Hops Varities

Question 1

Admiral

Answer 1

Admiral - Bred in UK, used primarily as an alternative to Target for bittering in traditional English ales. Has fruity, citrus aroma, that is more apparent when added latter in the boil. Storage: Good. 13 to 16% alpha; 1-1.7% Total oil; 4.8-6.1% Beta; 37-45% cohumulone; 39-48% myrcene; 1.9-2.2% farnesene’ 23-36% humulene; 6.8-7.2% caryophyllene

Question 2

Agnus

Answer 2

Agnus - Several large Czech breweries like Agnus as a bittering hop because its alpha/beta ratio is relatively high, and is believed to make the beer more stable. Herbal, grassy. High geraniol level, oils indicate dry hopping potential. 9-12% alpha; 2-3% total oil; 4-6.5% beta; 29-38% cohumulone; 40-55% myrcene; 1% farnesene; 15-22% humulene; 6.8-7.2% caryophyllene

Question 3

Ahtanum

Answer 3

Ahtanum - Included as American “C” hop, particularly its floral, spicy, herbal, and moderately piney aroma. Most often used for late or dry hopping; Storage: fair to good. 5-6.5% alpha; 0.8-1.2% total oil; 5-6.5% beta; 30-35% cohumulone’ 50-55% myrcene; <1% farnesene; 16-20% humulene; 9-12% caryophyllene.

Question 4

Amarrillo

Answer 4

Amarrillo - Intensely fruity (citrus, melon, and stone fruits), hop bomb; Storage fair; 8-11% alpha; 1.5-1.9% total oil; 6-7% beta; 21-24% cohumulone; 68-70% myrcene; 2-4% farnesene; 9-11% humulene; 2-4% caryophyllene.

Question 5

Apollo

Answer 5

Apollo - Used for bittering, although its pleasant aroma and oil profile make it a candidate for dry hopping along with a variety with bolder character. Storage: Excellent; 5.5-8% alpha; 1.5-2.5% total oil; 5.5%-8% beta; 24-28% cohumulone; 30-50% myrcene; <1% farnesene; 20-35% humulene; 14-20% caryophyllene

Question 6

Bramling Cross

Answer 6

Bramling - one of many Goldings hops first mentioned in the mid-nineteenth century; has black currant aroma, american tang; Storage: Poor; 6-7.8% alpha; 0.8-1.2% total oil; 2.2-2.8% beta; 26-31% cohumulone; 35-40% myrcene; <1% farnsene; 28-33% humulene; 14-18% caryophyllene

Question 7

Bravo

Answer 7

Bravo - A super alpha prized mostly for efficient bittering. Storage: Good; 14-17% alpha; 1.6-2.5% total oil; 3-4% beta; 29-34% cohumulone; 25-50% myrcene; <1% farnsene; 18-20% humulene; 10-12% caryophyllene

Question 8

Brewers Gold

Answer 8

Brewers Gold (US) - lower alpha and oils in UK, and lower in Germany. Easier to find than Bullion but becoming an oddity; aroma somewhat milder in Germany but in all cases still rich in black currant. Storage: Poor. 8-10% alpha; 2.2-2.4% total oil; 3.5-4.5% beta; 40-48% cohumulone; 37-40% myrcene; <1% farnsene; 29-31% humulene; 7-7.5% caryophyllene

Question 9

Calypso

Answer 9

Calypso - a dual-purpose hop from the Hopsteiner breeding program that may establish itself as “special”. Not tropical as name might imply but rich in both stone fruits (apple and earthy tea, pears and peaches, notes of cherry) and citrus. Storage: Good. 12-14% alpha; 1.6-2.5% total oil; 5-6% beta; 40-42% cohumulone; 30-45% myrcene; <1% farnsene; 20-35% humulene; 19-15% caryophyllene

Question 10

Cascade

Answer 10

Cascade - bold floral, citrusy aroma and flavor began to change the definition of “hoppy”. Most widely grown American hop. Storage: very poor. 4.5-7% alpha; 0.7-1.4% total oil; 4.8-7% beta; 33-40% cohumulone; 45-60% myrcene; 3.7% farnsene; 8-13% humulene; 3.6% caryophyllene

Question 11

Centennial

Answer 11

Centennial - has been called “Super Cascade” and recent demand has skyrocketed right along with increased sales of IPAs. Uniquely floral, perhaps because of the cis-rose compound found in few other varieties. Storage: Fair. 9.5-11.5% alpha; 1.5-2.3% total oil; 3.5-4.5% beta; 29-30% cohumulone; 45-55% myrcene; <1% farnsene; 10-18% humulene; 5-8% caryophyllene

