• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Celebration Generation
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Shop
  • Costuming
  • Spandex
  • Gluten-Free
  • Autism
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Us
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Shop
  • Costuming
  • Gluten-Free
  • Autism
  • Contact Us
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Media
  • Join us on Social Media - Food

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • Join us on Social Media - Costuming, Etc

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Cooking with Hops

    Hoppy IPA Pickles Recipe

    Published: Mar 18, 2021

    Note: This site is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for the site to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.

    Sharing is caring!

    • Yummly
    • Reddit
    • Email
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Tumblr
    Jump to Recipe -

    Hoppy IPA Pickles - Sour, as bitter as you want them to be, full of bright hop flavour - An excellent gift for the beer lover in your life!

    Originally published September 6, 2012. Updated on 3/18/2021

    3 jars of hoppy IPA pickles in a row, Hop flowers are visible in the jars, which are against a black background.
    We’ve had some weird luck, when it comes to growing hops.

    We started them out a year before we bought our current house, and then spontaneously decided to move before the next season.

    Pulling them up and moving them isn't something they really enjoy, apparently.

    Then, we got hit by a tornado after we transplanted them.

    Pretty much every piece of crap debris in the neighborhood was thrown on top of them... again, not the most ideal living conditions, especially on top of the recent move/transplant!

    If that weren't enough, the roofers ended up trampling them into non-existence.

    They did try to grow again after we had pulled the debris off, but were no match for the crew working to make our house liveable. RIP, hops.

    Hop bines growing over a trellis. They are covered with light green hop cones.

    Those bines that are threatening to take over our upstairs mini deck? Those are first year hops, doing *way* better than we ever thought they would.

    Growing Hops, Take 2

    So, this year we tried again... and were met with weird conditions.

    Pretty dry, weird fluctuations in heat, etc. Given that we were starting from scratch again, we didn't have our hopes (hops?) up!

    ... and then, they tried to take over the house. They really flourished - maybe Mother Nature is feeling guilty for the hell she put us through last year? Apology accepted, I guess...

    So we harvested the hops recently, and it was around the same time that I had decided that I am obsessed with canning all of a sudden. (Can "canning" be the next "cupcakes"? Now? Please?)

    2 jars of hoppy IPA pickles, stacked, Hop flowers are visible in the jars, which are against a black background.

    Pickling Hops... and Everything Else

    A trip to the farmer's market inspired one of our famous brainstorm sessions, which produced some awesome ideas of what I should try.

    Some were conventional (pickled beets!), some were more a case of me running wild with it ("Caulcannon Pickles"!).

    You'll be seeing some of those creations here over the next while!

    (Edited to add: We now have a whole recipe category for pickling and canning!)

    3 jars of hoppy IPA pickles in a row,  Hop flowers are visible in the jars, which are against a black background.

    Hoppy IPA Pickles

    I don't remember if I was joking or not when I asked my husband if I should create a hop flavored beer pickle.

    Even if I had been, the way his eyes lit up meant that I absolutely had to make it happen. What a wild idea, beer flavored pickles!

    Well, after a bunch of work designing the recipe - making sure the acid level was right, planning flavors to compliment the style of beer, etc - I was disappointed to learn that Dogfish Head Brewery beat me to it, with their Hop-Pickle from Brooklyn Brine.

    Boo! I hate it when I have a great idea, only to find that someone got there first!

    Anyway, these pickles are fabulous.

    Also, they cost a fraction of the ready-made price AND gives you the flexibility of using your favorite brew!

    I designed this around my husband's favorite beer - Hopslam - and we used a homebrewed clone version of that beer for this recipe.

    11 jars of hoppy IPA pickles in multiple rows, Hop flowers are visible in the jars, which are against a black background.

    Flavouring IPA Pickles

    The hops we chose were ones we grew ourselves - Centennial - chosen because of how the flavor compliments the beer.

    Garlic, mustard seeds, peppercorns, and jalapenos round out the recipe, all flavors that work well with the beer.

    No sugar at all, though - if you're into sweet pickles, this may not be the recipe for you. (Personally, I can’t stand sweet pickles! )

    These pickles are sour and as bitter as you want them.

    You can vary the level of bitterness by adjusting the amount of hops used, and the length of time you boil them in the brine.

    We used a full oz of "wet" hops, and boiled them for 10 minutes to produce a very bitter pickle - exactly how my husband wanted them.

    If you don't subscribe to his "the more bitter, the better!" mantra, feel free to use less hops, and only boil them for a few minutes.

    3 jars of hoppy IPA pickles in a row, Hop flowers are visible in the jars, which are against a black background.

    Hoppy IPA Pickle Yield

    As an idea of yield, we made a double batch of this recipe and ended up with:

    - 3 quart jars (2 of whole pickles, 1 of spears)
    - 4 pint jars (All as spears)
    - 5 little jam jars (All as slices)

    I recommend sticking to slices and spears. They look nicer, take up the flavor quicker, and require far less of the liquid.

