The bittering contribution of hops in beer comes from the alpha acids (AA%) contained within hops. Normally hops high in AA% are also low in essential oil content thus providing little to no aroma or flavor. Alpha acids are broken-down (isomerized) during the boiling process; therefore bittering hops are normally added early in the brewing process to maximize the extraction.
This American bred hop offers a noble aroma that is ideal for all Lagers, Belgian Ales, and Wheats. Low bittering power lets the rich aroma of spicy, floral, and woodsy notes to sing in your brew.
Alpha Acids:5 - 6 %
Beta Acids: 5 - 7 %
Total Oil: 0.8 - 1.2 mL/100g
One of the classic "C" hops of American craft beer, many acres in Oregon and Washington are under Centennial. Bred in 1974 and released in 1990, its complex parentage includes Brewers Gold, Fuggle, and East Kent Goldings. Centennial is a dual-purpose variety with high alpha acids and excellent aromatic capabilities. It's widely used as a finishing or dry hop as a stand-alone variety or part of a blend. The flavor and aroma notes are predominantly citrusy but with undertones of lemongrass and pine needles often evident.
Hop Type: Dual-Purpose
Origin: United States
Alpha Acid: 7.8%
Similar Varieties: Cascade, Chinook
Common Styles: American style Pale Ale, IPA, Stout, Blond Ale, Wheat Ale
The major landrace variety in the region of the same name in far southern Germany, Tettnang has common ancestry with Saaz but a unique profile due to its provenance. It is a classic European noble hop. Tettnang s complex and delicate flavors make it ideal for traditional German lagers, particularly Bavarian styles, Weissbiers, and German or Belgian ales. The flavor and aroma is a mix of floral, fruity, herbal and spicy - fresh herbs, grass, dried flowers, citrus peel, black tea. It can have a bit more intensity than Hallertau but with as much balance.
Hop Type: Dual-Purpose
Origin: Germany
Alpha Acid: 3.8%
Similar Varieties: Saaz, Crystal, Spalter Select, Hersbrucker
Common Styles: German and Belgian styles
Developed by Select Botanicals Group and released in 2000, Simcoe Brand YCR 14 cv. is known for its brewing versatility and unique aroma characteristics. It contains high alpha and low-cohumlone which has found favor in the craft and home brewing industries for dual purpose applications. Simcoe is moderately tolerant to powdery mildew and has good packability of a medium size cone.
Alpha Acid: 11.5 - 15%
Beta Acid: 3 - 4.5%
Co-humulone: 17 - 21%
Total Oil: 0.8 - 3.2 mL/100g
B-Pinene: 0.5 - 1% of total oil
Myrcene: 40 - 50% of total oil
Linalool: 0.5 - 0.9% of total oil
Caryophyllene: 8 - 14% of total oil
Farnesene: < 1.0% of total oil
Humulene: 15 - 20% of total oil
Geraniol: 0.8 - 0.8% of total oil
Known as HBC 369 until its release in 2012, Mosaic , as the name implies offers a complex array of desirable aroma and flavors. It is a daughter of Simcoe and a Nugget-derived male. Mosaic is often compared to Citra, with which it shares a respectable alpha content but a highly-desired oil profile that makes it most commonly used for flavor and aroma. Its exotic, fruit-laden bouquet lends itself well to American-style IPAs, saisons, wheats, and Brettanomyces-fermented beers. It offers strong impressions of citrus oil, balsam pine, blueberry, peach and tropical fruit (especially mango, but also shades of lime and mandarin orange).
Hop Type: Dual-Purpose
Origin: United States
Alpha Acid: 11.2 %
Similar Varieties: Citra®
Common Styles: American Pale Ale, IPA
Idaho 7 is an experimental hop variety that was born out of Jackson Hop Farm in Wilder, Idaho (who would have thought). It's considered a dual-purpose hop due to its high alpha acid content (9%-14%) while also having a high oil content which makes it a solid finishing hop. Now let's take a look at all the cool science stuff:
Alpha Acids: 14 %Beta Acids: 4%-5%Total Oil: 1.0 -1.6Aroma & Flavor Profile: Pungent tropical fruit and citrus (orange, apricot, red grapefruit, papaya). Big notes of resiny pine and hints of black tea.
Columbus is a bittering hop from the United States. Used in IPAs, Imperial Ales, and Pale Ales. Can be referred to as CTZ (Columbus, Tomahawk, Zeus). Has an aroma profile of black pepper, licorice, and citrus.
