like Galaxy to boost tropical fruitiness, too. Honestly, I think it’s one to try on its own first - I don’t normally say that. It’s pretty interesting.
EDIT - I haven’t bittered with it yet, so I can’t say how it does for bittering (though it’s obviously high AA). I bittered the APA with Warrior and added Equinox in a hop stand and also dry hopped with it.
Killer hat, Keith !
Just last night I tried an American Amber Ale brewed by Haas Experimental which was single hopped with Equinox. It was quite good. I was in a large group with a lot going on so I didn’t really focus on the beer too much, but I enjoyed the hop flavor a lot.
This might be the ticket here just to do something different since I have an APA on tap, IIPA fermenting, and a session IPA in the hole to prep yeast for an ABW.
Yeah, that sounds good.
Here I am wearing the hat standing with some guy I know!
Thanks for sharing your results. This has been on my wish list for a while. Sounds like I might have to bump it up a bit higher on the list.
Quite a few on my list, too. No shortage of new ones right now, either.
Lagunitas did their “born yesterday” w/ equinox and it was fantastic… It will be on the “it list” in no time
Yeah, I think it’s the new ‘it’ hop for IPAs definitely. HBC are on their game. Great hop.
Just got a pound from Yakima Valley Hops and excited to try it out. Also got a pound of Fuggles so I can make a Saquatch Repelant - CDA by blending with Northern Brewer. Looking for cedar-earthy-campfire/roastiness. But anyway… also got a pound of Crystal to try on a summer blonde.
I need to be careful, I dont want to become a hop head [emoji15]
I think you’ll like Equinox, Jim. It’s become a staple in many of my hop forward beers. Equinox kinda wants to conform and hang out with all of the other fruity hops, but he’s still a little too cool for that. You get a nice citrus kick up front, but it balances out with a slight dank/resinous finish.
Yep, great hop. Really like it.
Right now I’m free rising my Stout for NHC (still a little surreal) then I have two packs of 2352 Munich 2 I need to use up. Thinking Helles and Dunkles. Then… im rocking a couple IPAs, one of which I plan to pair Amarillo and Equinox and let them duke it out.
Equinox will win, but they’ll go great together. Awesome on the rebrew of the stout, too. Hope it does well again.