Types of Hops

Hops

Hops are available in two forms: Pellet hops are pulverized hop flowers compressed into small cylindrical pellets. Pelletizing helps to keep hops fresh by reducing exposure to oxygen. Pellet hops are very easy to work with as the hops disintegrate when added to wort, and settle out in the kettle or fermenter. Whole hops are unadulterated whole hop flowers. Whole hops are more susceptible to oxidation, and hence harder to store than pellets. They also need to be strained out of the wort before fermentation. Whole hops absorb a lot of liquid, and may negatively impact yield.

Amarillo

Typical alpha: 6.0 - 9.0%. A new US variety with a citrus-like aroma similar to Cascade, but with a higher alpha acid content.

Cascade

Typical alpha: 4.5 - 7.0%. Cascade is overwhelmingly popular among US microbrewers. Its unmistakable grapefruity-citrus aroma makes this one of the easiest hops to recognize. Cascade is the signature aroma hop of: Anchor Liberty Ale, Sierra-Nevada Pale Ale, and most other West Coast ales.

Centennial

Typical alpha: 9.0 - 12.0%. Centennial is an extremely popular new bittering variety. Widely known as a "supercharged" Cascade, it has a quite pleasant aroma.

Challenger

Typical alpha: 6.5 - 10.0%. Mild, resiny English aroma hop bred from Northern Brewer stock.

Chinook

Typical alpha: 11.0 - 13.0%. Best used in low-bitterness beers; overuse results in coarse, harsh bitterness. Occasionally used as an aroma hop. Minimum 60 minute boil recommended.

Cluster

Typical alpha: 6.0 - 8.0%. Sharp, "catty" American hop, used for bittering and aroma.

Columbus

Typical alpha: 10 - 12%. Very pungent aroma, clean bittering properties.

Fuggle

Typical alpha: 4.5 - 5.0%. Classic English aroma hop. Use in all English beers: pale ale, brown ale, porter, stout. Spicier and stronger aroma than East Kent Goldings.

Galena

Typical alpha: 12.0 - 14.0%. Best used in low-bitterness beers; overuse results in coarse, harsh bitterness. Minimum 60 minute boil recommended.

Goldings - East Kent (English)

Typical alpha: 4.0 - 6.0%. Classic English aroma hop. Mild and floral aroma. Use in all English beers: pale ale, brown ale, porter, stout.

Goldings - Yakima (American)

Typical alpha: 4.0 - 6.0%. The American-grown version of this classic English aroma hop. Mild and floral aroma. Use in all English beers: pale ale, brown ale, porter, stout.

Hallertau Hallertauer

Typical alpha: 3.0 - 5.0%. Classic German hop with a mild, noble aroma, slightly fruity and spicy, flowery and hay-like. Ideal for aroma and flavor in any German beer, and is also suitable for use in other Continental styles, Belgian ales and lagers.

Hallertau Hersbrucker

Typical alpha: 4.0 - 6.0%. Our German Hallertau is grown in the Hersbrucker region. It is appropriate in any lager, regardless of color or gravity. Hersbrucker has a very pleasant, spicy, earthy aroma.

Liberty

Typical alpha: 3.0 - 5.0%. Very spicy American substitute for Hallertau Mittelfrüh. Suitable for all lagers

Magnum (aka Yakima Magnum)

Typical alpha: 12 - 17%. Spicy, citrusy, super-high alpha bittering hop from the Pacific Northwest.

Mt. Hood

Typical alpha: 4.0 - 7.0%. American substitute for Hallertau Mittelfrüh. Suitable for all lagers.

Northern Brewer

Typical alpha: 7.0% - 10.0%. High alpha acid Hallertau variety. Good aroma. Signature aroma hop of: Anchor Steam.

Nugget

Typical alpha: 9.0 - 11.0%. High-alpha American bittering hop with a delicate, pleasant aroma.

Perle

Typical alpha: 6.5 - 9.0%. Bittering hop of German origin. Crisp, minty bitterness.

Saaz

Typical alpha: 3.0 - 4.5%. Very distinctive, floral aroma. Required aroma hop for Bohemian Pilsners. Appropriate for most other lagers. Widely used in Belgian Ales. Signature aroma hop of: Pilsner Urquell.

Saphir (Organic)

Typical alpha: 4%. From Germany. This new disease-resistant variety has a very sweet and light citrus character with herbal overtones. Great finishing hop for European lagers and ales, but suitable for a variety of beers.

Simcoe

Typical alpha: 12.0 - 14.0%. Used for its aromatic and especially for its bittering properties due to its low cohumulone content.

Spalt

Typical alpha: 4.0 - 5.5%. Imported from Bavaria. Spalt has a pleasant, slightly spicy aroma. It is widely used in German Alt.

Strisselspalt

Typical alpha: 1.5-6.5%. These authentic French Strisselspalt are just the thing for making Saison or Biere de Garde. Very mild, with aromas of black currant.

Styrian Goldings

Typical alpha: 4.0 - 5.0%. Despite its name, it is a close relative of Fuggle, not Kent Goldings. Appropriate in all English beers: pale ale, brown ale, porter, stout. Widely used in Belgian Ales.

Summit

Typical alpha: 17.0 - 19.0%. A brand new super-high alpha dwarf variety grown on low trellis systems in the Yakima valley. It has a low cohumulone content with a strong orange/tangerine citrus character.

Target

Typical alpha: 7.0 - 9.0%. Target is the most widely grown English hop variety. Bred as a cross between Northern Brewer and Kent Goldings, it is an all-purpose English hop useful for both bittering and aroma.

Tettnang

Typical alpha: 4.0 - 5.0%. Appropriate for all German lagers. Mild aroma is suitable for U.S. "premium" lagers.

Willamette

Typical alpha: 4.0 - 6.0%. Willamette is an American-grown seedless version of Fuggle. Its aroma is mild, but slightly more spicy that Fuggle.