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Wait, wait. I worry what you just heard was: "Give me a lot of hops." What I said was: "Give me all the hops you have." Do you understand? |
I love hops. I love that there are so absurdly many types of hops out there, with new ones being bred all the time. But this very reason to master the Way of the Hop can make it hard to do so. Often you'll go to the homebrew store, recipe in hand, only to find that their outdated website doesn't reflect what hops they actually have in stock. What is a homebrewer to do? Who wants to ask for help? Yet this should be no reason to sub in Cascade yet again.
What you need is a good cheat sheet to take with you.
But so far, I have not found an extensive, complete, easy-to-skim, easy-to-print hop resource even on the internet, and I usually end up searching between a number of (still great) sites. Many of these have much more information on each hop than I generally need at the time, since each hop is given its own page — a format that's not really printer (or last-minute shopping) friendly.
So where can you find an easily-readable, printable, complete guide to every hop variety? Fortunately, I can answer that question, as I just spent a ridiculous number of hours making such a resource. Right here! Click on for the massive, awesome list.
Admiral (UK)
AA Range: 13.5 - 16%
Characteristics: Bred as a replacement for Target with a less harsh bitterness. Weak aroma with mild citrus character.
Substitutes: Target, Challenger
Ahtanum (US)
AA Range: 5.7 - 6.3%
Characteristics: Citrus and floral character, with grapefruit qualities said to be stronger than in Cascade. Ahtanum may also feature resiny or earth notes.
Substitutes: Cascade, Amarillo
Amarillo (US)
AA Range: 8 - 11%
Beta: 6 - 7%
Cohumulone: 21 - 24%
Characteristics: Floral, grapefruit, citrus, peach.
Substitutes: Cascade, Centennial, Citra
Apollo (US)
AA Range: 18 - 22%
Beta: 5.5 - 8%
Cohumulone: 24 - 28%
Characteristics: Orange, with some resin. Dank.
Substitutes: Summit
Aramis (US)
AA Range: 8%
Characteristics: Herbal, floral, earthy, lemon.
Substitutes: N/A
AA Range: 7 - 9%
Characteristics: General "hoppy" aroma, fruity.
Substitutes: Styrian Golding, Premiant, Northern Brewer
Azacca (US)
AA Range: 14 - 16%
Beta: 5.4%
Cohumulone: N/A
Characteristics: Fresh citrus, tangerine, mango, grapefruit, piney, spicy, pineapple.
Beta: 5.4%
Cohumulone: N/A
Characteristics: Fresh citrus, tangerine, mango, grapefruit, piney, spicy, pineapple.
Belma (US)
AA Range: 12%
Characteristics: Clean fruity hoppiness; strawberry, melon, mild citrus. Click through for my experience with Belma in a single hop IPA.
Substitutes: Pacific Gem
Bramling Cross (UK)
AA Range: 7 - 10%
Characteristics: Strong and spicy English hop. Fruity blackcurrant and lemon citrus.
Substitutes: East Kent Goldings, Progress, Brewer's Gold
Bravo (US)
AA Range: 14 - 17%
Characteristics: Smooth, mild flavor; fruity, floral. Clean bittering.
Substitutes: Warrior
Brewer's Gold (UK)
AA Range: 5 - 8%
Characteristics: Early bittering hop. Resiny, spicy. Black currant aroma.
Substitutes: Bullion, Galena, Bramling Cross
Bullion (US)
AA Range: 7 - 9%
Characteristics: Early, traditional bittering hop for stouts. Resiny, earthy; pungent black currant or raspberry aroma.
Substitutes: Brewer's Gold, Galena
Calypso (US)
AA Range: 12-14%
Characteristics: Lemony aroma, tart apple, earthy tea.
Substitutes: n/a
Cascade (US)
AA Range: 7.7 - 9.1%
Beta: 6.4 - 7.1%
Cohumulone: 33 - 40%
Characteristics: Ubiquitous American hop; citrusy grapefruit character.