Question 12

Challenger

Answer 12

Challenger - bred and grown mostly in the UK, its character synonymous with “English Hops:, maybe because in the 1970s Bass embraced it. Fruity and spicy. Storage: very good to excellent. 6.5-8.5% alpha; 1-1.7% total oil; 4-4.5% beta; 20-25% cohumulone; 30-42% myrcene; <1-3% farnsene; 25-32% humulene; 8-10% caryophyllene

Question 13

Chinook

Answer 13

Chinook - The piney, resinous aroma it delivers when used in dry hopping has become a hallmark of hopcentric american beers. Bred for bittering and still used for that, but now known for complex, fruity-piney contributions. Storage: good. 12-14% alpha; 1.7-2.7% total oil; 3-4% beta; 29-35% cohumulone; 35-40% myrcene; <1% farnsene; 18-23% humulene; 9-11% caryophyllene. Additional info: This 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).

Question 14

Citra

Answer 14

Citra - poster child for “flavor” or “special” hops and in demand well beyond the US. Rich in passion fuit, lychee, peach, gooseberries, and a laundry list of other usual hop flavors. Storage: fair. 11-13% alpha; 2.2-2.8% total oil; 3.5-4.5% beta; 22-24% cohumulone; 60-65% myrcene; 0% farnsene; 11-13% humulene; 6-8% caryophyllene

Question 15

Cluster

Answer 15

Cluster - 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. They can give a black currant aroma/flavor. Storage: Excellent. 5.5-8.5% alpha; 0.4-0.8% total oil; 4.5-5.5% beta; 37-43% cohumulone; 45-55% myrcene; <1% farnsene; 15-18% humulene; 6-7% caryophyllene

Question 16

Centennial Additional Info

Answer 16

Centennial - American 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.

Question 17

Columbus

Answer 17

Columbus - include Tomahawk and Zeus and refered to as CTZ. Often used for bittering, but aromas differ between Tomahawk and Zeus. Columbus often brightly fruity and spicy. Storage: very poor. 14-16.5% alpha; 2-3% total oil; 4-5% beta; 28-32% cohumulone; 40-50% myrcene; <1% farnsene; 112-18% humulene; 9-11% caryophyllene

Question 18

Crystal

Answer 18

Crystal - takes on different characteristics depending on how it is used. Can be mild, spicy, and floral or pungent. Storage: very poor. 3.5-5.5% alpha; 1-1.5% total oil; 4.5-6.5% beta; 20-26% cohumulone; 40-65% myrcene; s Gold and Early Green. It is spicier than Hallertau (cinnamon, black pepper, and nutmeg)

Question 19

Delta

Answer 19

Delta - a backcross between Fuggle and Cascade. Woody and herbal with a citrus kick. not as assertive as dual purpose hopes but adds distinctive notes in a blend. Storage: excellent. 5-7% alpha; 0.5-1.1% total oil; 5.5-7% beta; 22-24% cohumulone; 25-40% myrcene; <1% farnsene; 30-40% humulene; 9-15% caryophyllene.

Question 20

El Dorado

Answer 20

El Dorado - Fits the dual purpose/special mold; intense aromas: stone fruits (pear, cherries), cand (ligesavers). Storage: good. 14-16% alpha; 2.5-2.8% total oil; 7-8% beta; 28-33% cohumulone; 55-60% myrcene; <1% farnsene; 110-15% humulene; 6-8% caryophyllene.

Question 21

Fuggle

Answer 21

Fuggle - English hop (fruity, spicy, woody) by itself or along with Golding. Storage: fair. 3-5.6% alpha; 0.7-1.4% total oil; 2-3% beta; 25-30% cohumulone; 24-28% myrcene; 5-7% farnsene; 33-38% humulene; 9-13% caryophyllene.

Question 22

Caryophyllene

Answer 22

Caryophyllene adds a spicy, herbal character similar to humulene when boiled. Its effect on flavor when fresh is not well understood.

Question 22

Farnesene

Answer 22

Farnesene makes up a very low percentage of total oil in most hop varieties. However, it is considered significant because it makes up a substantial proportion of some noble hops. Its effect on flavor and aroma is unknown.

Question 23

Galaxy

Answer 23

Galaxy - high in alpha but used mostly for late/dry hopping. Rich in passion fruit, citrus, apricot, melon, black currant. Can be intense, even pungent. Storage ?. 13.5-15% alpha; 2.4-2.7% total oil; 5.8-6% beta; 35% cohumulone; 33-42% myrcene; 3-4% farnsene; 1-2% humulene; 9-12% caryophyllene.

