Some hops burst onto the scene with trendy brews, hang out for a few years, and poof, they are gone. But not our friend Centennial.
The Centennial hop has been holding its own since the early days of the craft beer revolution. It was first bred in 1974 and introduced in 1990 by the USBA as a “Super Cascade” known for its amper-up citrus and floral character. Centennial is the hop equivalent of an old-school warhorse: it’s strong, balanced, and built to lead the charge.
Over the last 30 years, Centennial hops have become a core ingredient in countless classic IPAs, thanks to their powerful aroma, clean bitterness, and versatility.
Building a beer with bold hop presence and big character? Centennial will help you brew it up with courage.
Flavor + Aroma Profile: Bold Citrus & Balanced Backbone
The beauty of Centennial is that it doesn’t try to be everything. It found what it’s good at and nails it every time. The aroma is bright and punchy, like fresh-squeezed grapefruit with a bouquet of wildflowers. It’s citrus-forward, but not at the expense of depth. There’s earthiness here. Notes of spice and a little pine can be found in every sip. It’s that balance that’s kept Centennial relevant for decades.
Centennial brews can expect notes of:
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Grapefruit
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Lemon peel
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Floral (think spring blooms, not grandma’s perfume)
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Fresh-cut pine
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Soft spice or herb
At Hops Direct, we encourage our customers to play around with Centennial's powers. Used in early additions, Centennial offers a crisp, clean bitterness. Later in the boil or as a dry hop, it explodes with citrus and floral aroma. If you’re aiming for structure and bold flavor that doesn’t go off the rails, Centennial is a reliable choice, always.
Centennial Hop Stats
Here’s what you’re working with when you choose Centennial:
Because it’s so balanced, Centennial is an ideal base for hop layering, giving even the best beers more dimension. It pairs perfectly with Citra, Simcoe, Cascade, Amarillo, Chinook, and Columbus, all of which can be found right here at Hops Direct.
Best Beer Styles for Centennial
As 5th-generation hope farmers, we’ve been growing Centennial for years. We love how it shines in American-style ales and encourage our brewers to try it when they want that hop-forward flavor with some floral life. If you’re on the hunt for something flexible, assertive, and incredibly dependable, you’ve found it.
American IPAs – Grapefruit and pine make it a cornerstone of the style.
Pale Ales – Classic combo of bitterness and citrus.
Amber Ales – Adds brightness to malt-forward beers.
Porters – Surprising twist; used in moderation for a little citrus bite.
Blonde Ales & Wheats – For a fresh, floral kick that doesn’t overpower.
Looking to try before you buy? Check out these familiar staples that put Centennial to the test.
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Two Heart Ale – Bell’s Brewery (MI)
100% Centennial. One of the most beloved American IPAs ever. Grapefruit, pine, balanced bitterness—this beer is Centennial.
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Sierra Nevada Celebration IPA – Sierra Nevada Brewing (CA)
A seasonal classic that uses Centennial alongside Cascade and Chinook for a rich, resinous holiday IPA.
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Stone IPA – Stone Brewing (CA)
Centennial is a key player in this aggressive IPA’s hop bill: big bitterness, bold citrus.
You’ll also find Centennial in countless homebrew recipes and small-batch IPAs because it’s a brewer’s best friend.
Why Buy Centennial Hops at Hops Direct?
Whether you’re brewing your first Paler Ale or re-creating an award-winning IPA, our family-owned operation in the Yakima Valley has Centennial hops ready to find a brew.
Here are Hops Direct, we have cut out the middleman. We grow, process, and ship our own hops, ensuring top-tier freshness at a price that’s brewer-friendly because you deserve it.
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Available in: T-90 Pellets, Whole Leaf, and Extract
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Packaging Sizes: From 1 lb to 11 lb and larger (44 lb) for commercial needs
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Freshly harvested and farm-direct from Yakima Valley
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Stored cold, shipped fast
👉 Shop Centennial Hops here. (insert product page link)
Because we grow and process our hops ourselves, you’re getting the freshest Centennial available—without the distributor markup.
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Available in: T-90 Pellets
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Packaging Sizes: 1 lb, 11 lb, and more for commercial brewers
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Farm-direct freshness
About Hops Direct
We’ve been growing hops for five generations in the heart of Yakima Valley. When you buy from Hops Direct, you’re not getting warehouse leftovers. You’re getting hops straight from our farm, packaged carefully, and ready for your next brew day. Plus, you’re supporting a small, family-owned business.