Substitutes: Centennial
Cashmere (US)
AA Range: 4.5 - 7.0%
Beta: 4.8 - 7%
Cohumulone: 22 - 24%
Characteristics: Mild herbal aroma with strong melon, lemon, lime and slightly spicy notes. Daughter of Cascade.
Substitutes: N/A
Centennial (US)
AA Range: 9 - 12%
Beta: 3.5 - 4.5%
Cohumulone: 28 - 30%
Characteristics: Balanced fruity citrus / stone-fruit character. Smooth bitterness.
Substitutes: Cascade, Citra
Challenger (UK)
AA Range: 6 - 9 %
Characteristics: Clean bittering hop with strong, spicy aroma.
Substitutes: Perle, Target, Phoenix, EKG
Chinook (US)
AA Range: 11 - 14%
Beta: 3 - 4%
Cohumulone: 29 - 34%
Characteristics: Spicy, piney flavor with some grapefruit.
Substitutes: Nugget, Columbus, Northern Brewer
Citra (US)
AA Range: 10 - 12%
Beta: 3.5 - 4.5%
Cohumulone: 22 - 24%
Characteristics: Potent aroma of intense mango, tropical fruit and citrus. Flavor is a bit smoother, less specific but still intense. Extremely effective as a dry hop and late addition hop. I've heard complaints about Citra as a bittering hop
Substitutes: Galaxy, Centennial, Nelson Sauvin
Cluster (US)
AA Range: 5.5 - 8.5%
Characteristics: Pungent bittering hop; spicy, floral aroma. One of the original American hops.
Substitutes: Galena, Northern Brewer
Columbus / Tomahawk / Zeus (CTZ) (US)
AA Range: 14 - 16%
Beta: 4.5 - 5.5%
Cohumulone: 30 - 35%
Characteristics: Dank, earthy, resin.
Substitutes: Chinook, Nugget
Comet (US)
AA Range: 9 - 11%
Characteristics: Intense wild American grapefruit / citrus character; extremely dank.
Substitutes: Summit
Crystal (US)
AA Range: 2 - 5%
Characteristics: American grown Hallertau hybrid. Flowery, spicy aroma. Sister hop to Mount Hood and Liberty.
Substitutes: Mt. Hood, Hersbrucker, Liberty, Hallertau
Dana (Slovenia)
AA Range: 11 - 16%
Beta: 4.8 - 6%
Cohumulone: 28 - 31%
Characteristics: A psuedo-Noble hop with a rustic, musty spiciness and mild bitterness.
Substitutes: N/A
Delta (US)
AA Range: 5.5 - 7%
Beta: 5.5 - 7%
Cohumulone: 22 - 24%
Characteristics: Slightly spicy with a hint of citrus. (Delta is a cross between Fuggles and Cascade). Described as subtle and mild.
Substitutes: N/A
East Kent Goldings (UK)
AA Range: 4.5 - 6.5%
Beta: 1.9 - 2.8%
Cohumulone: 28 - 32%
Characteristics: A popular, traditional English hop with gentle fragrant aroma. Smooth, spicy and floral. Has defined English ales for centuries.
Substitutes: Fuggle, First Gold, Williamette
El Dorado (US)
AA Range: 14 - 16%
Characteristics: An intense, candy-like aroma of cherry, pear and fruit. Can taste like cherry Jolly Ranchers in extra-hoppy beers.
Substitutes: Sounds pretty unique, sorry folks
Equinox (US)
AA Range: 14.4 - 15.6%
Beta: 4.6 - 5.1%
Cohumulone: 31.7 - 38%
Characteristics: Lemon, lime, papaya, apple, green pepper, floral, herbal.
Substitutes: N/A
Falconers Flight (US)
AA Range: 10.5%
Characteristics: Tropical, citrus, floral, lemon and grapefruit.
