OlympicvsCascade

Olympic and Cascade are popular dual purpose hops. Below you'll find a comparison of alpha and beta acids, aroma profiles and oil composition.

Olympic

Dual purpose

Alpha acid

10.6–13.8%

Beta acid

3.8–6.1%

Total oil

0.86–2.55 mL

United States

Cascade

Dual purpose

Alpha acid

4.5–9%

Beta acid

4.8–7.5%

Total oil

0.7–2.5 mL

United States

Key differences

When to pick Olympic

  • Higher alpha acid - stronger bittering

When to pick Cascade

  • Higher beta acid - smoother, longer-lasting bitterness
  • Richer, more complex aroma profile

Aroma profile and use

Shared aromas

CitrusSpicy

Only in Olympic

-

Only in Cascade

GrapefruitFloralPine

Property

PropertyOlympicCascade
Alpha acid10.6–13.8%4.5–9%
Beta acid3.8–6.1%4.8–7.5%
Co-humulone31%30–40%
Total oil0.86–2.55 mL0.7–2.5 mL
Myrcene45–55%45–60%
Humulene9–13%8–20%
Caryophyllene7–12%3–9%
Farnesene0–1%3–9%
OriginUnited StatesUnited States
PurposeDual purposeDual purpose

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