Key to Hop Descriptions

Hop Varieties: (alphabetical)

WHICH HOPS ARE BEST?

Hops are added to beer to balance the malt sweetness with the bitterness of its oils. Hops can also add flavours and aromas in various degrees (depending largely on how and when they are added to the wort or finished beer).Some hops are best used primarily for adding bitterness, while others, especially the noble varieties, are used primarily for adding aroma and flavour, although many European beers use only noble hops for bittering as well.. Many hops can serve as bittering, flavour and aroma hops. The suggestions for use in this guide are drawn primarily from current and historical brewing practice. This Guide to Hop Varieties will help you select the hops which match the style of beer you are brewing.

For further information on how to store and use hops, refer to our online Guide to Hop Usage.

Also check out some of the fine books available. Perhaps the best book available on hops is Using Hops: The Complete Guide to Hops for the Craft Brewer, by M Garetz, Hop Tech 1994.

KEY TO DESCRIPTIONS

Alpha Acid level: this is the range of the AA given in % for each type of hop. The Alpha acid is important for bittering: the greater the %, the more powerful the bittering effect per unit.

Storage: Alpha acids break down over a time which depends as well on temperature. The storage value indicates the percentage of AA remaining after storage lasting 6 months at a temperature of 20 C (or 72F). Note, however, that by keeping the hops in the freezer (and away from light and oxygen), their AA levels remain virtually unchanged for years. Our hops are vacum sealed and stored between -20C and -40C.

Aroma: a description of the aromatic characteristics of the hop.

Uses: the most common uses for the hop.

Substitutions: other hops which may do the same or similar job.

 

 

HOP VARIETY DESCRIPTIONS

Amarillo
A new variety discovered as a mutation by a grower and now being produced in small quantities by Hop Union. Characterized by mid- to high alpha acid content, and low cohumulone, colupulone, and humulene. Similar to Cascade in aroma. Preliminary response from brewers has been positive.

Alpha Acid: 6.5 to 9.0
Storage: unknown
Aroma: citrusy, spicy, distinctive grapefruit
Uses: bittering and flavour
Substitutions: Cascade, Centennial

Bramling Cross
Started in 1927 from a Goldings female and a wild Manitoba male. Used as a general-purpose bittering hop, lately it has been used to provide a unique fruity, blackcurrant and lemon notes in traditional ales, especially in Christmas ales. Dry hopping can produce a very interesting effect. Bramling Cross is an under-appreciated hop.

Alpha Acid: 5.0 to 7.0
Storage: 60 to 70%
Aroma: mild fruit, currants
Uses: bittering and flavour/aroma
Substitutions: WGV, Progress, Kent Goldings

Bullion
Started in 1919 from a Manitoban female hop and an English male hop. It has a spicy and intense aroma which should be controlled by a 60 minute boil.

Alpha Acid: 6.5 to 9.0
Storage: 40 to 50%
Aroma: strong, black currant, spicy, pungent
Uses: bittering, especially stouts and dark ales
Substitutions: Northern Brewer

Cascade
American cross of Fuggle and a Russian hop, Cascade is a very popular aroma hop with a distinct character. Use in almost any American style beer for bittering as well as aroma.

Alpha Acid: 3.0 to 7.0
Storage: 48 to 52%
Aroma: citrusy, spicy, flowery, pleasant
Uses: flavour and aroma, often for bittering too
Substitutions: Centennial, Amarillo

Centennial
A fairly new domestic cross, Centennial is also called CFJ90, and sometimes called a Super Cascade. Can be used for aroma as well as bittering, but is best used as the bittering hop with Cascade for aroma.

Alpha Acid: 9.5 to 11.5
Storage: 60 to 65%
Aroma: citrusy, floral
Uses: aroma, and bittering of dark American ales
Substitutions: Cascade, Amarillo

Challenger (UK)
A granddaughter of Northern Brewer, Challenger is a good dual purpose hop with good aroma characteristics and reasonably high alpha acids. This is a great hop for any English Ales.

