I just ordered some Equinox hops which I have never used. I will likely be using them in a pale ale with cascade and possibly centennial or palisade. Let’s just consider cascade for now. Should I use a 2:1 of cascade to equinox so that the cascade does not get overpowered?
Yeah, at least. 2:1 to 3:1 would work nicely.
Yes, Equinox, err HBC-366, has high oil content, so 2:1 or 3:1 would work. Look up data for these hops here.
https://ychhops.com/varieties
I do use that site quite often. It weird how it’s listed as HBC 366 formerly Equinox. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?
I guess they dropped/had to drop the name. So now it’s HBC366 again until it gets renamed. Still a damn nice hop.
Ah ok. I am excited to try it.
Thinking either 4:3:2 cascade:simcoe:equinox or 2:2:1 cascade:centennial:equinox for late additions and bitter with something neutral to get the majority of my IBUs. Any preference on what would work better?
I don’t use a lot of the newer varieties so my favorite combo so far has been cascade, centennial, palisade at 2:1:1. I am a big fan of more old school, floral, citrusy, grapefruit, with just a touch of stone fruit or tropical mixed in. A lot of the newer varieties of APA/IPA are too fruity for my taste.
My current one of comet, cascade, and ahtanum is interesting and a lot more pungent than I expected at this point. I think the comet may be overpowering the other two although it doesn’t seem to be high in oil content. I would like to give ahtanum another try since it was my first attempt using that variety.
They probably got into a trademark situation, and decided to drop the name.
IMO a 1.5 Cascade: 1.5 Centennial: 1 Equinox would be nice for what you say you prefer - classic citrusy, floral, grapefruit mixed with some fruity new character. Honestly, 1:1:1 would be very nice, too. I’ll be curious to see how you like it.
Anyone ever brew with just Equinox? I just did one on Friday which is fermenting right now. I was going to just dry hop it with more 366, but maybe I should add something else.
I guess I could always do a 2nd dry hop if it doesn’t taste right after the first.
I considered doing a SMASH with it. Did you brew an IPA?
Yeah, I did a hoppy APA with just it. It’s fruity but has a lot going on IMO. I really liked it. As for dry hopping, it’s high in oil and potent. 2.5-3 oz dry hopped (5 gal) gives tons of aroma.
Edit - It’s a complex but fruity hop, so if you want a little balance, some Chinook or Simcoe is nice, too.
I did an IPA. Warrior for bittering, 10 min - 1 oz. 366 addition and a 30 minute whirlpool with another 2 oz. I’m planning to dry hop with another 2 oz.
To be quite honest, if you have never used Equinox, you might use them as a single hop in a pale ale. It is a pretty dynamic hop. I think it’s profile is similar to centennial on steriods with a punch of columbus dank added to it if that makes much sense. I’ve done a single hopped equinox APA and it was really good. Equinox has become one of my favorite hops, because of it’s versatility being used only and working well with many others. It has so many layers of goodness!
Thanks for the feedback. I only ordered 4 oz which makes it difficult to do a single hopped beer. I suppose I could do a lower OG smash pale ale with magnum for bittering?
I agree. While it is a fruity hop IMO, it’s not just a fruity hop. There’s a lot going on. Makes a nice single hop beer.
A smash would be fine, but don’t change your plans if you want an APA. Equinox works well with the C hops. Cascade won’t take away from it and work well with Equinox. I was just making a suggestion if you had more Equinox that it works well by itself
Equinox or HBC 366 is my favorite of the newer hop varieties. I have an IPA on tap now that has equal amounts of Columbus, Simcoe, Cascade, and HBC 366 for flavor and I’m loving it.
It’s very nice hop. As mentioned there’s more to it than just fruitiness. I used it 2 ways. Once in a 3.8% cask bitter with just 70g Equinox in the 160F whirlpool/steep. Also used it in a big IPA at a 3:2 ratio with Mosaic. Came out very nice and if you can believe it, it drowned out the Mosaic. Classic C hops, Simcoe, would all pair very nicely.
Thanks all. Sounds like the wonder hop.
You just found it’s new name 