Question 24

Humulene

Answer 24

Humulene is thought to lend the distinctive “noble” character to noble hops; most varieties traditionally considered noble are high in humulene, while many bittering hop varieties have very low levels. The noble character is strongest when the hops are used in dry hopping or late hop additions; if boiled for longer periods, humulene lends the finished beer an herbal or spicy character.

Question 25

adhumulone

Answer 25

The third identified alpha acid is adhumulone (R=2-methylbutyryl), which usually occurs in relatively small amounts. Its effect on bitterness and flavor is not well understood.

Question 26

cohumulone

Answer 26

Traditionally, cohumulone (R=isobutyryl) has been considered to add a harsh, unpleasant bitterness to beer, and so low-cohumulone varieties were considered more desirable for brewing purposes; most noble hops have relatively low cohumulone. For this reason, cohumulone is often the only alpha acid identified specifically by hop producers. Cohumulone is indicated as a percentage (by weight) of the total alpha acid content of a hop.
However, recently the role of cohumulone has been called into question, as new high-alpha hop varieties that are also high in cohumulone have come onto the market which are considered to impart a good bitterness.

Question 28

Humulone

Answer 28

Humulone (R=isovaleryl) is the primary alpha acid occurring in most hops. It is thought to give a desirable “soft” bittering to the finished beer.

Question 29

Galena

Answer 29

Released 1978, but popularity dropped in 2007 when Super Galena replaced Galena. Occasionally used for its floral/citrus aroma at large breweries focused on pale lagers. Storage: Very good to excellent. 11-13.5% alpha; 0.9-1.3% total oil; 7.2-8.7% beta; 36-40% cohumulone; 55-60% myrcene; <1% farnesene; 10-13% humulene; 4.5-6.5% caryophyllene

Question 30

Glacier

Answer 30

A product of the USDA breeding program, notable for extremely low cohymylone. Pleasant, classically mild aroma, floral, including citrus and stone fruits, most notably peach. Storage Good; 5-6% alpha; 0.7-1.6% total oil; 7.6% beta; 11-13% cohumulone; 33-62% myrcene; <`% garnesene; 24-35% humulene; 6.5-10% caryophyllene.

Question 31

Green Bullet

Answer 31

Although known for its then-high alpha when released in 1972, now valued for its aroma. Floral and fruity (including hint of grape). Floral-estery fraction 2.3% citrus-piney fraction 7.9%. Storage good; 11-14% alpha; 1.1% total oil; 6.5-7% beta; 41-43% cohumulone; 38% myrcene; <1% farnesene; 28% humulene; 9% caryophyllene

Question 32

Hallertau Merkur

Answer 32

A bittering hop used primarily in pale lagers. Earthy, floral, spicy. Storage good; 10-14% alpha; 1.4-1.9% total oil; 3.5-7% beta; 17-22% cohumulone; 25-35% myrcene; <1% farnesene; 45-55% humulene; 10-15% caryophyllene

Question 33

Hallertau Mittelfruh

Answer 33

Classic landrace hop, complex but subtle, well suited for lagers. The USDA program bred numerous hybrids attempting to replicate its herbal, spicy, mildly woody aromas and flavors. Storage Poor; 3-55% alpha; 0.7-1.3% total oil; 3-5% beta; 18-28% cohumulone; 20-28% myrcene; <1% farnesene; 45-55% humulene; 10-15% caryophyllene

Question 34

Herkules

Answer 34

German bred, aptly named, herkules looks like an alpha tree in the field, thick with cones from the ground to the wire. High alpha, high yields. Smoothly bitter, a reminder that assessing cohymuylone’s role is complicate. Storage Very good. 12-17% alpha; 1.6-2.4% total oil; 4-5.5% beta; 32-38% cohumulone; 30-50% myrcene; <1% farnesene; 30-45% humulene; 7% caryophyllene

Question 35

Hersbrucker/Hersbrucker Spat

Answer 35

Classically spicy, herbal, with hints of citrus, stone fruit. Would make a perfect hop perfume. Storage: poor to fair. 1.5-4% alpha; 0.5-1% total oil; 2.5-6% beta; 17-25% cohumulone; 15-30% myrcene; <1% farnesene; 20-303% humulene; 8-13% caryophyllene

Question 36

Horizon

Answer 36

A half-sister of Nugget that some brewers like for bittering because of its low cohumulone. Dual purpose because of its floral character and spicey undertones. Storage: fair to good. 11-13% alpha; 1.5-2% total oil; 6.5-8.5% beta; 16-19% cohumulone; 55-65% myrcene; 2.5-3.5% farnesene; 11-13% humulene; 2.5-3.5% caryophyllene