Substitutes: Cascade, Ahtanum, Sorachi Ace
Falconers Seven Seas (US)
AA Range: 9 - 10%
Characteristics: Fruity, citrus, spicy, earthy. A cross-breed of 7 "C" variety hops. (Get it?)
Substitutes: Simcoe
First Gold (UK)
AA Range: 6 - 9%
Characteristics: A child hybrid of Goldings, similar in aroma; spicy. Woody, minty flavor and aroma.
Substitutes: Eat Kent Goldings, Fuggle, Crystal
Fuggle (UK)
AA Range: 4 - 6%
Characteristics: Woody, earthy. Mildly spicy.
Substitutes: Williamette, Styrian Goldings
Galaxy (AUS)
AA Range: 13 - 15%
Beta: 5.8 - 6%
Cohumulone: 35%
Characteristics: Tropical passionfruit, citrus hints of peach, mango. Similar to Citra but more fruity, less dank. For notes on my Galaxy single hop IPA, click here.
Substitutes: Citra, Amarillo, Centennial
Galena (UK)
AA Range: 11 - 14%
Characteristics: Fruity black currant; citrus.
Substitutes: Legacy, Brewer's Gold, Nugget
Glacier (US)
AA Range: 5 - 6%
Characteristics: Earthy/floral character with a sweet citrus.
Substitutes: Williamette, Styrian Goldings
Green Bullet (NZ)
AA Range: 10 - 14%
Characteristics: Fruity, resiny; described as having a distinct raisin-like character.
Substitutes: Possibly Galena
Hallertau (GER)
AA Range: 3.5 - 5.5%
Beta: 3 - 4%
Cohumulone: 17 - 24%
Characteristics: Versatile, classic hop with mild spicy, flowery, earthy aroma. "Noble" hop common to German lagers. See also: Hallertau Mittelfrüh
Substitutes: Hersbruck, Mt. Hood, Liberty, Helga
Hallertau Aroma (Wakatu) (NZ)
AA Range: 7 - 9%
Beta: 5.8 - 8.5%
Cohumulone: 28 - 35%
Characteristics: Less spicy than Mittelfrüh, with a floral and citrus / lime character. Also known as Wakatu.
Substitutes: N/A
Hallertau Blanc (GER)
AA Range: 9 - 12%
Characteristics: Flowery-fruity aroma, passion fruit, grapefruit, gooseberry and pineapple.
Substitutes: Sounds like it could be the German response to Galaxy / Nelson Sauvin?
Hallertau Mittelfrüh (GER)
AA Range: 3.5%
Beta: 3.5 - 4.5%
Cohumulone: 20 - 26%
Characteristics: Versatile, classic hop with mild spicy, flowery, earthy aroma. "Noble" hop common to German lagers. Most likely a regional subset of Hallertau hops.
Substitutes: Hersbruck, Mt. Hood, Liberty, Helga
Helga (AUS)
AA Range: 5 - 6.3%
Beta: 4.6%
Characteristics: Noble-ish aroma, flowery, mild. (I like that the few sites I've found with this hop describe it as "good for Ales and lagers." Gee, thanks.)
Substitutes: Hallertau Mittelfrueh, Hersbrucker
AA Range: 5 - 6.3%
Beta: 4.6%
Characteristics: Noble-ish aroma, flowery, mild. (I like that the few sites I've found with this hop describe it as "good for Ales and lagers." Gee, thanks.)
Substitutes: Hallertau Mittelfrueh, Hersbrucker
Herald (UK)
Mosaic (US)
AA Range: 10 - 12%
Beta: 3.2 - 3.9%
Cohumulone: 24 - 26%
Characteristics: Mango, stone fruit, berry medley, melon. Mild herbal character reported in some instances. Click through for notes on my Mosaic single hop IPA.
Substitutes: Possibly a blend of Galaxy and Nelson Sauvin
Motueka (NZ)
AA Range: 6.5 -7.5%
Characteristics: Lemony, tropical fruit, spice.
