Zappa^™ Hops

Zappa^™ represents a truly radical and non-conformist chapter in American hop cultivation, existing as a 100% native North American Humulus lupulus var. neomexicanus wild cultivar rescued from the mountains of New Mexico. Exclusively cultivated, scaled, and commercialized by CLS Farms in Washington’s Yakima Valley, this fierce, genetically distinct vine brings an entirely independent evolutionary blueprint to the modern brewhouse. Named in official partnership with the Zappa^™ family to honor the iconoclastic legacy of avant-garde rock legend Frank Zappa, the variety completely bypasses traditional European noble or standard Pacific Northwest heritage lines. For the homebrewer and craft brewer alike, it serves as the ultimate tool for experimental expression, offering a rustic botanical architecture that provides an untamed sensory option while thriving in harsh agricultural environments where standard commercial varieties struggle to survive.

The sensory footprint of Zappa^™ is just as eclectic, unbridled, and wildly non-conformist as its namesake, breaking every rule in the book to deliver an evolving flavor profile that shifts with every sip. The aromatic canopy erupts with a loud, pungent tropical foreground defined by prominent bursts of passionfruit, sweet mango, and a highly distinct, nostalgic note reminiscent of Fruity Pebbles™ cereal. This flamboyant sweetness transitions seamlessly across the palate into a complex, savory, and beautifully funky middle tier—unleashing a cooling wave of fresh garden mint, purple wildflowers, and sharp culinary spice. Grounded by a sticky undertone of damp pine resin, Zappa bridges the gap between modern tropical sweetness and rustic, untamed complexity. It functions as an elite late-kettle, whirlpool, or dry-hop weapon, drenching hop-forward recipes in a mind-bending, multi-layered oil matrix that guarantees your brew is as aromatic as it is unique.