This is a list of varieties of hop ( Humulus lupulus). Hops have been grown as a commercial crop for the Brewing Industry during many centuries in many countries in the world. It is thought that their origin is China. The first documentation of the mention of a Hop garden is in the will of Pepyn III, the father of Charlemaine. The first breeding of different hop varieties took place at Wye College in Kent, England by Prof.E.F. Salmon in ca. 1907 when he brought out the varieties Brewers Gold and Northern Brewer.
Ahtanum is a hop variety that in its aroma/flavoring is similar to Willamette in combination with Cascade or Amarillo. It has a citrus and floral character much like Cascade with the addition of some resiney or earth notes. Grapefruit quality is more forward in than in Cascade as well.This variety was bred in the 90's by C.E. Zimmermann. Alpha acids are lower than Cascade at 3.5% to 6.5% Alpha acid units (AAU), making Ahtanum a good choice for a flavor addition when you do not want to impart quite the bitterness of Cascade or Amarillo. A recent taste-test comparison between Ahtanum and Willamette has described some similarity between the varieties.[1] Its name is derived from an area near Yakima, Washington State, where the first hop farm was established in 1870.[2]
Popular American mid-range alpha acid variety with a unique and distinct aroma discovered growing "wild" (spontaneously) in one of their hop yards and developed by Virgil Gamache Farms in late 20th century. Also known as VGX001, its strain number.
Characterized by its exceptional high percentage of alpha acids, excellent storage stability of alpha acids, low CoH value for an alpha variety, and resistance to hop powdery mildew strains found in Washington. The new variety was cultivated as a result of a cross in 2000 at Golden Gate Roza Hop Ranches in Prosser, Washington, and has been asexually reproduced there.
Very 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. Gives the distinct citrus/grapefruit aroma to a Pale Ale produced by one of the most successful "craft" breweries in California, America. One of the "Three Cs" along with Centennial and Columbus. Named for the Cascade Range. Substitutes: Centennial and Columbus (but they have a higher Alpha Acid content).
American aroma-type variety bred in 1974 and released in September of 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.
This 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 %. Substitutes for bittering: Eroica, Galena, Nugget. Substitutes for aroma and flavor: Southern Cross, Sticklebract.
Citra is a dual-purpose hop released in 2007 by the Hop Breeding Company. It is a cross of Hallertauer Mittelfruh, U.S. Tettnanger, East Kent Golding, Bavarian, Brewers Gold, and other unknown hops. Citra has a citrus aroma and flavor, with a heavy aroma of tropical fruits (guava, mango, tropical fruit). It is typically used as an aroma hop, but due to its high alpha % and low cohumulone content, it makes an excellent bittering hop as well.
Originated from mass selection of the Cluster hop, which is an old American cultivar. It is suggested that they arose from hybridization of varieties, imported by Dutch and English settlers and indigenous male hops. There is an early ripening and a late ripening Cluster cultivar. Also known as Golden Cluster, used as the sole bittering hop in the iconic Queensland, Australia beer XXXX Gold and XXXX Bitter. Can give a black currant aroma/flavor. Substitutes: Brewer's Gold.
A high yielding, high alpha acid American bittering hop. Also known by the trade name Tomahawk. One of the "Three Cs" along with Cascade and Centennial. Like the others it is citrusy and slightly woody. Columbus has a very high amount of total oils, and can impart a 'resiny' quality to a beer. Substitutes for bittering: Nugget, Chinook. Substitutes for aroma and flavor: Cascade, Centennial.
An 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.
A strongly flavored bittering hop often used in wheat beers. Substitutes: Galena, Nugget, Olympic.
A cultivar developed in 1968 from Brewer's Gold by open pollination in Idaho. This means that the Male hop is unknown. The alpha acid content is relatively high 11.5 to 13.5 % but its co-humulone content and its beta acid range are also high.
Low-cohumulone American Fuggle descendant. Substitutes: Eroica, Nugget, Olympic.
American Hop grown in southern Idaho.
American high alpha cross made in Oregon in 1970. Horizon and Nugget share a common parent (#65009).
American cross between Hallertauer Mittlefrüh and downy mildew resistant male, developed in 1983. Spicy (cinnamon), resiny, and slightly sweet. Recommended for German/American lagers. Substitutes: Mount Hood, Hallertau, Crystal.
Bittering variety, bred from Nugget and with similar characteristics.
Soft American variety developed from Hallertau. Frequently used in styles that require only a subtle hop aroma (German/American lagers). Named for Mount Hood in Oregon. Substitutes: Liberty, Hallertau, Crystal.
Originally cultivated in Oregon. Mount Rainier has a complex parentage, including Hallertau, Galena, Fuggles and other hops, and exhibits some noble hop characteristics, but is higher in alpha acid. The aroma is reminiscent of licorice with a hint of citrus.