Alpha Acid: 7.0 to 10.0
Storage: 70 to 85%
Aroma: a fine scented, almost spicy aroma
Uses: bittering and aroma; UK style ales and lagers
Substitutions: undetermined (although it is a cousin to Target)

Cluster
A classic American bittering hop, Cluster is probably a cross with native American hops with European varieties. Just replaced by Galena in popularity. It is still one of the most widely used hops in American brewing. The oldest American variety still grown. It has a clean bitterness and excellent storage ability but Galena is preferred.

Alpha Acid: 5.0 to 8
Storage: 70 to 85%
Aroma: nondescript
Uses: bittering American style ales
Substitutions: Galena

Columbus
A very new bittering hop, Columbus is a very high alpha acid variety similar to Centennial, but with a slightly more herbal, pleasant aroma and good flavour.

Alpha Acid: 14 to 16
Storage: N/A
Aroma: mild
Uses: bittering, some aroma
Substitutions: Galena

Crystal
Crystal is crossed Cascade, Brewer's Gold, and Early Green. It has a perfumed flowery character that goes well with lagers.

Alpha Acid: 2.0 to 4.5
Storage: 50%
Aroma: mild and pleasant
Uses: Aroma
Substitutions: Liberty, Mt. Hood, German Hallertauer

First Gold
Early brewing trials indicate that First Gold is an extremely exciting prospect. The variety is very suitable both as a general kettle hop and also for late and dry hopping in all types of beer. First Gold has excellent aroma qualities and much of the flavour character of WGV seems to have been retained, producing a well-balanced bitterness and a fruity, slightly spicy note in ales. Considerable areas of First Gold are being planned and there is significant interest already from Britain's traditional ale brewers.

Alpha Acid: 4.0 to 5.5%
Storage: 60 to 65%
Aroma: mild, spicy or woody aroma
Uses: flavour hopping or dry hopping; best in pale ales, porters, English bitters
Substitutions: Willamette, Kent Goldings, Styrian Goldings

Fuggle
Fuggle is the most famous hop for English ales. It has suffered from wilts of late, and has largely been replaced by newer varieties. Fuggle provides a full British style palate and can be used alone, but is often used along with Goldings.

Alpha Acid: 4.0 to 5.5%
Storage: 60 to 65%
Aroma: mild, spicy or woody aroma
Uses: flavour hopping or dry hopping; best in pale ales, porters, English bitters
Substitutions: Willamette, Kent Goldings, Styrian Goldings

Galena
Recently this hop has accounted for half of all the bittering done in the USA. This is a very popular hop with the brewing industry, although it remains almost unknown to many homebrewers. It has a clean unassertive bitterness that makes it ideal for almost any style, and has the best storability of any hop.

Alpha Acid: 11 to 13%
Storage: 85-90%
Aroma: pungent
Uses: bittering American styles
Substitutions: Challenger

Hallertauer Hersbrucker (Germany)
The Hallertau is an area between Munich and Nuernburg (general region of Bavaria). It is the largest area of hop production in Europe. The Hallertau produces two main types of hops: Hersbrucker and Northern Brewer. The Hersbrucker is often called Hallertau, but really these hops should be distinguished. There is a variety properly called Hallertau, which formed the stock of the American Hallertau hop. The proper Hallertau also has notable sub-varieties such as Mittelfrueh and Tradition (famous German variety).

Alpha Acid: 3.5 to 5.5
Storage: 50 to 60%
Aroma: mild, but a very popular aroma hop
Uses: bittering and finishing of lagers and American beers
Substitutions: Mt. Hood, Liberty, Crystal, Tradition, Mittelfrueh, Ultra

Kent Goldings (UK)
The premier English hop, with a lineage going back to 1790. Sometimes these are even isolated by the area, e.g., East Kent Goldings (see the hop plugs) often considered the best. Can be used for bittering British ales as well as finishing and aroma.

Alpha Acid: 4.0 to 6.0
Storage: 65 to 80%
Aroma: gentle and fragrant
Uses: bittering, flavouring, and aroma (dry hopping too) in Pale ales, Bitters, Stouts, Porters.
Substitutions: Styrian Goldings, Fuggle, Willamette

Liberty
This variety released in 1991, is similar to German hops. Bred from Hallertau Mittlefreuh. Excellent aroma, a fitting successor to the traditional noble hops.

