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.