Substitutes: Saaz
Mount Hood (US)
AA Range: 5 - 8%
Characteristics: Mild and clean aroma and flavor.
Substitutes: Hallertauer, Tettnanger
Mount Rainier (US)
AA Range: 5 - 8%
Characteristics: Hallertauer with higher AA; aroma of citrus and licorice.
Substitutes: Hallertauer, Fuggles
Nelson Sauvin (NZ)
AA Range: 11 - 13%
Beta: 6 - 8%
Cohumulone: 22 - 26%
Characteristics: White wine, grapefruit, tangy berries. Dank and intensely fruity. Click through for notes on my Nelson single hop pale ale.
Substitutes: Extremely unique, no subs.
Newport (US)
AA Range: 12 - 15%
Characteristics: Mild aroma; good bittering.
Substitutes: Magnum
Northdown (UK)
AA Range: 6 - 10%
Characteristics: Clean bitterness and a distinct woody, minty flavor.
Substitutes: Northern Brewer
Northern Brewer (UK)
AA Range: 8 - 10%
Characteristics: Good bitterness and neutral, mild flavor.
Substitutes: Northdown, Perle, Aurora
Nugget (US)
AA Range: 10 - 14%
Characteristics: Somewhat heavy, herbal bitterness and aroma.
Substitutes: Galena, Columbus
Opal (GER)
AA Range: 8 - 10%
Characteristics: Moderate bitterness, spicy, fruity, floral.
Substitutes: Saphir, East Kent Goldings
Pacific Gem (NZ)
AA Range: 13 - 16%
Characteristics: Clean bitterness; soft flavor with notes of strawberry, blackberry, berry medley. Tangy citrus, melon, tangerine. Click through for notes on my Pacific Gem single hop pale ale.
Substitutes: Belma
Pacifica (NZ)
AA Range: 5 -6%
Characteristics: Orange marmalade flavor, with some citrus and floral character as well.
Substitutes: Possibly a combination of Mittlefruh and Amarillo.
Pacific Jade (NZ)
AA Range: 12 - 14%
Characteristics: Soft bitterness. Bold aroma of citrus and crushed black pepper.
Substitutes: Magnum
Palisade (US)
AA Range: 5.5 - 9.5%
Characteristics: Fruity but non-citrusy aroma; earthy undertones.
Substitutes: Willamette
Perle (GER)
AA Range: 6 - 8%
Characteristics: Spicy, minty aroma of moderate intensity and balanced bittering.
Substitutes: Northern Brewer, Northdown
Phoenix (UK)
AA Range: 7 - 11%
Characteristics: Spicy "English Ale" aroma with clean bittering.
Substitutes: Challenger, Northern Brewer
Pilgrim (UK)
AA Range: 9 - 13%
Characteristics: Spicy earthy character.
Substitutes: Target
Pioneer (UK)
AA Range: 8 - 10%
Characteristics: Citrus (less aggressive than American hops; more "English")
Substitutes: EKG
Polaris (GER)
AA Range: 19 - 23%
Characteristics: Minty.
Substitutes: N/A
Premiant (Czech Republic)
AA Range: 7 - 10%
Characteristics: Mild, pleasant aroma.
Substitutes: Styrian Goldings, perhaps Saaz and Aurora
Pride of Ringwood (AUS)
AA Range: 9 - 10.5%
Beta: 5.5 - 6%
Cohumulone: 32%
Characteristics: Unique, intense aroma describe as "coarse," citrusy, herbal. Ubiquitous Australian hop.
Substitutes: Cluster, Galena
Progress (UK)
AA Range: 5 - 7%
Characteristics: Mildly spicy or woody, hint of juniper, similar to Fuggle but slightly sweeter.
Substitutes: Fuggle
Rakau (NZ)
AA Range: 9 - 11%
Beta: 4.6%
Cohumulone: 25%
Characteristics: Grassy and spicy upfront, with some peach and tangerine in the finish. Click through for notes on my Rakau single hop pale ale.