Alpha Acids: 15.6%
Beta Acids: 4.5 - 6 %
Total Oil: 2.5 - 4.5 mL/100g
One of the classic "C" hops of American craft beer, many acres in Oregon and Washington are under Centennial. Bred in 1974 and released in 1990, its complex parentage includes Brewers Gold, Fuggle, and East Kent Goldings. Centennial is a dual-purpose variety with high alpha acids and excellent aromatic capabilities. It's widely used as a finishing or dry hop as a stand-alone variety or part of a blend. The flavor and aroma notes are predominantly citrusy but with undertones of lemongrass and pine needles often evident.
Hop Type: Dual-Purpose
Origin: United States
Alpha Acid: 7.8%
Similar Varieties: Cascade, Chinook
Common Styles: American style Pale Ale, IPA, Stout, Blond Ale, Wheat Ale
Also known as VGXP01, the Amarillo® variety is exclusively managed by Virgil Gamache Farms of Toppenish, WA, where it was originally found growing wild in 1998.With respectable alpha acid content, Amarillo¨ can be a dual-purpose hop and contribute to bittering additions, but with its unique, highly sought-after aromas and flavors combined with high demand, it s most often seen in late-kettle or whirlpool additions and as a dry hop. Amarillo® is intense and pungent. Red grapefruit overtones reminiscent of Cascade are overlaid with tropical fruit and ripe melon. It can contribute a renowned musty dank quality much prized by those who love it.
Hop Type: Dual-Purpose
Origin: United States
Alpha Acid: (8.0 - 11.0)%
Similar Varieties: Centennial, Cascade
Common Styles: Pale Ale, IPA, Imperial IPA, Red Ale
Known as HBC 369 until its release in 2012, Mosaic , as the name implies offers a complex array of desirable aroma and flavors. It is a daughter of Simcoe and a Nugget-derived male. Mosaic is often compared to Citra, with which it shares a respectable alpha content but a highly-desired oil profile that makes it most commonly used for flavor and aroma. Its exotic, fruit-laden bouquet lends itself well to American-style IPAs, saisons, wheats, and Brettanomyces-fermented beers. It offers strong impressions of citrus oil, balsam pine, blueberry, peach and tropical fruit (especially mango, but also shades of lime and mandarin orange).
Hop Type: Dual-Purpose
Origin: United States
Alpha Acid: 11.2 %
Similar Varieties: Citra®
Common Styles: American Pale Ale, IPA
El Dorado is a unique, dual-purpose hop with exceptional aroma qualities and high alpha acid levels. A relatively new variety, its consistent performance eliciting fruity notes, especially tropical fruit flavors, has quickly made El Dorado popular for hop-forward styles or beers with complex flavor profiles. Tasting notes commonly specify aromas of watermelon, pear, candy, or stone fruit. There is often an undertone of citrus, and sometimes an identifiable fresh-cut-grass taste.
Hop Type: Dual-Purpose
Origin: Moxee, WA (US)
Alpha Acid: 13.6%
Similar Varieties: Citra, Nelson Sauvin, Rakau
Common Styles: American Pale Ale, IPA
Galaxy is a highly desired hop not only for its great bittering potential, but for its aromatics as well. This dual-purpose hop has become a favorite for pale ales and IPAs because of its subtle citrus notes and undertones of passionfruit, mango, and peach.
Hop Type: Dual-Purpose
Origin: Australia
Alpha Acid: 14.1%
Similar Varieties: Citra
Warrior is a high alpha acid bittering hop with low cohumulone content. It produces a strong bitterness that is nevertheless pleasant and smooth. Warrior is sometimes used to impart flavor and aroma, but its character in that regard is very mild. It's an excellent choice for establishing substantial baseline bitterness in IPAs, allowing hop character to be determined by later additions.
Hop Type: Bittering
Origin: United States
Alpha Acid: 16.3%
Similar Varieties: Columbus, Magnum
Common Styles: IPA, Imperial IPA, American Ales
The peak of high-alpha varieties, Summit has exceptional alpha acid levels and a high oil content. It has a strong grapefruit aroma with notes of orange and tangerine. Used primarily for bittering, it has been employed for dry-hopping with some success.
Hop Type: Bittering
Origin: United States
Alpha Acid: 16.3%
Similar Varieties: Simcoe, Columbus, Warrior, Millenium
Common Styles: IPAs, Imperial IPAs
Originally developed in the 1980s in Japan for Sapporo, recent years have seen Sorachi Ace gaining acreage in the Pacific Northwest. Its parentage includes Brewers Gold, Saaz, and Beikei No. 2. With a potent alpha acid level, Sorachi is a more than capable bittering hop, while its unique aromatics make it welcome in styles that embrace bright citrus character: saison, witbier, and exotic riffs on IPA. Sorachi Ace is distinctive with a suggestion of dill and unmistakable overtones of lemon, including wood polish, fruit pith, and Lemon Zinger tea.