Recently developed American high-alpha bittering hop.
Floral, resiny aroma and flavor. Primarily a bittering hop. Substitutes: Galena, Olympic.
Fairly recent American cultivar released by Yakima Chief Ranches. Palisade is a cross of Tettnager and open pollination resulting in a moderate alpha hop.
Discovered growing wild in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Open pollinated hops. Aroma is fruity and slightly sweet. A newly developed American aroma hop that contains noble hop characteristics.
American floral aroma hop with mid-range alpha acid. Pedigree includes Tettnang (mother), Hallertau Mittelfrüh (grandmother) and Cascade (great grandmother). Named for the Santiam River in Oregon.
Simcoe is a recent American cultivar released by Yakima Chief Ranches in 2000. It has a very distinct aroma of citrus, grapefruit, and pine. While Simcoe is a very popular aroma hop, it's high alpha acid % and low cohumulone content make it a very useful bittering hop as well.
American floral hop released in 1998. A cross between Saaz and Mount Hood in character but easier to grow.
Currently the highest alpha acid hop. Useful for barleywines, stouts and IPAs. Alpha acid 17-19%.
Trade name for Columbus.
A triploid aroma-type cultivar, originated in 1983 from a cross between the colchicine-induced tetraploid Hallertau mf (USDA 21397) and the diploid Saazer-derived male genotype (USDA 21237m). Ultra is the half-sister to Mount Hood, Liberty and Crystal. Its genetic composition is 4/6 Hallertau mf, 1/6 Saazer, and 1/6 unknown. This cultivar was released for commercial production in March, 1995. It has a peppery, spicy aroma similar to Saaz. Substitutes: Crystal, Saaz, Tettnanger.
American aroma cross developed from Hallertau in 1982.
New American bittering hop, popular with growers and brewers. Warrior is known for it's very high alpha acid %, and it's relatively clean bittering characteristics.
Popular American development in 1976 of the English Fuggle. Named for the Willamette Valley, an important hop-growing area. It has a character similar to Fuggle, but is more fruity and has some floral notes. Used in British and American ales. A recent taste-test comparison between Ahtanum and Willamette has described some similarity between the varieties.[1]
American aromatic high-alpha hop. Similar, if not identical, to Columbus/Tomahawk.
An English bittering hop used in some English ales. Substitutes: Target, Northdown, Challenger.
British bittering hop developed in 1919. Both Brewer's Gold and Bullion are seedlings of BB1 (found wild in Manitoba). Many modern high alpha hops were developed from Brewer's Gold. Has a resiny, spicy aroma/flavor with hints of black currant. Substitutions: Northdown.
Bittering hop. One of the earliest high alpha hops in the world. Raised in 1919 in England from a wild Manitoban female crossed with an English male hop. Mainly bittering Stouts and Dark ales. This hop has a resiny/earthy aroma/flavor and can be a bit rough. Substitutions: Northern Brewer and Galena.
English hop. Introduced in 1972. Very popular dual-purpose hop in English ales. Used in many traditional English Bitters. When used for bittering, Challenger can impart a pleasant and complex marmalade/toffee/citrus flavour, which enhances strong ales. Substitutes: East Kent Goldings, Phoenix, Styrian Goldings, British Columbian Goldings.
English dwarf hop. A cross-pollination of Whitbread Golding variety and a dwarf male. Substitutes: A mix of East Kent Goldings and Crystal (for the cinnamon).
Main English hop developed in the late 19th century. Earthier and less sweet than Kent Goldings. Substitutes: Willamette.
This is a group of traditional and very popular English aroma hops grown prior to 1790. Widely cultivated also in the U.S.A. Called East Kent Goldings if grown in East Kent, Kent Goldings if grown in mid-Kent, and Goldings if grown elsewhere. There are many different named cultivars such as Amon's Early Bird, Cobbs, Bramling,Canterbury, Petham Rodmersham and in Worcestershire - Mathon. They tend to have a smooth, sweet flavor. Most types of Goldings will work in place of another (Whitbread Golding Variety for East Kent Goldings, e.g.). Note that Styrian Goldings are not of this family, rather are identical to Fuggles.
An English aroma and bittering hop; sister of Pioneer. Substitutes: Pioneer.
Dual purpose hop in England developed in 1970s. Relative of Challenger and Target. Very resiny. Substitutes: Phoenix or blend of Goldings and Brewers Gold.
Developed in England in 1934 from a cross between a Canterbury Golding female plant and the male plant OB21.[3][4] Grown in Europe and America as a dual-purpose hop, but mainly used for bittering in combination with other hops. Woody/earthy/fruity aroma and flavor. Substitutes: Hallertau, Pride of Ringwood, Bullion.[4]
Dual-purpose English hop, mild aroma and slightly spicy flavor.[5] Substitutes: Challenger.
