Hop Variety Descriptions

NameFlavorExampleSummaryAlpha MinAlpha Maxhf:categorieshf:tags
Amarillo® Hops VGXP01 cv.Amarillo hops have a flowery, citrus-like aroma with medium bittering value that is gaining acceptance as a substitute for Cascade due to its hardy nature.Ales, IPAs

A flowery, grapefruit-like aroma with medium bittering value that is gaining acceptance as a substitute for Cascade due to its citrus nature.

711hopscitrus flowery
Cascade HopsVery successful and well-established American aroma hop developed by Oregon State University's breeding program in 1956 from Fuggle and Serebrianker (a Russian variety), but not released for cultivation until 1972. It has a flowery and spicy, citrus-like quality with a slight grapefruit characteristic. One of the "Three Cs" along with Centennial and Columbus. Substitutes: Centennial and Columbus (but they have a higher Alpha Acid content).Pale Ales, IPAs, Porters

Flowers, citrus & spice with notes of grapefruit create the wonderful bouquet of Cascade hops.  Homebrewer’s #1 hop.

4.57hopscitrus flowery grapefruit spicy
Centennial HopsAmerican aroma-type variety bred in 1974 and released in September 1990 by S.T. Kenny and C.E. Zimmermann, the breeders of this variety. Similar to Cascade and Chinook. The genetic composition is 3/4 Brewers Gold, 3/32 Fuggle, 1/6 East kent Golding, 1/32 Bavarian and 1/16 Unknown. One of the "Three Cs" along with Cascade and Columbus. Centennial is often referred to as a 'Super Cascade', since it has a strong citrus aroma.Ales, IPAs

Flowers and citrus are the most evident aromas.  It has a medium aroma with mid to high bittering value. Often times referred to as Super Cascade.

9.511.5hopscitrus flowery
Chinook HopsThis green bine cultivar (W-421-38) was released in May 1985 in Washington State and Idaho from a cross between a Petham Golding and a USDA-selected male (63012M). Slightly spicy and very piney. Its alpha acid content ranges from 12 to 14%.Most beer styles, from Pale Ales to Lagers

A pine forest washed with exotic spice infused with grapefruit.

1214hopsgrapefruit pine spicy woody
Citra Hops HBC 394 cv.Citra Brand is a registered trademark used with HBC 394 cv special aroma hop variety developed by the Hop Breeding Company (a joint venture between John I. Haas, Inc. and Select Botanicals Group, LLC). It was released in 2007. Citra Brand hops have fairly high alpha acids and total oil contents with a low percentage of cohumulone content. Citra Brand hops imparts interesting citrus and tropical fruit characters to beer.

Citra is a high alpha Hallertauer hybrid. This hop imparts interesting citrus and tropical fruit characters to beer.

1216hopscitrus high-alpha tropical
Crystal HopsAn American triploid variety developed in 1993 from Hallertau, Cascade, Brewer's Gold and Early Green. It is spicier than Hallertau (cinnamon, black pepper, and nutmeg). Substitutes: any Hallertau variety, Mount Hood, Liberty.German-style Pilsner, Lager, Kölsch, ESB, Belgian Ales

A delicate blend of spices and flowers with a low bittering value.

3.56.2hopsfloral spicy
CTZ HopsColumbus hops rank high on the bittering scale, yet are also valued for its oil content which creates a hop that is an interesting dichotomy of sharp and herbal.American IPAs & Pale Ales, Stout, Lager

CTZ stands for Columbus, Tomahawk, and Zeus. High on the bittering scale yet also valued for its oil content. An interesting dichotomy of sharp and herbal.

1417hops
Golding HopsFlowery tones that have produced some of England’s best bitters.All English-style beers (Ales, ESB, Bitter), Belgian-style Ales

Golding is an old school English aroma hop with flowery notes that have produced some of England’s best bitters.

46hopsenglish floral
Lambic HopsBelgian hop cultivated in the Aalst-Asse area near Brussels in the nineteenth and first half of the twentieth century. Because of the low bitterness the Coigneau was originally a favorite hop used for Lambic beer.Lambics

Aged low alpha hops.

12hopsfloral fruity low-alpha
Magnum HopsA high alpha acid bittering hop with mild flavor and low aromatic characteristics.Ales, Lagers, IPAs

Prized for its high bittering value. The aromatic nature is one of spice and citrus.

1215hopscitrus german spicy
Mosaic® Hops HBC 369 cv.Mosaic™ Brand HBC 369 cv is a daughter of the YCR 14 cv hop variety and a Nugget derived male. It has high alpha acids and tropical, blueberry, tangerine, floral, and earthy aromas.Brown Ales, IPAs, Pale Ales

Simcoe’s daughter with earthy, grassy, herbal, citrus, cedar, tropical, spice and stonefruit notes adding to the pine-based pungency. A complex modern gal!

hopscedar citrus earthy grassy herbal spicy stonefruit tropical
Nugget HopsFloral, resiny aroma and flavor. Primarily a bittering hop.Ales, Stouts

Nugget was introduced in 1970 via the USDA.  It has a strong herbal/slight spice aroma and high bittering value.

1214hopsfloral good-storage herbal mild resiny
Saaz HopsAn aromatic blend of earth and spice with a low bittering value.European Noble Ales

Saaz is the Old World steadfast standby made famous by Pilsner Urquell. It possesses the aromatic blend of earth and spice notable in European pilsners.

4.5hopsearthy spicy
Sabro® Hops HBC 438

Sabro Hops is a neomexicanus cross released in 2018. Complex fruit and citrus flavors include tangerine, coconut, tropical, and stone fruit.

hopshops-aroma-hops

Hops can be divided into three categories: aroma hops, bitter hops, and dual-purpose hops.

  • Aroma hops have a lower alpha acid percentage and an oil profile associated with good aroma. These hops are generally used as a finishing or conditioning hop.
  • Bitter hops have a higher alpha acid percentage. These hops are generally used in the boiling process to extract bitterness.
  • Dual-purpose hops, such as Northern Brewer, have the qualities of both aroma hops and bitter hops, and are both aromatic and bittering.

For a more detailed description of all U.S. hop varieties, go to USDA Hop Descriptions.