The Zodiac Signs as Hops
You may look to your birth chart for guidance on your everyday life, but have you ever wondered what kind of beer you should be reaching for or brewing based on your placements? There are connections to be drawn between your astrological being and your beer preferences if you take the time to get a bit creative. Let’s tap into it.
Aquarius (Jan. 20 — Feb. 18)
Aquarius is independent and pensive. They thrive in solving problems, and they see the world as a puzzle to figure out. Often needing time to withdraw, Aquarius is powerful when finding time to recharge and evaluate the world around it without the influence of others. When seeking out the Aquarius of hops, you’d aim for a curious and motivated contender that shines in a single-hop application. Agnus fits the bill. Boasting a grassy, herbal aroma, this hop is known to offer a broad portfolio of herbal, spicy notes and a clean bitterness that stands out. Alliteration aside, Agnus and Aquarius mirror each other in their intense drives to remain individual and thrive in their eccentricity.
Pisces (Feb. 19 — March 20)
Intuitive, emotional, and gentle, Pisces brings a soft sense of empathy to the astrological arena. Crystal is fairly reminiscent — it’s a hop low in alpha acids and therefore bitterness, and offers a woodsy, spicy aroma portfolio. It’s popular in light lagers and goldens and is typically used to subtly add flavor and body to brews. Like Crystal, Pisces contributes in a tactful way, and boasts an emotional connection to others that makes them versatile and widely-appreciated.
Aries (March 21 — April 19)
You don’t want to be on Aries’ bad side. The cardinal fire sign brings an aggressive energy to everything it does, always choosing action over stagnation. Aries is typically a natural, confident leader but can be quite impulsive. When comparing Aries to a hop, you’d want to start by looking for a full-bodied, boldly-flavored hop that blazes trails in brewing. Look no further than Triumph (I mean, it’s in the name), an intense, fruity hop with a subtle pine flavor. It’s popular in both single-hop and blended applications, much like the problem-solving, adaptable Aries.
Taurus (April 20 — May 20)
Reliable and grounded, Taurus can be depended on to tell you how it is. Taurus is committed to what they see as worthy and willing to stick to decisions once they’ve been made. Like the devoted and task-driven earth sign, Willamette is relied on to add a balanced blend of bitter and earthy flavors to any brew it’s added to. Strong in aroma, Willamette offers a resolvedly herbaceous vibe. It also stores and packs well, making it a solid choice for the strategic brewer. It’s one of the most common aroma hops in the U.S., and, like Taurus, fits well in many situations when applied correctly.
Gemini (May 21 — June 20)
Gemini is known for its flexibility. Some see the mutable air sign as two-faced or inconsistent, while others view the sign as curious and energetic. However you slice it, Gemini boasts an unquenchable need to explore and a distinct artistic streak. Someone with a Gemini sun is looking to see everything the world has to offer. So when comparing this sign to hops, it’s a no-brainer to choose Chinook. One of the most commonly used hops, Chinook has left its mark all over the beer world. It’s a dual-purpose hop offering deep fruity and citrusy notes and a lingering bitter aftertaste. A favorite of many brewers and drinkers, this bold hop is well-applied in many beer styles with room for interpretation. Gemini in a glass.
Cancer (June 21 — July 22)
Notorious for being emotional, Cancers are often considered sensitive and moody. But diving a bit deeper, you’ll see that they’re intuitive, loyal, and loving. Cancer strives to keep the peace and thrives when everyone in their ecosystem gets along. Simcoe is popular among the brewing community, offering a fruity aroma and earthy undertone. This hop is rather unique — most brewers claim there’s no perfect substitute for it. While it’s a hallmark of IPAs and double IPAs, it’s also used in tandem with other hops to achieve other styles. Like Cancer, Simcoe easily connects with others and creates good from the connection.
Leo (July 23 — Aug. 22)
In the early 70s, a new hop called Cascade was released to the American public. Planted in Oregon, this newcomer was the first American-bred aroma hop. Not unlike the confident, pioneering Leo, Cascade boasts a natural sense of leadership. Coors Brewing picked the hop up, later abandoning it for being a bit too strong for their light beer. The spicy, floral hop eventually found a home in some smaller craft operations, and thus began its rise to prominence in brewing. Just like its hoppy equal, Leo finds a way to fit into any situation and win people over with its charm. Always up for problem solving, Leo is driven toward growth and achievement. That’s reminiscent of a hop that singlehandedly began the single-hopped beer movement.
Virgo (Aug. 23 — Sept. 22)
Sometimes, the methodical approach is the best way to attack a situation. At least, for folks with Virgo sun placements, that’s usually true. A sign that has trouble accepting emotions for what they are, Virgo is prone to diving deep into reason and sifting through all the details before making judgments. Much like the conservative, organized earth sign, Saaz is a hop that provides structure and definition. Saaz is one of the 4 original noble hops, which were used in the brewing of low-alcohol, high-bitterness Medieval beers (read more about noble hops here!). Earthy without being too strong, Saaz contributes a calculated quality to any beer it’s added to.
Libra (Sept. 23 — Oct. 22)
Columbus, or CTZ, hops boast balance. Offering a combination of bitterness and oiliness, the hop hits the palate in an herbal and floral yet pungent and intense fashion. It offers a burst of energy showcased against a pensive background. This hop is a natural counterpart to Libra, a diplomatic sign known for its respect of the scales of justice. Libra is all about harmony and cooperating with others to create a product. A dual-purpose hop like CTZ works well in a single-hop application, but it shines alongside other hops by adding its shrewd bitterness to a brew in a Libra-like reach for balance.
Scorpio (Oct. 23 — Nov. 21)
Scorpios have a reputation. Generally seen as passionate, secretive, and stubborn, Scorpio boasts an assertive demeanor and a coolly mysterious exterior. When seeking a hop to evoke the same mood that a self-assured Scorpio gives off, the astute beer drinker would be wise to turn to Herkules. A German hop bred from Hallertau and Hull varietals, Herkules offers a spicy, piney hoppiness on the aroma front and a strong bitter character due to its high alpha acid content. That’s all to say that it sees a vision through in a smooth, assertive way. It offers its intensity to any beer it’s added to. Sounds like a Scorpio.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 — Dec. 21)
Typically freewheeling and enthusiastic, Sagittarius is likely to wander and generally driven to travel. Curious and social, Sagittarius brings a bold personality and impulsive sense of honesty that emphasizes their connection to freedom. When looking to align the mutable fire sign with a hoppy counterpart, one may find Citra to be a match. Sought after for its prominent citrus notes and fruity hop aroma, Citra isn’t for the bitterness-averse drinker. It offers an intense hop-bomb experience when added to a brew, and much like Sagittarius, its enthusiasm isn’t universally adored. But when contributed effectively and mindfully to a situation, both Sagittarius and Citra bring an experience founded in exploration.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 — Jan. 19)
Admiral offers a bitterness with a side of citrus and herbal notes and works well as a compliment to other hops. Not unlike the U.K. hop, Capricorn brings a level discipline and assertive knowledge to any situation it’s added to. One must use caution and balance while adding Admiral to a beer as it “can be easily overpowering,” according to Brooklyn Brew Shop. Capricorn is no different. Add a couple Capricorns to a room of other signs and you’ve got a well-balanced social situation. Dominate the environment with Capricorn energy, and things may get too headstrong quickly.