Previously known as S24 (nicknamed Ros) this UK hedgerow variety was officially named as 'Pilot' in May 2002 by Charles Faram & Co Ltd. The variety is wilt resistant, has good aroma and alpha properties and yields well.
English hop; a sister of Herald. Substitutes: East Kent Goldings, Herald.
Higher alpha English hop developed in the 1960s as a replacement for Fuggles. Often used with Goldings.
English mid-to-high alpha hop bred from Kent Goldings. Used in Wylam ale. Substitutes: Fuggle, Willamette.
Bred in England in 1911 from open pollination of Bates Brewer, named after the brewery that owned the land, not a true golding. Not dissimilar to Golding but more robust with distinguishing sweet fruity note.
Hallertauer Mittelfrüh. The original German lager hop; named after Hallertau or Holledau region in central Bavaria. Due to susceptibility to crop disease, it was largely replaced by Hersbrucker in the 1970s and 1980s. Substitutes: Mount Hood, Liberty.
Noble hop used in German pale lagers. Substitutes: Hallertau, Mount Hood, Liberty, Spalt.
Named after the city of Saaz (now Žatec) in the Czech Republic. Noble hop used extensively to flavor pale Czech lagers such as Pilsner Urquell. Cinnamon-spicy, earthy. Substitutes: Tettnanger, Ultra, Crystal.
Noble German dual use hop used in European pale lagers and wheat beers, sometimes with Hallertau. Comes from Tettnang, a small town in southern Baden-Württemberg in Germany. The region produces significant quantities of hops, and ships them to breweries throughout the world. Substitutes: Saaz, Crystal.
Traditional German noble hop from the Spalter region south of Nuremberg. Woody. Substitutes: Hallertau varieties.
A rare Australian hop variety that has its genetic roots in the Burgundy region of France. It has been specially adapted to grow in the cool climate of Victoria (Australia). It was first harvested in 2010 and is ideal for use in a Randall device as invented by Dogfish Head Brewery. The alpha values on this young variety come in between 12 and 16.
Australian high alpha dual purpose triploid cultivar with a marked and unique hop aroma, described as a combination of citrus and passionfruit. Bred in 1994 by Hop Products Australia by crossing a female tetraploid (J78) with a male derived from Perle.[6]
Kiwi hop that is a very clean, high alpha acid, bittering hop. Known to be a brew house work horse. Used for bittering lagers and works well with noble hops.
New variety NZ Hop, this hop was bred by crossing a New Zealand breeding selection (2/3) with Saazer parentage (1/3). Primarily used for flavour and aroma its profile is citrus with lifted lemon and lime followed by a background of tropical fruit. Great in a Bohemian Pilsner.
A new variety developed in Nelson, New Zealand. Named with more than a nod towards the Sauvignon Blanc grape. Intensely fruity flavour and aroma with a strong suggestion of passionfruit. Effective for bittering, flavour and aroma. Good when used either solely or in combination with complementary fruity hops such as Cascade in American pale ales.
High alpha bittering hop from New Zealand. Most are organic. Woody and fruity (strawberry). Substitutes: Fuggles (maybe).
High alpha bittering hop from New Zealand with a soft bitterness. Aroma is described as fresh citrus and black pepper.
Previously known as the Pacific Hallertau, this New Zealand hop has a soft, yet solid bittering quality. Its aroma is described as orange marmalade citrus and some floral.
Used extensively in Australian pale ales and lagers. First used in 1965 when it was the highest alpha acid hop in the world. Intensely woody, earthy and herbal. Can be rough. Not particularly suitable for aroma but effective as a bittering hop. Substitutes: Pacific Gem, Cluster, Northern Brewer.
An aroma hop from New Zealand that has grapefruit notes.
Mellow bittering hop with high alpha of 11.0 - 14.0 %. The aroma is characterised by a heady mix of lemon peel and pine needles layered beneath a clean spiciness. Mainstay of quality NZ lagers.
Polish grown Saaz, used in Polish lagers. Slightly woody and spicy. Substitutes: Czech Saaz.
A bittering/aroma type cultivar, bred in 1980 at Hüll, the German Hop Research Instititute, from the American variety Galena and the German male 75/5/3.
German dual-purpose hop. Often used in combination with other hops. Spicy and slightly floral/fruity. Substitutes: Hallertau, Mount Hood, Liberty.
Polish; Finishing hop. Another source of the classical noble-aroma type hop with long and strong traditions. Widely believed to be a clone of Saaz. Aroma is mild and typical of noble aroma types. Subvarieties: Czech Saaz, Tettnang.
