IPAs like Bear Republic's Racer 5 and Coronado Brewing Company's Islander IPA have a distinct guava-like scent and flavor character. Is there a particular variety of hops that produces this, or is it a yeast or some more complex combination?
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What you're tasting is the distinct flavor of west-coast hops. Most people liken it to a citrus, grapefruit, or sometimes orange peel aroma and flavor. You might be getting guava from the combination of tangy hops and a sweet, sugar-cookie base from the malt. Racer 5 uses Centennial, Chinook, Cascade, and Columbus hops. I've heard that Islander IPA uses Centennial Hops, among others. Amarillo and Cascade are generally regarded as having the most citrus-like flavors. To a lesser extent, Simcoe, Summit, and Chinook will have those qualities. I think you'll find that brewing with any of the above, particularly Cascade or Columbus, and use heavy doses of late boil hops, along with some dry hopping, your beers will have the same nose and taste. |
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There is not a lot of information about the Islander IPA but Bear Republic uses Chinook, Cascade, Columbus and Centennial. My guess is that what you are associating with guava is the citrus/fruity character of Centennial and Cascade, although I'm sure there is a combination of all four. The aroma and flavor of centennial reminds me if mandarin oranges in beers like Bell's Two Hearted. The Chinook and Columbus will add some piney notes along with some citrus. |
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My buddy did a Pliny the Elder clone but he used 100% Simcoe. This thing came out like an orange bomb in the nose! It was actually really great. Simcoes can be hard to find if they're not in season though. I'm not even sure if Hopshack or other such places have them (and unfortunately can't check b/c my work's internet blocks them!) |
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FYI the aroma you're getting is usually referred to as tropical or tropical fruits. It's related to the grapefruit which is common in citrusy American hops, but it's not the same. If you google around for it you might find some info, but most of these hops will just be listed as "citrusy". I think this is because it's not one type and you're more likely to get it in beers that layer the hops, using 2-3+ different kinds of hops in late editions and dry-hopping. So it's an interaction of the different aromas/flavors. I did a big single hop tasting recently and didn't find much of this in any single-hopped beers - though there was plenty of citrus and evergreen from American varieties and plenty of berries from British varieties. I've only noticed it in beers with several types, for example Green Flash Imperial IPA. You might also want to look into NZ hops. |
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Brandon nailed it for Racer 5. There's also a new variety of hops on the scene that you might want to try: Citra hops. They're also tropical fruity and new enough that it will make people wonder which hops you brewed with. |
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