    Also?

    The jam jars of pickle slices would make really great gifts.

    Every since we came up with this recipe, friends get VERY excited when we talk about putting a batch on - these pickles are VERY popular in our circles!

    We'll definitely be putting another big batch of these on soon, for just that reason!

    11 jars of hoppy IPA pickles in multiple rows, Hop flowers are visible in the jars, which are against a black background.

    More Hops Recipes!

    Are you - or do you know - a die-hard hophead? Just interested in learning more about adding a punch of flavour to your culinary repertoire? Either way, I have some more recipes for you!

    Homemade Hop Extracts
    Homemade Hop Spa Bath Set
    Hop Brownies
    HopCorn - Hopped Popcorn!
    Hop Flavoured Beer Lollipops - Lollihops!
    Hop Flavoured Dark Chocolate Truffles
    Hop Lemonade
    Hop Marinated Chicken Skewers
    Hopped Cheesecake with Citrus Glaze
    Hoppy Citrus French Macaron Recipe
    Hoppy Citrus IPA Glazed Wings
    Hoppy IPA BBQ Sauce
    Hoppy Dill Pickle Relish
    Hop Sorbet

    Cover image for the "Hedonistic Hops" cookbook.  Cover consists of a compilation of images depicting recipes made with hops.

    Fan of hops? You'll LOVE my cookbook, Hedonistic Hops: A Hop Head's Guide to Kitchen Badassery"!

    Hops are prized for their ability to impart varied, complex flavours to beer… but did you know they can also be used culinarily? While hops may seem like a bizarre or exotic item to cook with, it’s the same as using other herbs and spices in your kitchen… you just have to know what to do with them. Appetizers, main dishes, beverages.. even desserts can be uplifted with hops! Even those who are not fans of beer will love the unique flavours that various types of hops can bring to their plate. Floral, earthy, peppery, citrusy… Cooking with hops is a great way to expand your seasoning arsenal!

    Order your copy directly through this website, through Amazon, or through any major bookseller!

    3 jars of hoppy IPA pickles in a row, Hop flowers are visible in the jars, which are against a black background.

    Share the Love!

    Before you dig in, be sure to take some pics of your handiwork! If you Instagram it, be sure to tag me - @CelebrationGenerationCA - or post it to My Facebook Page - so I can cheer you on!

    Also, be sure to subscribe to my free monthly email newsletter, so you never miss out on any of my nonsense.

    Well, the published nonsense, anyway!

    3 jars of hoppy IPA pickles in a row, Hop flowers are visible in the jars, which are against a black background.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    5 from 16 votes

    Hoppy IPA Pickles

    These pickles are sour, as bitter as you want them to be, and full of bright hop flavour. They make an excellent gift for the beer lover in your life, too!
    Prep Time30 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Processing Time15 mins
    Total Time55 mins
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 6 Quarts of Pickles (Approximately)
    Calories: 107kcal
    Author: Marie Porter

    Equipment

    Clean, sterilized canning jars and rings
    New, never-used, sterilized canning lids
    Jar Lifter, Canning Funnel
    LARGE pot to process them in

    Ingredients

    • 2 lbs Pickling Cucumbers Washed/scrubbed well.
    • 5 Cups Vinegar 5% acidity
    • 24 oz IPA of Choice We used a Hopslam clone
    • 2 Cups Water
    • ½ Cup Pickling Salt
    • ½-1 oz Fresh Hops ... or equivalent dried.*

    Per Pint Jar: (Double these if using Quart Jars)

    • 1 Garlic Clove Peeled and smashed
    • ¼ teaspoon Pepper Corns
    • ¼ teaspoon Mustard Seeds
    • ¼ – ½ Jalapeno Sliced (optional)

    Instructions

    • Slice your cucumbers into whatever form you prefer – we did spears for pint jars, and slices for little jam jars – they’d make cute little gifts!
    • Measure your “per jar” ingredients into your sterilized jars, along with one or two hop cones, if using. Arrange your prepared cucumbers into the jars, packing them tightly. If you’d like, cram another hop cone or two down the side – they’ll want to float, so keep that in mind as you position them!
    • Fill your LARGE pot with at least 6″ of water, put on medium or high heat to bring it to a boil as you prepare your brine.
    • In another pot (NOT the canning pot!), combine vinegar, beer, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring well to dissolve the salt. Once mixture reaches a boil, add hops and stir well, mashing them around a bit. Allow them to simmer for 5-10 minutes, tasting frequently.
    • Once mixture has reached your desired level of bitterness, use a slotted spoon to remove all hop cones and stray hop leaves. Bring mixture to a boil.
    • Use a canning funnel, pour boiling beer brine into prepared jars, leaving about ½″ head space. Wipe off the top edges of the jar with a clean, wet towel, top each with a new, sterilized lid, and carefully screw on a clean lid ring. I like to use a kitchen towel for this, the jars are HOT! Carefully place your jars of pickles into the boiling water pot, allow to process for 15 minutes. CAREFULLY remove them, allow to cool overnight.
    • The next morning, check to make sure that all of the jars achieved a proper seal – try to push down in the middle of each lid. If it “pops”, it did not seal. Any jars that didn’t seal should be put in the fridge and used in the next few weeks.
    • Leave the jars alone for at least a few days, to allow the flavors to permeate the cucumbers. Store in a cool, dark area (ideally) for up to 1 year, chill well before eating.