Question 37

Kent Golding

Answer 37

Essential for English beer. Storage very good; 4-6.5% alpha; 0.4-0.8% total oil; 1.9-2.8% beta; 28-32% cohumulone; 20-26% myrcene; <1% farnesene; 38-44% humulene; 12-16% caryophyllene

Question 38

Liberty

Answer 38

One of four triploid Hallertau Mittelfruh varieties rleased by the USDA program, and considered ‘closest’ to the original. Storage: very poor. 3-5% alpha; 0.6-1.2% total oil; 3-4% beta; 24-30% cohumulone; 20-40% myrcene; <1% farnesene; 35-40% humulene; 9-12% caryophyllene

Question 39

Magnum

Answer 39

High alpha hop and german grown variety smells more ‘noble’ than american. Storage: very good. 11-16% alpha; 1.6-2.6% total oil; 5-7% beta; 21-29% cohumulone; 30-45% myrcene; <1% farnesene; 30-45% humulene; 8-12% caryophyllene

Question 40

Mosaic

Answer 40

AKA HBC 369. Daughter of Simcoe and crossed with a disease-resistant, nugget-derived male. Rich in mango, lemon, citrus, pine, and notably, blueberry. 11-13.5% alpha; 1.5% total oil; 3.2-3.9% beta; 2.4-2.6% cohumulone; 54% myrcene; <1% farnesene; 13% humulene; 6.4% caryophyllene

Question 41

Motueka

Answer 41

1/3 Saaz crossed with New Zealand stock. First called belgian saaz. Citrus, notaly lemon and lime, and tropical fruit. Floral-estery fraction 4% citrus-piney fraction 18.3% Storage good. 6.5-7.5% alpha; 0.8% total oil; 5-5.5% beta; 29% cohumulone; 48% myrcene; 12% farnesene; 3.6% humulene; 2% caryophyllene

Question 42

Mt. Hood

Answer 42

Another triploid daughter of Hallertau Mittlefruh. Flourished in the 1990s but limited acreage today. Storage: poor. 4-7% alpha; 1.2-1.7% total oil; 5-8% beta; 21-23% cohumulone; 30-40% myrcene; <1% farnesene; 30-38% humulene; 13-16% caryophyllene

Question 43

Nelson Sauvin

Answer 43

Sauvignon Blanc character, richly fruity, somewhate tropical, beyond the white wine notes. Floral-estery fraction 2.8%, citrus-piney fraction 7.8%. Storage, good; 12-13% alpha; 1-1.2% total oil; 6-8% beta; 22-26% cohumulone; 21-23% myrcene; <1% farnesene; 35-37% humulene; 10-12% caryophyllene

Question 44

Newport

Answer 44

A high alpha hop developed by the USDA. Overall aroma is mild, but used in dry hopping can be pungent, resiny. Storage, fair; 13.5-17% alpha; 1.6-3.4% total oil; 7.2-9.1 beta; 36-38 cohumulone.

Question 45

Northern Brewer

Answer 45

An offspring of Brewers Gold, with high enough alpha that it was once a popular bittering hop in Germany. Milder aroma (half the level of myrcene and little “American tang”) when grown in Germany. Storage: very good to excellent. 6-10% alpha; 1-1.6% total oil; 3-5 beta; 27-32 cohumulone.

Question 46

Nugget

Answer 46

Released by the USDA in 1983 to meet demand for higher alpha hops, and remains a staple for Oregon farmers. pleasant herbal aroma. Grown in germany (milder aroma) for 20 years but not much now. Storage very good to excellent. 11-14% alpha, 0.9-2.2% total oil; 3-5.8% beta; 22-30% cohumulone.

Question 47

Pacifica

Answer 47

A cross between Hallertau Mittelfruh and New Zealand breeding stock, formerly called Pacific Hallertau. Basically a bolder version of Mittelfruh, floral-estery fraction 1.6%, citrus-piney fraction 6.9%; Storage good; 5-6% alpha; 1% total oil; 5.5-6% beta; 25% cohumulone.

Question 48

Palisade

Answer 48

Bred at Yakima Chief Ranches primarily for aroma (floral, fruity, and can be tropical). Versatile, complements hops with”special” aroma well. Storage, good; 5.5-9.5% alpha; 1.4-1.6% total oil; 6-8% beta; 24-29% cohumulone.

Question 49

Perle

Answer 49

Bred in germany with Northern Brewer as a parent. minty, spicy aroma, and what germans call “mild”. Some years alpha high enough to use as bittering hop. Also grown in American Northwest. Storage, very good to excellent. 4-9% alpha; 0.5-1.5% total oil; 2.5-4.5% beta; 29-35% cohumulone.

