But what are the best combos? Inspired by some of the most celebrated beers on Untappd, this article explores hop pairings that create tropical explosions, citrus blasts, and everything in between.
The best hop combinations aren’t just about individual varieties—they’re about how those hops interact. Whether you’re recreating a famous beer or crafting something new, these pairings are guaranteed to help you brew hazy IPA greatness.
After diving deep into the hop profiles of the most-loved hazy IPAs on Untappd, some combinations consistently shine above the rest. These pairings aren't just popular—they're game-changing. If you’re looking to create a hazy IPA that’s a juicy, aromatic masterpiece, these hop combinations offer the perfect inspiration. Let’s break down these winning blends and the beers that made them iconic.
If any hop pairing has achieved legendary status in the world of hazy IPAs, it’s the union of Citra and Mosaic. Few duos are as iconic or influential as this one. Together, these hops have come to define the hazy IPA style, offering a perfect balance of juicy tropical fruit, zesty citrus brightness, and just the right hint of dankness.
When it comes to showcasing this pairing, Focal Banger by The Alchemist stands out as a masterclass in hop synergy. This well-balanced IPA offers an explosion of juicy tropical fruit, vibrant citrus notes, and a touch of dank character. It’s no wonder this beer has earned a cult following and become a benchmark for the style.
For both the whirlpool and dry hop stages, a simple 50/50 ratio of Citra to Mosaic often serves as an excellent starting point to achieve a harmonious blend. This balance allows Citra’s vibrant tropical and citrus notes to shine while Mosaic contributes its distinctive layers of berry sweetness, earthy pine, and a subtle dank edge.
The result is a well-rounded flavor and aroma profile that appeals to a wide range of beer enthusiasts. However, every brewer’s palate and goals are unique, so don’t hesitate to experiment. Adjusting the ratios—whether leaning more on Citra for brighter, fruit-forward tones or Mosaic for added complexity and depth—can help you dial in the perfect expression of this legendary pairing.
Another two-hop combination that stands out for its remarkable synergy is the pairing of Citra and Galaxy. Citra contributes its signature burst of vibrant citrus and tropical fruit, creating a bright and reliable foundation. Meanwhile, Galaxy elevates the flavor profile with its bold Australian character. Together, this dynamic duo forms a winning combination that consistently impresses brewers and beer enthusiasts alike, making it a go-to choice for crafting flavorful, unforgettable brews.
For a masterclass in what Citra and Galaxy can achieve, look no further than Eugene’s Axe by Fidens Brewing Co. This hazy IPA is a stunning showcase of the synergy between these two powerhouse hops, delivering a luscious, tropical punch that captivates the senses. All of this is perfectly wrapped in a smooth, creamy body and balanced finish, making Eugene’s Axe a quintessential example of how thoughtful hop combinations can elevate a beer to greatness.
To harness the full potential of this powerhouse pairing, careful planning is essential. Start by incorporating Citra throughout the brewing process—mash, whirlpool, and dry hop. This establishes a strong, fruit-forward backbone that ensures balance and consistency in your beer. Save Galaxy for the final dry hop, where its bold notes can truly shine without overwhelming the other flavors.
One of the keys to successfully brewing with Galaxy is understanding its intensity. According to Steve Parker, co-founder of Fidens Brewing Co., keeping Galaxy under 30% of the hop bill is often ideal. Its potent flavors can quickly dominate a beer, so using it sparingly ensures the overall profile remains balanced while still delivering Galaxy’s signature punch.
When it comes to Galaxy, the mantra is clear: less is more. By embracing this approach, you can craft a beer that highlights the unique strengths of both Citra and Galaxy, creating a brew that’s explosively juicy yet impeccably balanced—a true testament to the magic of this iconic duo.
When it comes to hop blends that stand the test of time, the combination of Simcoe, Citra, and Mosaic is nothing short of legendary. This trio has earned its place as a cornerstone of modern brewing, consistently delivering a harmonious blend of flavors that appeals to a wide range of palates. With its ability to strike the perfect balance between earthy, citrusy, and fruity notes, this combination creates a multi-dimensional profile that is both complex and approachable.