    Notes

    * We used Centennial hops, as that was one that we were growing that would go well with Hopslam / a Hopslam clone. Simcoe would be a great choice, if you’re looking to buy them from a homebrew supply store. In addition to the hops called for in the recipe, I also recommend having a few extra fresh ones – if using fresh – to put in the jars when canning. It looks pretty!
    Important: Nutritional information shown is per quart of pickles - brine included - NOT individual servings.
    Who even knows what a serving of pickles is?

    Nutrition

    Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 9447mg | Potassium: 236mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 109IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg

    Related posts:

    3 jars of Hoppy Dill Pickle Relish. It's a golden orange relish with flecks of dark green and red throughout. There is a small cup of the relish in front of the jars. Hoppy Dill Pickle Relish A close up view of roasted corn salsa for canning - corn salsa with tomatoes and peppers - in a glass bowl. Roasted Corn Salsa for Canning A close up view of a chunky roasted corn salsa verde - a green salsa with yellow corn and red peppers throughout. Roasted Corn Salsa Verde for Canning A jar of hoppy IPA BBQ Sauce, next to some fresh hops, and a plate with a skewer of grilled shrimp on it. Hoppy IPA BBQ Sauce Recipe
    « Citrus IPA Glazed Wings
    Hop Flavored Beer Lollipops Recipe - LolliHOPS! »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Heidi J.

      September 06, 2012 at 7:56 am

      5 stars
      Marie, you are a creative genius.

      Reply
    2. James Clark

      September 23, 2012 at 1:46 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for this great recipe for IPA pickles. Worked great with okra also.

      Reply
    3. Angela Pitts

      July 22, 2013 at 2:07 pm

      5 stars
      I made a double batch of these luscious, drunken pickles today from Dogfish 60 Minute IPA. They are delicious!! With a double batch, I got 13 quarts and 8 half pints. And, best of all, a hoppy home for some of my huge bushel of organic cukes from a friend's overflowing garden!

      Reply
      • Marie Porter

        July 22, 2013 at 3:24 pm

        Awesome, I'm so glad to hear it!

        You should post a pic of them on our Facebook page 🙂

        Reply
    4. Angela Pitts

      July 22, 2013 at 2:08 pm

      5 stars
      Oh- and THANK you for this wonderful recipe! I can't wait to order your book!

      Reply
    5. Jon Parker

      August 11, 2013 at 11:47 am

      5 stars
      If you ever make it down Maryland way, tell your husband to pick up some Heavy Seas Loose Cannon. It may or may not become his favorite as it is mine, but I'm sure he'll love it. Sadly, it's only available locally.

      Reply
      • Marie Porter

        August 12, 2013 at 6:47 am

        Thanks for the recommendation, Jon! I'll definitely pass it along 🙂

        Reply
    6. Adam

      December 15, 2013 at 11:13 pm

      5 stars
      Just made some of my own! They turned out wonderful. Thanks for the recipe!!

      Reply
    7. Jessica

      March 11, 2014 at 12:05 pm

      5 stars
      These sound freaking awesome!! Have you tried it for pickled beets? I think I'm going to try it:)

      Reply
      • Marie Porter

        March 14, 2014 at 12:22 pm

        I have not! If you try it, come back and let me know what you think!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Marie Porter


    Evil Cake Overlord, All -Around Kitchen Badass!

    More about me →


    Join us on Social Media - Food

    Facebook logo, a white F on a blue background. Instagram icon - a stylized white camera image on blue background. Pinterest Logo - White on red background.

    Join us on Social Media - Costuming, etc

    Facebook logo, a white F on a blue background. Instagram icon - a stylized white camera image on blue background. Twitter logo - a white stylized bird icon on an aqua background.

    More Than Poutine: A Uniquely Canadian Cookbook.
    Learn to sew with spandex

    Most Recent Posts

    • Honey Garlic Sauce
    • Crab Rangoon Pizza
    • Red Velvet Muffins
    • Hot Dog Sliders

    We'd love to have you subscribe to our newsletter!


    META

    Site Admin

    Logout

    Entries Feed

    Comments Feed

    Footer

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact
    • Media

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up

      for emails and updates

    Our Other Blogs

    • Autism Rants
    • Beyond Flour
    • Low Carb Hoser
    • Spandex Simplified

    Note: This site is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for the site to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites. While I’ll only ever link to items that I, personally, wholeheartedly recommend, I do need to put that disclosure out there!

    Copyright © 2020 Foodie Pro on the Foodie Pro Theme