A new breed of hop that is starting to replace the Hallertauer Mittlefrüh variety, which has become more and more susceptible to disease and pests. Shares many of the Hallertauer Mittlefrüh characteristics and is very well suited as an aroma hop.
A bittering-type cultivar of recent origin.
German disease-resistant Hallertauer and Spalt pale lager variety developed in the early 1990s.
French aroma hop from Alsace, used mostly in pale lagers. Has a floral and lemony aroma/flavor. Similar to Hersbrucker. Substitutes: Hallertau, Mount Hood, Liberty, Hersbrucker, Southern Cross.
Slovenian variant of Fuggles, but similar to East Kent Goldings. Used in English ales and Belgian strong ales amongst others. From eastern Europe. Substitutes: East Kent Goldings.
French hop, used as an aromatic in continental lagers.
Bred in 1991 from Hallertau Mittlefrüh by the Hüll Hop Research Institute in Germany for resistance to disease. Grassy like Hallertau, but easier to grow.
| Name | Country | Alpha acid % |
|---|---|---|
| Admiral | England | 13.5-16 |
| Ahtanum | U.S. | 5.7-6.3 |
| Amarillo | U.S. | 8-11 |
| Apollo | U.S. | 20-21 |
| Brewer's Gold | England | 7.1-11.3 |
| Bullion | England | 6.5-9 |
| Cascade | U.S. | 4.5-6 |
| Centennial | U.S. | 9.5-11.5 |
| Challenger | England | 6.5-8.5 |
| Chinook | U.S. | 12-14 |
| Citra | U.S. | 10-12 |
| Cluster | U.S. | 5.5-8.5 |
| Columbus | U.S. | 14-18 |
| Crystal | America. | 3.5-5.5 |
| Eroica | U.S. | 9-12 |
| First Gold | England. | 6.5-8.5 |
| Feux-Coeur Francais | Australia | 3.1-5.5 |
| Fuggles | England | 4-5.5 |
| Galaxy | Australia | 14.9 |
| Galena | U.S. | 12-14 |
| Glacier | U.S. | 5.5 |
| Goldings | England | 4-5.5 |
| Green Bullet | New Zealand | 11-14 |
| Greenburg | U.S. | 5.2 |
| Hallertau / Hallertauer Mittelfrüh | Germany | 3.5-5.5 |
| Herald | England | 11-13 |
| Hersbrucker | Germany | 3-5.5 |
| Horizon | U.S. | 11-13 |
| Liberty | U.S. | 3-5 |
| Lublin | Poland | 3-5 |
| Magnum | Germany | 10.0-12.6 |
| Millennium | U.S. | 15.5 |
| Motueka | New Zealand | 6.5-7.5 |
| Mount Hood | U.S. | 5-8 |
| Mount Rainier | U.S. | 6 |
| Nelson Sauvin | New Zealand | 12-14 |
| Newport | U.S. | 10-17 |
| Northdown | England | 7.5-9.5 |
| Northern Brewer | England | 8-10[4] |
| Nugget | U.S. | 12-14 |
| Pacific Gem | New Zealand | 14-16 |
| Pacific Jade | New Zealand | 12-14 |
| Palisade | U.S. | 6-10 |
| Perle | Germany | 7-9.5 |
| Phoenix | England | 9-13 |
| Pilot | England | 9-12 |
| Pioneer | England | 8-10 |
| Polnischer Lublin | Poland | 3-4.5 |
| Pride of Ringwood | Australia | 7-10 |
| Progress | England | 5-7 |
| Riwaka | New Zealand | 4.5-6.5 |
| Saaz | Czech Republic | 3-4.5 |
| San Juan Ruby Red | U.S. | 7.01 |
| Santiam | U.S. | 5-7 |
| Saphir | 2-4.5 | |
| Satus | 12.5-14 | |
| Select | Germany | 4-6 |
| Simcoe | U.S. | 12-14 |
| Southern Cross | New Zealand | 11.0 - 14.0 |
| Spalt | Germany | 4-5 |
| Sterling | U.S. | 6-9 |
| Strisselspalt | France | 3-5 |
| Styrian Goldings | Slovenia | 4.5-6 |
| Summit | U.S. | 17-19 |
| Tardif de Bourgogne | France | 3.1-5.5 |
| Target | England | 9.5-12.5 |
| Tettnang | Germany | 3.5-5.5 |
| Tomahawk | U.S. | 14-18 |
| Tradition | Germany | 5-7 |
| Ultra | U.S. | 4.5-5 |
| Vanguard | U.S. | 5.5-6 |
| Warrior | U.S. | 15-17 |
| Willamette | U.S. | 4-6 |
| Zeus | U.S. | 15 |