Hill Farmstead’s Society & Solitude #8 is the ultimate showcase of this legendary trio. This hazy IPA demonstrates how Simcoe, Citra, and Mosaic can work together to create a beer that feels both innovative and rooted in tradition. The result is a harmonious brew with notes of earthy pine, citrus brightness, and juicy berry undertones.
Simcoe lays the foundation for this legendary trio with its earthy pine notes and subtle resinous qualities, offering a robust backbone that anchors the beer’s flavor profile. Citra follows with a burst of vibrant citrus zest and juicy tropical fruit, infusing brightness and refreshing energy into the mix. Mosaic, the final piece of the puzzle, ties everything together with its ripe berry sweetness, hints of tropical mango and papaya, and a touch of dank complexity for added depth. Together, these hops form a seamless harmony, creating beers that are exceptionally balanced yet brimming with layers of flavor and aroma.
To capture the full magic of this combination, aim for a balanced approach by using Simcoe, Citra, and Mosaic in equal parts during both the whirlpool and dry hop stages. This ensures that each hop’s unique character shines without overpowering the others, resulting in a well-rounded beer that delights the palate with every sip. The interplay of earthy, citrusy, and fruity notes in this blend is a testament to its timeless appeal, making it a staple for brewers and a favorite among craft beer enthusiasts.
For fans of bold, layered tropical flavors, the combination of Citra, Nelson Sauvin, and Galaxy stands as a masterpiece of complexity and depth. This powerhouse trio brings together the best qualities of each hop, creating a flavor profile that is as dynamic as it is harmonious. This combination strikes a perfect balance between brightness, juiciness, and refinement, making it a favorite among brewers who want to push the boundaries of hop-forward beers.
Monkish Brewing’s Foggier Window is the epitome of this hop trio’s potential. Known for their expertly crafted hazy IPAs, Monkish uses Citra, Galaxy, and Nelson Sauvin to create a beer that bursts with tropical complexity while maintaining a sense of balance and refinement. It’s juicy, aromatic, and endlessly captivating.
The beauty of this combination lies in its adaptability. Crafting a Citra-forward beer lets its citrusy brightness and tropical character take center stage, creating a juicy and approachable profile. Alternatively, a Nelson-forward approach highlights its elegant, wine-like flavors, adding sophistication and depth. Galaxy, with its bold intensity, works best as an accent hop—more of a “backup singer” than the star—enhancing the blend without overshadowing the other hops.
A slightly higher percentage of Nelson Sauvin can amplify the beer’s refined New Zealand character, while a Citra-dominant blend ensures vibrant, fruit-forward appeal. For the best results, use Citra and Nelson Sauvin in the whirlpool to build a strong aromatic base. Save Galaxy for the dry hop, where its bold tropical flavors can add depth and complexity without overpowering the balance.
Experiment with ratios to find the perfect harmony, tailoring the profile to your style. This approach ensures a beer that’s layered, juicy, and unforgettable, showcasing the best of this dynamic trio.
What a great combo! If you’re searching for a hop combination that seamlessly balances juicy tropical fruit with a dank, earthy kick, Peacharine, Strata, and Citra are a match made in brewing heaven. This dynamic trio blends the best of both worlds, offering vibrant, fruity brightness alongside deep, resinous undertones that add complexity and intrigue.
Citra provides its signature burst of citrus zest, mango, and passionfruit, forming a lively and approachable foundation. Strata brings a unique edge with its dank herbal notes, hints of ripe berries, and cannabis-like aromas, delivering depth that keeps every sip exciting. Finally, Peacharine contributes sweet, juicy peach and nectarine tones, tying the blend together with a lush, tropical finish.