Hop Type: Dual-Purpose
Origin: United States
Alpha Acid: 12.0 %
Similar Varieties: Southern Cross
Common Styles: Pilsner, Saison, IPA
Bred from Norther Brewer and English Golding stock, Target is an excellent bittering hop with a classic English character. While typically used for its high alpha percentage, this hop has gained some popularity for its aroma as well.
Hop Type: Dual-Purpose
Origin: United Kingdom
Alpha Acid: 10.8%
Similar Varieties: Fuggle, Willamette
Zythos is a new "IPA style" hop blend created to optimize and exceed the aroma characteristics of the traditional, and sometimes hard to get, IPA hops. Hopunion had a team of professional hop sniffers blending combinations of hops. The interesting thing about blending hops is like blending wine - the blend actually ends up being different than the sum of the parts. Pretty cool. This is a perfect hop for West Coast style hoppy Pale Ales and IPA's. With that said we have seen, sniffed and tasted all kinds of traditional styles made with aggressive IPA hops. You are only limited by your creativity.
Alpha Acids:9.2%
Beta Acids:4.7 - 6.2 %
Total Oil: 0.7 - 1.2 mL/100g
Bred at Hülll from English Northern Brewer stock, Perle became extremely popular with German growers and brewers after its release in 1978. Primarily an aroma hop, in an excellent year it can have high enough alpha content for use as bittering as well. Its combination of delicacy and brightness go well with the clean flavors of European lagers and cold-fermented ales, as well as the yeast character of many Belgian beers. Some brewers also find nontraditional use for its flavors in blends for pale ale and other hoppy warm-fermented styles. Its aroma is lively and sweet with harmonized suggestions of fresh mint and spice in the nose. On the palate, Perle shows a complex mix of floral and spice with mild to medium intensity.
Hop Type: Aroma
Origin: Germany
Alpha Acid: 7.1 %
Similar Varieties: Liberty, Northern Brewer, Cluster
Common Styles: Continental Ales and Lagers
Pacific Jade is a high-alpha hop that produces a very soft bitterness, attributable to its low cohumulone content. The smooth bitterness can allow the mouthfeel or flavor characteristics of other ingredients to be featured without sacrificing hoppiness. The bold, citrus and pepper aroma provides excellent results in dual-purpose applications, and nicely compliments full, malty beers.
Hop Type: Bittering
Origin: New Zealand
Alpha Acid: 14.5%
Common Styles: American pale ales, IPA
Nelson Sauvin is a highly prized, dual-purpose hop that has been used in a wide range of styles by craft brewers. It has a distinctive aroma, similar to Sauvignon Blanc wine or crushed gooseberries. Notes of passionfruit and tangerine are apparent as well. Nelson Sauvin has a low cohumulone content, which imparts a smooth bitterness.
Hop Type: Dual-Purpose
Origin: New Zealand
Alpha Acid: 10.6 %
This American bred hop offers a noble aroma that is ideal for all Lagers, Belgian Ales, and Wheats. Low bittering power lets the rich aroma of spicy, floral, and woodsy notes to sing in your brew.
Alpha Acids:5 - 6 %
Beta Acids: 5 - 7 %
Total Oil: 0.8 - 1.2 mL/100g
Super Alpha, despite its name, is a versatile, dual-purpose hop. Slight notes of fresh grass underlie a complex aroma of pine and lemongrass, making Super Alpha a desirable choice for late hop additions or dry hopping. When used for bittering, Super Alpha can deliver a very crisp, bitter edge to the back palate, and adds a slight resinous character. This interesting hop can be used in ales or lagers, and in both classic and new-world styles.
Hop Type: Dual-Purpose
Origin: New Zealand
Alpha Acid: 13.2%
Similar to its Saaz parent, Sterling has an herbal aroma with floral and citrus notes. But its higher alpha acid content makes it suitable for dual-purpose applications in a wide variety of beer styles.
Hop Type: Dual-Purpose
Origin: United States
Alpha Acid: 12.3
Similar Varieties: Saaz, Lublin
Common Styles: Czech Lagers, Belgian Ales, American Ales
Nugget was bred in 1970 to meet a growing demand for high-alpha hops, and remains one of the most widely cultivated varieties in Oregon hopyards. Its lineage includes Brewers Gold, Early Green, and Canterbury Goldings. Known best for the smooth, clean bitterness it imparts, Nugget can also be put to use as an aroma hop. It is right at home in most American craft styles, especially those for which hop bitterness is a primary component. The aroma and flavor are mild and quite sweet with a low-key, herbal/fruit quality: lemon candy, ginger, fresh oregano, rosemary.
Hop Type: Bittering
Origin: United States
Alpha Acid: 15.3%
Similar Varieties: Galena, Magnum, Columbus
Common Styles: IPA