Lineage

Skyrocket is a rebirth of an old variety molded by Mother Nature and the microclimate of Gorst Valley.  She is very much a tropical fruit experience with little to no piney resin of her twin, Chinook.  We owe the uniqueness of Skyrocket to a process called epigenetics, or the impact of environment on genetic expression.  Not all varieties exhibit an aroma response but Skyrocket is so different that she needed a new identity.  So far only hops from an exclusive region meet the Skyrocket claims and we’re proud to offer it to our customers.

Bittering Skill Level:  Low

Aroma Skill Level: Low

Bittering

Skyrocket packs a considerable alpha acid punch with little aggressiveness or astringency.  Early additions provide a very clean, smooth bitterness without the typical vegetal taste.  Late additions still provide isomerization due to the high alpha percentage but will also lend more deep tropical fruit notes.  Low terpene levels means less solvent-like astringency lending to the smooth, crisp bitterness.  Overall Skyrocket is easy to use on the hot side.

Aroma

Skyrocket shines brightest as an aroma hop.  Simply put, Skyrocket can be a tropical fruit orgasm.  Even just prior to harvest the Skyrocket field aroma is easily noticed just driving by.  Climate and growing conditions increase the thiol (sulfur) containing molecules responsible for most of the tropical fruit aromas like mango, papaya, and pineapple as well as heavy melon.  Increased linalool, geraniol, nerol, and citronellol raise the perfume and sweet fruit aromas.  All of these compounds are very volatile so they should be added to the cold side for biggest impact.

Alpha Acid

12.5% to 15.5%
Wisconsin average 14.2% (5 year average)

Beta Acid

4.0% to 6.0%
Wisconsin average 5.2% (5 year average)

Oil Content

2.0 ml/100gm
Wisconsin average 2.0-2.3 ml/100gm (5 year average)

Oil Breakdown

Myrcene ~ 60%
Humulene ~ 10%
Caryophyllene ~ 5%
Farnesene ~ trace

Hot Side Aroma Profile

Skyrocket aroma is very gentle when added to the hot side, especially very early additions.  Low Humulene and Caryophyllene means very little in the way of herbal hoppiness but just enough to notice.  It can easily be overcome by dry hop or late hop additions.  High myrcene and light thiol compounds will flash off considerably so expect very little contribution from them.  Heavier sulfur molecules will remain if added mid to late boil and lends a deep, over-ripe fruitiness.

Pairs Well With

Most other hops.  Especially Galena, Brewer’s Gold.

Interferences

Skyrocket aroma contributions on the hot side can be shadowed by more aggressive hops like CTZ, Warrior, etc.

Cool Side Aroma Profile

Skyrocket is a superstar as a dry hop, mostly due to her high small molecule content.  Two groups of compounds are responsible for her impressive tropical fruit presence: perfumy linalool and geraniol family and the rich, dank sweetness of the thiol and mercaptan family (sulfurs).  Combining the two groups makes for an explosive tropical fruit orgasm.  Too much thiol can create a cat-pee aroma but adding the sweet perfume molecules (linalool, geraniol, citronellol, etc) attenuates the solvent-like thiols and brings out their more ripe-fruit character.

Pairs Well With

Cascade, Centennial, Simcoe, Amarillo, Citra, Mosaic, El Dorado, Galena, Brewer’s Gold

Interferences

Avoid pairing with noble varieties as the assertive nature of Skyrocket will mask most contributions from more delicate varieties