Brujos Brewing’s Anathema is a collaboration beer with The Eighth State Brewing Company and is certainly a stellar example of what the Peacharine, Strata, and Citra combination can achieve. The result is a beer that bursts with vibrant aromas of passionfruit, mango, peach, and citrus from the first pour. Its layered profile delivers a harmonious mix of fruity sweetness and resinous depth, making it both refreshing and compelling.
This trio thrives on contrast and complement, with each hop playing a distinct role to craft a beer that’s vibrant, layered, and truly memorable. Citra serves as an excellent foundation, offering its signature burst of citrus zest and juicy tropical fruit to create a bright, approachable base. It anchors the flavor profile with balance and versatility, ensuring the beer remains refreshing and inviting.
Strata, on the other hand, introduces bold resinous character with dank passionfruit, ripe berries, and a cannabis-like herbal edge. Its complexity adds intrigue and depth to the mix, providing a contrasting element to Citra’s clean, juicy brightness. Finally, Peacharine contributes intense stone fruit sweetness, bringing notes of peach and nectarine that enhance the tropical dimension of the beer.
However, Peacharine’s potency requires a careful hand, as it can easily overwhelm the profile if overused. To strike the perfect balance, we recommend starting with a 50/25/25 ratio, favoring Citra to maintain a solid, fruity backbone while using Strata and Peacharine in equal parts to complement and add complexity.
This split allows Citra to shine as the centerpiece while the other two hops work as flavorful accents. However, the beauty of this combination lies in its adaptability—adjust the ratios to suit your personal preferences or the specific style of beer you’re brewing.
Nelson Sauvin and Rakau form a simple yet extraordinarily powerful pairing, perfectly capturing the vibrant essence of New Zealand hops. This Southern Hemisphere duo embodies the spirit of New Zealand’s hop-growing excellence, delivering a flavor experience that is as complex as it is refreshing. Together, they create beers that are both exotic and invigorating, offering a flavor profile that is bright, juicy, and deeply layered.
Garage Project’s Sunrise Valley is a shining example of what the combination of Nelson Sauvin and Rakau can achieve. This hazy IPA is an aromatic delight, offering a nuanced yet approachable drinking experience that celebrates the unparalleled character of New Zealand hops. Packed with juicy flavors of gooseberry, white grape, stone fruit, and a subtle touch of resinous pine, it serves as a delightful homage to New Zealand’s unique hop terroir.
Nelson Sauvin shines with its signature vinous character, offering refined notes of gooseberry, white grape, and citrus zest that bring an elegant, wine-like quality to your brew. Rakau, on the other hand, adds depth and balance with lush stone fruit, ripe pear, and a touch of resinous pine, enhancing the blend with tropical sweetness and orchard fruit richness.
For a balanced and versatile beer, we recommend starting with a 70/30 split favoring Nelson Sauvin. This ratio emphasizes Nelson’s sophisticated, wine-like character while allowing Rakau’s fruity sweetness to shine as a complementary accent. If you’re looking for a juicier, more tropical-forward profile, consider flipping the balance to let Rakau take center stage, highlighting its lush stone fruit and pear notes.
Let’s be honest—this hop combination made the list primarily to give us an excuse to talk about Tree House Brewing’s Juice Machine, a truly exceptional beer. While Amarillo, Citra, and Galaxy may not be the most hyped trio in the brewing world, Juice Machine shows just how spectacular they can be when handled by a masterful brewery.
This hazy IPA highlights the tropical intensity of Citra and Galaxy, with Amarillo stepping in as a supporting act to provide soft orange sweetness and floral brightness. The result? An intensely juicy beer with vibrant layers of citrus, tropical fruit, and a smooth, pillowy mouthfeel. It’s a testament to Tree House Brewing’s ability to craft unforgettable brews.
To make the most of this trio, focus on balancing the hops based on their unique strengths. Tree House Brewing’s Juice Machine showcases how Amarillo can serve as an excellent accent hop, complementing the bold tropical flavors of Citra and Galaxy. Similarly, while Galaxy is often known for its tropical intensity, it’s also widely used as an accent hop in blends, adding richness without dominating the profile.