Alpha Acid: 3.0 to 5.0
Storage: 35 to 55%
Aroma: mild but fine
Uses: American lagers and German ales
Substitutions: Hallertauer, Mt. Hood, Crystal

Mount Hood
A variety from 1989, similar to Hallertau and Hersbrucker.

Alpha Acid: 5.0 to 8.0
Storage:50 to 60%
Aroma: clean and delicate
Uses: Aroma and flavour in lagers and German ales
Substitutions: Hallertauer, Liberty, Crystal

Northdown (UK)
Derived from Northern Brewer, it shares many of the same characteristics, and has replaced Northern Brewer in much of the UK for all uses, including dry Irish Stouts. A clean and mild bitterness with delicate hop aroma.

Alpha Acid: 8.0 to 9
Storage: 70 to 80%
Aroma: strong, woody, minty
Uses: bittering with strong aromas in dark ales, aroma, dry hopping
Substitutions: Perle, Galena , Northern Brewer

Northern Brewer
The American variety has strong woody or minty qualities. Very good for bittering Porters, Stouts, or American steam beers. The German version has slightly better aromatic qualities.

Alpha Acid: 8.0 to 10.0
Storage: 70 to 80%
Aroma: strong, woody, minty
Uses: bittering with strong aromas in dark ales
Substitutions: Perle, Galena, Northdown

Nugget
A cross between East Kent Goldings, Brewer's Gold, and Bavarian. Sharply bitter, and stores well, but otherwise nondescript. Grown in the USA.

Alpha Acid: 12 to 14%
Storage: 80-85%
Aroma: mild
Uses: bittering American styles
Substitutions: Galena

Perle
A Northern Brewer cross with higher alpha acid levels than other German strains, but with a fine aroma.

Alpha Acid: 7.0 to 9.5
Storage: 80 to 85%
Aroma: Minty with good aroma
Uses: wheat beers, and non-pilsener lagers
Substitutions: Northern Brewer

Polnischer Lublin (Poland)
A true noble hop, bred from Saaz, and as fine. Rarely seen in North America, still primarily an Eastern European hop.

Alpha Acid: 3.0 to 4.5
Storage: 40 to 55%
Aroma: mild, but nice
Uses: finishing lagers
Substitutions: Saaz, Tettnanger

Pride of Ringwood (Australia)
Released in 1965 as a very high Alpha acid hop, this hop accounts for about 90% of Australian hop production. Cross of a wild Tasmanian hop and the English Pride of Kent. It has a distinct somewhat coarse but pleasant citrus aroma (try a Foster's lager).

Alpha Acid: 7.0 to 10.0
Storage: 45 to 55%
Aroma: strong but pleasant citrus nose
Uses: bittering mostly, but some aroma. British ales, Australian lagers and ales
Substitutions: Kent Goldings, Centennial, Galena, Cluster

Progress (UK)
A hop with moderate bittering power, but great aromatics too. It is a cross between Whitbread's Golding Variety and North American male hops. Somewhat similar to Fuggle, but slightly sweeter, and usually providing a softer bitterness in beers of all types. With its slightly higher alpha content, it represents good value for bitterness if a beer recipe demands aroma hops for all the bittering element. This variety has a potential not yet fully exploited, to provide excellent beer flavours.

Alpha Acid: 4.0 to 5.5%
Storage: 60 to 65%
Aroma: mild, spicy or woody aroma
Uses: flavour hopping or dry hopping; best in pale ales, porters, English bitters
Substitutions: Fuggle, WGV, Kent Goldings, Styrian Goldings

Saaz (Czech)
This Saaz is the original Pilsner hop, and is a truly noble hop (try a Pilsner Urquell). To brew an authentic Pilsner, Saaz is the only choice and sets the standard for aroma hops, but it also excellent in all European lagers for both bittering and flavour.

