Hop Variety Descriptions
There are basically two types of 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.
Some varieties are considered dual-purpose (such as Northern Brewer).
Freshops sells a full range of hop varieties available that will cover all your brewing needs. Click here for a current list of available varieties and to place an order.
For a more detailed description of all US hop varieties go to USDA Hop Descriptions.
| Variety | Acid range (Alpha %) | Flavor perception | Commercial example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo® | 8-10% | 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 |
| Cascade | 4-7% | Flowers, citrus & spice with grapefruit the noticeable fragrance quite often. This medium aroma balances the low bittering value. Very popular hop among craft brewers. | Pale Ales, IPAs, Porters |
| Centennial | 8-11% | Flowers & citrus most evident. A medium aroma with mid to high bittering value makes it a dual purpose choice. | Ales, IPAs |
| Chinook | 11-13% | A pine forest washed with exotic spice and infused with grapefruit. This alluring aroma and a high bittering value has gained this hop full respect from craft & major brewers. | Most beer styles from Pale Ales to Lagers |
| Columbus | 14-17% | High on the bittering scale yet also valued for its oil content creates a hop that is an interesting dichotomy of sharp and herbal. | American IPAs & Pale Ales, Stout, Lager |
| Crystal | 3-5% | Genteel, continental lady meets American belle with a delicate blend of spices and flowers. Low bittering value adds to the charm. Craft brewers love her style. | German-style Pilsner, Lager, Kölsch, ESB, Belgian Ales |
| Fuggle | 4.0-5.5% | Classic English aroma hop with moderate bittering value. Pleasant wood and fruit tones will have you heading off to the hunt. Tally-ho, old boy! | English-style beers (particularly Stout), American Ales |
| Hallertau | 5-6% | Named for its origins in the Hallertauer region of Germany, this is a noble aroma hop with ever-so-subtle flower and spice fragrances defining its “über alles” superiority. Very low bittering value. | Pilsner, Bock, Lager, Wheat |
| Kent Golding | 3-5% | The refined older English gentleman with his flowery tones that have produced some of England’s best bitters. | All English-style beers (Ales, ESB, Bitter), Belgian-style Ales |
| Liberty | 2-6% | American cousin to Hallertau with very similar flower and spice characteristics. Best used as a finishing hop in German-style lagers. | Lager, Pilsner, Bock, Kölsch |
| Magnum | 12-17% | A German thoroughbred with limited Pacific Northwest plantings. Prized for its high bittering value, the aromatic nature is one of spice and citrus. | Pale Ales, IPAs, German-style Lager |
| Mosaic® | 11-13% | New in 2012! Simcoe's daughter with earthy, grassy, herbal, citrus, cedar, tropical, spice and stone fruit notes adding to the pine-based pungency! A complex modern gal! | Brown Ales, IPAs, Pale Ales |
| Mt. Hood | 4-5% | Hybrid of Hallertau with similar mild flower/spice aroma characteristics with a hint more of the forest. “Clean” commonly describes it. | Lager, Pilsner, Bock, Wheat |
| Northern Brewer | 7-11% | A plucky American filly found herself an affable English suitor and the happy union was this well-adapted hop with its neutral, clean aroma and slightly higher-than-average bittering value. Dual purpose. | English-style Ales, ESB, Bitter, Porter |
| Nugget | 11-16% | Strong herbal/slight spice aroma and high bittering value (along with desirable growing traits) has brought this hop variety to the forefront of the industry. | All Ales, Stout |
| Perle | 7-8% | A palate-pleaser with its moderate, clean bittering qualities and refreshing, spicy aroma. | A wide range from Pale Ale to Lager to Stout |
| Saaz | 3-5% | The Old World steadfast standby made famous by Pilsner Urquell possesses the aromatic blend of earth and spice notable in European nobles. Low bittering value. | Pilsner, Lager, Wheat, Belgian-style Ales |
| Simcoe® | 12-14% | A hop variety less than 10 years old that is quickly finding its way into the hearts of bitter-loving craft brewers. Intense pine aroma adds to the fresh, youthful vigor. Dual purpose but generally considered a bittering hop. | American Ales, IPAs, Double IPAs |
| Sorachi Ace | 13-16% | A Japanese winner by all counts with its powerful lemon aroma, high bittering value and flavorful personality. | American Ales, Pale Ales, Wheat |
| Sterling | 6-9% | Herbs and spices dominate, flowers and citrus around the fringes. Moderate bittering values with a mix of Saaz and Mt. Hood properties. | Ale, Pilsner, Lager |
| Summit (Dwarf) | 17.5–19.5% | Quite new on the scene (2003) but the consensus is very positive with its “peak” bittering value coupled with robust citrus notes of orange, tangerine and grapefruit. Receiving accolades as an ideal hop for the ultimate Pale Ale. | Drifter Pale Ale, Widmer Brothers |
| Warrior | 14.5- 17.0% | Its high bittering value and very mild aroma offers new dimensions to IPA & Double IPA brewers. | Three Floyd’s Dogfish Head IPA |
| Willamette | 4-6% | The king of aroma hops in the U.S. with its modest bittering value and the joyous harmony of flowers, fruit, earth and spice. | American Pale and Brown Ales, English-style Ales |
| New Zealand Organic Varieties | For an introduction to New Zealand Hop Production, click here. | ||
| Pacific Gem | 15-17% | A pleasing fruity aroma of blackberries with a woodsy flavor are the essence of this variety used mainly as a bittering agent in organic beers. | Organic Pale Ales, IPAs |
| New Zealand Hallertauer | 8-9% | Bred from the German Hallertau Mittelfrüh, this aroma hop is characterized by woodsy, citrusy notes and a clean taste that has staying power. | Organic Pilsner, Lager, German-style beers |
Major US-Grown Varieties
| Variety | Yield | Maturity | Trait | Cone Structure | Picture |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade | high | mid-season | aroma | elongated |  |
| Centennial | high | mid-season | alpha/aroma | medium, dense | |
| Chinook | high | mid to late | alpha/aroma | long with outward bracts |  |
| Crystal | high | mid to late | aroma | medium, oval |  |
| Fuggle | low | early | aroma | small, light |  |
| Galena | high | mid-season | alpha | medium-compact, plump |  |
| Hallertauer | low | early | aroma | loose, small, light |  |
| Liberty | moderate | mid-season | aroma | small, plump, dense |  |
| Mt. Hood | moderate | mid-season | aroma | medium, compact |  |
| Northern Brewer | moderate | mid-season | alpha | medium, loose | |
| Nugget | high | mid-season | alpha | long, tight |  |
| Perle | moderate | early | alpha/aroma | loose, medium long |  |
| Saaz | very low | early | aroma | small, light |  |
| Tettnanger | low | early | aroma | small, compact | |
| Willamette | moderate | mid-season | aroma | medium, round, light |  |