Chinook
Bold Pine & Grapefruit • Spicy Resinous Punch • Old-School West Coast Character
Chinook is a classic American high-alpha hop prized for its bold pine, grapefruit, and spice — the rugged, resinous character at the heart of old-school West Coast brewing. Released in 1985, it brought serious bittering power and unapologetic personality to early craft IPAs and remains a favorite for brewers who like their hops with an edge.
With alpha acids of 13%, Chinook is a true dual-purpose hop: a potent, economical bittering charge early in the boil and a distinctive piney-grapefruit aroma hop late.
Flavor & Aroma Profile
- Bold pine and resin
- Sharp grapefruit zest
- Warm, peppery spice
- Earthy, woodsy depth
- Assertive, lingering bitterness
Used for bittering alone, Chinook brings a firm, slightly rustic edge. Pushed into the whirlpool and dry hop, it delivers the sticky pine-and-grapefruit profile that defines classic American IPAs and hoppy winter ales.
Brewing Applications
Chinook is a staple ingredient in many assertive American styles, including:
- West Coast IPA
- American Pale Ale
- Double IPA
- American Stout
- Winter / Holiday Ale
- American Barleywine
It also adds welcome pine structure to dark, roasty beers, where its resinous bite complements chocolate and coffee malt notes.
Usage Recommendations
For a 5-gallon batch, 0.5–1 oz at 60 minutes provides assertive bitterness; another 1 oz in the whirlpool or dry hop layers in pine and grapefruit. Use a light hand for balanced ambers and stouts, or lean in hard for an old-school, resin-forward IPA.
Chinook with Cascade and Centennial is the definitive classic C-hop blend — a West Coast IPA in three ingredients.
Specifications
- Alpha Acid: 13%
- Flavor Notes: Pine, grapefruit, spicy, resin
- Typical Use: Dual-purpose
- Common Additions: 60 min, whirlpool, dry hop
- Substitutes: Columbus, Simcoe
- Beer Styles: West Coast IPAs, pale ales, stouts, winter ales
Whether you're crafting a throwback West Coast IPA or adding pine bite to a robust stout, Chinook delivers the bold, resinous character that built American craft brewing.
Description
Bold Pine & Grapefruit • Spicy Resinous Punch • Old-School West Coast Character
Chinook is a classic American high-alpha hop prized for its bold pine, grapefruit, and spice — the rugged, resinous character at the heart of old-school West Coast brewing. Released in 1985, it brought serious bittering power and unapologetic personality to early craft IPAs and remains a favorite for brewers who like their hops with an edge.
With alpha acids of 13%, Chinook is a true dual-purpose hop: a potent, economical bittering charge early in the boil and a distinctive piney-grapefruit aroma hop late.
Flavor & Aroma Profile
- Bold pine and resin
- Sharp grapefruit zest
- Warm, peppery spice
- Earthy, woodsy depth
- Assertive, lingering bitterness
Used for bittering alone, Chinook brings a firm, slightly rustic edge. Pushed into the whirlpool and dry hop, it delivers the sticky pine-and-grapefruit profile that defines classic American IPAs and hoppy winter ales.
Brewing Applications
Chinook is a staple ingredient in many assertive American styles, including:
- West Coast IPA
- American Pale Ale
- Double IPA
- American Stout
- Winter / Holiday Ale
- American Barleywine
It also adds welcome pine structure to dark, roasty beers, where its resinous bite complements chocolate and coffee malt notes.
Usage Recommendations
For a 5-gallon batch, 0.5–1 oz at 60 minutes provides assertive bitterness; another 1 oz in the whirlpool or dry hop layers in pine and grapefruit. Use a light hand for balanced ambers and stouts, or lean in hard for an old-school, resin-forward IPA.
Chinook with Cascade and Centennial is the definitive classic C-hop blend — a West Coast IPA in three ingredients.
Specifications
- Alpha Acid: 13%
- Flavor Notes: Pine, grapefruit, spicy, resin
- Typical Use: Dual-purpose
- Common Additions: 60 min, whirlpool, dry hop
- Substitutes: Columbus, Simcoe
- Beer Styles: West Coast IPAs, pale ales, stouts, winter ales
Whether you're crafting a throwback West Coast IPA or adding pine bite to a robust stout, Chinook delivers the bold, resinous character that built American craft brewing.