Alpha Acid: 3.0 to 4.5
Storage: 45 to 55%
Aroma: mild but very nice
Uses: one of the best aroma hops for lagers
Substitutions: Polnischer Lublin, Tettnanger, Ultra (although nothing really)

Spalt Select (Germany)
One of the classic noble hops, now grown mostly in the Hallertau region. It has a very fine aroma, similar to Czech Saaz. Use in German lagers or any beer which calls for a noble hop.

Alpha Acid: 3.0 to 6.0
Storage: 45 to 55%
Aroma: fairly delicate and fine
Uses: American and European lagers
Substitutions: Saaz, Tettnanger

Styrian Goldings (Slovenia)
This hop emerged from a British Fuggle grown in Slovenia. It is a classic hop with fine aroma and good bittering flavour (although like Fuggle it is not high in alpha acid).

Alpha Acid: 4.5 to 6.0
Storage: 65 to 80%
Aroma: delicate spicy, or soft floral
Uses: bittering and aroma in British ales, Vienna/Oktoberfest lagers, Belgian ales, Pilseners
Substitutions: Fuggle, Willamette, Goldings

Target (UK)
Released in 1972 in the UK as a high acid cousin to Challenger, Target was bred from Northern Brewer female and a male Goldings and is a true dual purpose hop. Alpha acids are moderately high, but the flavour profile is clean British, great in any English style ale. This hop is currently the most widely used hop in the UK.

Alpha Acid: 8.0 to 12.5
Storage: 45 to 55%
Aroma: strong typically floral English aroma
Uses: bittering (dry hopping for powerful aroma effect)
Substitutions: nothing really, Kent Goldings in a pinch

Tettnanger
Tettnanger is one of the original noble German hops from the Tettnang area, but often grown with good results in the USA. Its aroma is very fine, and spicy, but it is a low yielding hop which makes it expensive. Use mostly in European and American lagers for aroma and flavour (occasionally for bittering too).

Alpha Acid: 4.0 to 5.0
Storage: 55 to 60%
Aroma: very fine, spicy, aromatic floral
Uses: especially good in lagers and wheat beers.
Substitutions: Saaz, Spalt, Ultra

Tradition
A close decendant of the Hallertau Mittelfrueh, this hops is earning the title of "noble" by many many brewers.

Alpha Acid: 5.0 to 7.0
Storage: "very good"
Aroma: very fine, aromatic floral
Uses: especially good in German style lagers and wheat beers.
Substitutions: Saaz, Spalt, Ultra

Ultra
This is the latest release in the American Mittelfrueh series. Its aroma is often called "outstanding". Alpha acid levels tend to be low, but that is typical of the noble European varieties to which it is related. Alas, this one has gone for perhaps the very reason that made it great, its low acid level.

Alpha Acid: 3.0 to 4.5
Storage: 45 to 55%
Aroma: gentle but wonderfully fragrant and complex
Uses: excellent in European and American style lagers
Substitutions: Tettnanger, Saaz, Hallertau

Willamette
Grown mostly in Oregon, Willamette is a seedless version of Fuggle with similar character. Its has a mild, pleasant, but spicier aroma than a Fuggle. Like Fuggle it can be used for bittering too in American ales and lagers.

Alpha Acid: 4.0 to 6.0
Storage: 60 to 65%
Aroma: mild and spicy
Uses: flavour hopping and dry hopping in American and British style ales
Substitutions: Fuggle, Styrian Goldings, Kent Goldings

WGV (Whitbread Goldings Variety)
Developed in the 1960s to help the Goldings increase alpha acid levels, this hop dual purpose hop has great flavour and aromatics. Provides a distinctive sweet fruit flavour in beers, similar to, but generally more pronounced and robust than, Goldings. It gives a mild, clean bitterness in traditional ales, and is sometimes used with good effect as a distinctive dry hop. Used perhaps still in Archer's Bitters, Bellhaven's ale, and Young's.

Alpha Acid: 5.0 to 6.0
Storage: 60 to 65%
Aroma: mild and spicy to woody
Uses: British style ales
Substitutions: Fuggle, Styrian Goldings, Kent Goldings

Please call Steve at Paddock Wood Brewing Supplies if you have any questions.

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