Substitutes: N/A
Riwaka (NZ)
AA Range: 5 - 7%
Characteristics: Strong grapefruit citrus character.
Substitutes: Cascade
Saaz (Czech Republic)
AA Range: 3 - 5%
Characteristics: Soft aroma and bitterness, maybe the quintessential "spicy" hop. Noble hop traditionally used for pilsners.
Substitutes: Sterling, Spalt
San Juan Ruby Red (US)
AA Range: 7%
Characteristics: Wild growing hop discovered in CO. Fruity, slightly sweet.
Substitutes: n/a
Santiam (US)
AA Range: 5 - 7%
Characteristics: Similar to Tettnanger. Herbal, floral.
Substitutes: Tettnanger
Saphir (GER)
AA Range: 3 - 5.5%
Characteristics: Sweet, clean, spicy; citrusy with an almost tangerine aroma.
Substitutes: Hallertau
Satus (US)
AA Range: 12.5 - 14.0%
Characteristics: Similar to Galena.
Substitutes: Galena
Select (GER)
AA Range: 4 - 6%
Characteristics: Bred to be similar to Spalt, Tettnang, Saaz.
Substitutes: Spalt, Tettnang, Saaz
Serebrianka (Russia)
AA Range: 3.5%
Characteristics: Light perfume aroma.
Simcoe (US)
AA Range: 11 - 14%
Beta: 4 - 5%
Cohumulone: 15 - 20%
Characteristics: Pine and citrus, sweet berries and perfume. Unique, complex flavor with very smooth bittering. Click for notes on my Simcoe single hop pale ale.
Substitutes: A combination of Columbus and Centennial might come close.
Smaragd (GER)
AA Range: 4 - 6%
Characteristics: A new European response to Amarillo. Fruity nose, flowery; more prominent aroma than most European varieties; balanced subdued fruitiness.
Substitutes: Try a combo of German and American hops
Sonnet Golding (US)
AA Range: 6.6%
Characteristics: Similar characteristics to Golding hops.
Sorachi Ace (Japan)
AA Range: 12 - 16%
Characteristics: Lemony, Lemongrass, lemon-cream flavor.
Substitutes: Southern Cross
Southern Cross (NZ)
AA Range: 11 - 14%
Characteristics: Lemon, lime, pine.
Substitutes: Sorachi Ace
Sovereign (UK)
AA Range: 4 - 7%
Characteristics: Earthy, nutty, pine.
Substitutes: Fuggle
Spalt (GER)
AA Range: 3.5 - 5%
Characteristics: Spicy, Noble hop aroma.
Substitutes: Saaz, Tettnang
Stella (AUS)
AA Range: 14 - 16%
Beta: 4 - 4.5%
Cohumulone: 36%
Characteristics: Spicy, earthy, hints of star anise. Floral.
Substitutes: Mix of English and Noble varieties
Sterling (US)
AA Range: 5 - 9%
Characteristics: Floral, spicy, slight citrus aroma.
Substitutes: Saaz
Sticklebract (NZ)
AA Range: 11 - 14%
Characteristics: Piney, citrus. Harsher bittering.
Strisselspalt (France)
AA Range: 3 - 5%
Characteristics: Mild Noble-like flavor, spicy, herbal.
Substitutes: Hersbrucker, Hallertau
Styrian Goldings (Slovenia)
AA Range: 4.5 - 6%
Characteristics: Mild, spicy aroma.
Substitutes: Aurora, Fuggle, Williamette
Summer (AUS)
AA Range: 4 - 7%
Beta: 4.8 - 6.1%
Cohumulone: 23 - 25%
Characteristics: Apricot, orange marmalade, melon notes; undercurrent of mild earth, spice. Click through for notes on my Summer hopped pale ale.