Given the roles of each hop, a 60/20/20 split favoring Citra is a great starting point for this hop combination. With Citra at 60%, you’ll maintain a strong, fruit-forward base, while Amarillo and Galaxy, each at 20%, provide complementary layers of complexity and tropical intensity.
By using Amarillo and Galaxy as accent hops and leaning into Citra’s vibrant character, this hop combination offers a perfectly balanced brew that’s juicy, layered, and incredibly satisfying. It’s an ideal starting point for crafting beers that showcase tropical flavors with nuanced depth.
We love Simcoe, and we love New Zealand hops, so it’s no surprise that we had to include a hop combination that shines as brightly as this one. The blend of Simcoe, Citra, and Motueka is a creative and dynamic choice, perfect for those who crave a hazy IPA with layers of complexity and a touch of the unexpected. Each sip reveals a unique and evolving flavor profile that keeps drinkers coming back for more.
Art is Hard by North Park Beer Company is a stunning showcase of what this trio can achieve. This hazy IPA masterfully balances the earthy and resinous character of Simcoe, the bright tropical citrus of Citra, and the zesty, herbal freshness of Motueka. The result is a beer with vibrant notes of pine, lime, and tropical fruit, complemented by a refreshing twist of lemon-lime zest and subtle herbal undertones. It’s a brew that evolves on the palate, making every sip a true adventure.
There’s no need to overcomplicate things with this trio. The best approach is to go for an equal distribution of Simcoe, Citra, and Motueka, allowing each hop to shine equally and contribute to a perfectly balanced beer. This equal ratio ensures that no single hop overpowers the others, letting their distinct qualities work together seamlessly. The result is a flavor profile that’s dynamic yet approachable, with layers of complexity and harmony in every sip.
For added depth, consider experimenting with ratios. A slightly higher proportion of Motueka in the dry hop can amplify its lime and herbal qualities, giving the beer a refreshing twist. This blend offers endless creative possibilities, making it a favorite for brewers who want to push boundaries while maintaining balance.
Citra’s dominance in so many top-rated beers is no coincidence—it’s a testament to its unmatched versatility and its ability to elevate nearly any recipe to greatness. This hop has become the cornerstone of modern craft brewing, consistently delivering the juicy, vibrant flavors that beer enthusiasts crave. Whether you’re crafting a hazy IPA bursting with tropical fruit, a fruited pale ale with bright citrus highlights, or even a crisp lager with subtle hop complexity, Citra remains a go-to ingredient that guarantees exceptional results.
Few beers showcase the pure potential of Citra like Other Half Brewing’s All Citra Everything. This hazy Imperial IPA is a masterclass in single-hop brewing, putting Citra front and center to highlight its incredible range. From its bold, juicy notes of sweet orange, mango, and lychee to its delicate floral undertones, every sip delivers a burst of tropical complexity wrapped in a smooth, cohesive package. All Citra Everything is a shining example of why this hop is so beloved—it proves that Citra doesn’t just enhance beers; it can define them.
At its core, Citra is a hop that brewers and drinkers alike can depend on. Its versatility makes it a perfect fit for any brewing stage—whether you’re using it in the whirlpool to build a juicy, tropical foundation or in the dry hop to unleash intense aromatics. Citra’s unique flavor profile, with its combination of mango, passionfruit, grapefruit, and citrus zest, offers a rare balance of boldness and approachability that can stand alone or harmonize beautifully with other hops.
Citra guarantees crowd-pleasing flavor while leaving plenty of room for creativity and experimentation. Its consistent quality and high oil content make it an essential tool for brewers, ensuring impactful results in everything from hop-forward IPAs to delicate lagers.
Whether you’re following a classic recipe or exploring new brewing boundaries, Citra has proven time and again that it’s the ultimate choice for crafting beers that leave a lasting impression. Its role in so many iconic beers isn’t just a matter of chance—it’s the undeniable mark of a hop that has become synonymous with greatness in craft brewing.