Question 50

Polaris

Answer 50

Another of the new varieties available to German hop growers beginning in 2012. Very high alpha and stunningly high oil content, its aroma variously described as “ice candy”, eucalyptus, peppermint, and citrus. 19-23% alpha; 4.4% total oil; 5-7% beta; 27% cohumulone.

Question 51

Rakau

Answer 51

Previously known as alpharoma. Has been compared to Nelson Sauvin as a “flavor hop”. Aroma/flavor includes tropical fruit, passion fruit, and peach. Floral-estery fraction 1.2%, citrus/piney 5.7%. Storage, good. 10.8% alpha; 2.1% total oil; 4.6% beta; 25% cohumulone.

Question 52

Riwaka

Answer 52

Saazer-tupe hop crossed with New Zealand breeding material, first called D Saaz. Piney, tropical aromas. In short supply. Floral-estery fraction 2.8%, citrus-piney fraction 5.9%. Storage, good. 4.5-6.5% alpha; 0.8% total oil; 4-5% beta; 29-36% cohumulone.

Question 53

Saaz

Answer 53

Grown in Czech. Grown elsewhere but original distinctive, pleasent, and delicate. First organic Saaz released after 2012 harvet. Storage, poor. 3-6% alpha; 0.4-1% total oil; 4.5-8% beta; 23-26% cohumulone.

Question 54

Santium

Answer 54

Developed by the USDA in Oregon to mimic the character of Tettnang Tettnanger with high level of alpha acids. Herbal and spicy. Storage, fair to good. 5.5-7% alpha; 1.3-1.7% total oil; 7-8.5% beta; 20-22% cohumulone.

Question 55

Saphir

Answer 55

Developed like Opal and Smaragd for “classic” aroma. Pleasantly spicy, with hints of New World berry/citrus character. Versatile, stands up to fruity/clovy ale yeasts. Storage, good. 2-4.5% alpha; 0.8-1.4% total oil; 4-7% beta; 12-17% cohumulone.

Question 56

Simcoe

Answer 56

Its aroma has become another hallmark of dry-hopped American beers, pushed to the edge of pungent and “catty” and sometimes beyond. Intense, rich in multiple citrus fruits, black currant, berries, and pine. Storage, good. 12-14% alpha; 2-2.5% total oil; 4-5% beta; 15-20% cohumulone.

Question 57

Sorachi Ace

Answer 57

Striking lemon character, originally USDA, but now bred in Japan. 10-16% alpha; 2-2.8% total oil; 6-7% beta; 23% cohumulone.

Question 58

Southern Cross

Answer 58

Dual purpose. Popular in New Zealand lagers. has attractive aromas that include citrus (lemon), spice, and pine. Floral-estery fraction 2.7%, Citrus-piney fraction 6.9%. Storage, good. 11-14% alpha; 1.2% total oil; 5-6% beta; 25-28% cohumulone.

Question 59

Sterling

Answer 59

The daughter of Saaz clone and a father that had Cascad and several European cultivars in his background. the result is a hop with saaz character, including a spicy and citrus aroma, which has much more alpha acid content. Storage, good. 6-9% alpha; 1.3-1.9% total oil; 4-6% beta; 22-28% cohumulone.

Question 60

Styrian Golding

Answer 60

Not really a Golding, actually a Fuggle. now delicately different, Storage, very good. 4.5-6% alpha; 0.5-1% total oil; 2-3.5% beta; 25-30% cohumulone.

Question 61

Summer

Answer 61

Summer and Sylva are Australian sister that were selected from Saaz crosses, with chemical characteristics similar to their ancestor. Summer is lighter and fruitier, though still spicy and floral, with tealike components. 4-7% alpha; 0.9-1.3% total oil; 4.8-6.1% beta; 22-25% cohumulone.

Question 62

Summit

Answer 62

Has strong citrus and grapefruit aromas and flavors, making it suitable as a dual purpose hop, but can drift toward onion and garlic. Storage, excellent. 13-15.5% alpha; 1.5-2.5% total oil; 4-6% beta; 26-33% cohumulone.

Question 63

Super Galena

Answer 63

A granddaughter of Galena. noteworthy for both high alpha and yield. 13-16% alpha; 1.5-2.5% total oil; 8-10% beta; 35-40% cohumulone.

Question 64

Target

Answer 64

English hop with high alpha acid; Storage, poor. 9.5-12.5% alpha; 1.2-1.4% total oil; 4.3-5.7% beta; 35-40% cohumulone.

Question 65

Tettnang Tettnanger

Answer 65

Member of the Saaz family, with similar but different aromas, unique to the Tettnang region.