The yins to Cascade’s yang, Centennial hops are often used in parallel with the famed citrusy varietal. Centennial hops are sometimes referred to as “Super Cascade” due to their higher bittering properties. They were first bred in 1974 as a cross between many different strains including Brewers Gold, Fuggle, East Kent Golding and Bavarian hops. The name comes from the Washington state Centennial Celebration, which occurred in 1989, just before the public release of Centennial hops in 1990. Though not as aromatic as their smaller, older brothers, their excellent blend of floral and bittering characteristics make them well suited to extra-hoppy styles. Centennial hops are a centerpiece of today’s beer flight that we call Craft Beer Crosscut 1.18.19: A Flight of Centennial.

Craft Beer Crosscut 1.18.19: A Flight of Centennial

Three Magnets Mental Block IPA

6.5% ABV

Inspired by one of Three Magnets Brewing’s favorite Michigan breweries, this beer was originally going to be called Three Hearted but they chose to avoid a possible (OK, certain) cease and desist order. But, then they couldn’t think of a name. They had, if you will, a mental block. Mental Block is brewed with 100 percent Washington grown Centennial hops for a beautiful blend of floral and citrus aromatics with a light touch of soft cotton candy.  The malt base is designed to stay as a subtle backdrop for beauty of one of the Pacific Northwest’s pioneering hop varieties, a classic and favorite and perfect to feature as a single hop due to it’s complexity and myriad flavor compounds.

Double Mountain Cool Camp IPA

6.6% ABV, 55 IBU

Double Mountain Brewery and their brewer Matt Coughlin brewed Peaks and Pints bottle shop/taproom a house IPA named after Coughlin’s favorite spot to camp in the Olympic Mountains. Simcoe and Centennial hops take the lead, with substantial additions throughout the boil (2, 5, and 3 pounds to be exact, Tacoma’s area code) with more in the hop back and dry hop. Kolsch yeast provides a lightly fruited character, supporting the hops and letting them shine. There’s enough weight in the malt bill to let some biscuit and cereal through but it’s light enough to carry along the adventure. Cool Camp IPA is built for adventure. Dank evergreen and ripe citrus lead an adventurous crew wandering through a rainforest of pines.

Boneyard Hop Venom

9% ABV, 60 IBU

With 4.5 pounds of hops per barrel Boneyard Beer’s West Coast double IPA will strike your nervous system with a venomous mix of Centennial, Simcoe, Chinook, and CTZ. Hop Venom’s delicate malt profile allows the double dry-hopped aroma of tangerine and pine to dominate. The smooth, creamy bodied Hop Venom is well balanced with super fresh hop character, pine and tangerine flavors but really well balanced that hides the alcohol. It’s known as a dangerous IPA for a reason.

Bellevue Double Red IPA

8.3% ABV, 66 IBU

Bellevue’s first, locally owned craft brewery, Bellevue Brewing Co., opened their doors in 2012. The brewery’s Double Red IPA is brewed with fresh Centennial hops with a little Bravo thrown in to applause. The malt bill of 2-Row Pale, Caramel and Munich 60 for a full-flavored malt and caramel taste balancing the tropical notes from the hops.

Fort George Vortex IPA

7.7% ABV, 97 IBU

Caught in a tornado in the Midwest while hauling their original brew system cross country from Virginia, it made sense from Fort George Brewery to whip up Vortex IPA. With a hearty 7.7% ABV unfiltered, unpasteurized organic malt spine that makes way for Simcoe, Amarillo, and Centennial hops this IPA is medium bodied with a resinous mouthfeel, grapefruit more than pine and finishes with lingering hop bitterness. This beer is straight up delicious.