Substitutes: Possibly Rakau, Amarillo
Summit (US)
AA Range: 17 - 19%
Characteristics: Smooth bittering with orange, tangerine, citrus character.
Substitutes: Apollo
Super Pride (AUS)
AA Range: 9 - 10.5%
Beta: 5.5 - 6%
Cohumulone: 32%
Characteristics: Unique, intense aroma describe as "coarse," citrusy, herbal. Ubiquitous Australian hop.
Substitutes: Cluster, Galena
Sun (US)
AA Range: 12 - 16%
Super Alpha (NZ)
AA Range: 10 - 12%
Characteristics: Piney, grassy, lemongrass.
Substitutes: N/A
Tahoma (US)
AA Range: 7.2 - 8.2%
Beta: 8.5 - 9.5%
Cohumulone: 15 - 17%
Characteristics: Citrus and lemon notes; cedar, pine, floral, subtle melon.
Substitutes: N/A
Target (UK)
AA Range: 8 - 13%
Characteristics: Herbal, earthy, grassy.
Substitutes: Admiral
(Hallertau) Taurus (GER)
AA Range: 12 - 17%
Characteristics: Noble, aromatic, zesty.
Substitutes: Horizon, Herkules, Magnum
Tettnang (GER)
AA Range: 3.5 - 5%
Characteristics: Herbal, slightly spicy, woody.
Substitutes: Saaz, Spalt, Ultra
Topaz (AUS)
AA Range: 15.5 - 18%
Beta: 6 - 7%
Cohumulone: 47 - 50%
Characteristics: Lychee fruit, tangerine, spice and resin. Touch of citrus.
Substitutes: Possibly Rakau, Stella
Tradition (GER)
AA Range: 5 - 7%
Characteristics: Sweetly flowery, earthy. Bred to be stronger version of Hallertau.
Substitutes: Hallertau, Liberty
Triplepearl (US)
AA Range: 10.2 - 11.2%
Beta: 3.3 - 4.2%
Cohumulone: 21 - 25%
Characteristics: Notes of melon, orange citrus, resin, spice and pepper.
Substitutes: Pearl
Ultra (US)
AA Range: 4.5 - 5%
Characteristics: Spicy, floral, mild. Noble hop replacement.
Substitutes: Saaz, Spalt, Tettnang
Vanguard (US)
AA Range: 5 - 6%
Characteristics: Slightly flowery, herbal, and mild. Similar to Hallertau.
Substitutes: Hallertau, Spalt, Tettnang
Waimea (NZ)
Wakatu (NZ)
AA Range: 7 - 9%
Beta: 5.8% - 8.5%
Cohumulone: 28 - 35%
Characteristics: Mildly spicy, with a floral and citrus / lime character. Also known as Hallertau Aroma.
Substitutes: N/A
Warrior (US)
AA Range: 15 - 17%
Characteristics: Clean, mellow flavor; mild citrus lemon character.
Substitutes: Bravo, possibly Apollo or Magnum
Willamette (US)
AA Range: 4 - 6%
Beta: 3.5 - 4.5%
Cohumulone: 30 - 35%
Characteristics: Herbal, woody, earthy.
Substitutes: Fuggle, Tettnang
Yakima Gold (US)
AA Range: 8.8 - 10.5%
Beta: 4.3 - 5.0%
Cohumulone: 21 - 23%
Characteristics: Cross between early American Cluster and a native Slovenian male with mild and pleasant character.
Substitutes: Pearl
Zeus
See: Columbus/Tomahawk.
Zythos (US)
AA Range: 10 - 12%
Characteristics: Strongly aromatic, with tangerine, lemon, grapefruit, and pine notes.
Substitutes: Cascade, Ahtanum, Sorachi Ace
To compile these results, I basically Googled each hop and tried to cross-reference at least four or five different resources. (However, many newer hops only had one or two sites describing them, so I did the best I could.) Sites referenced include Northern Brewer, Rebel Brewer, Brew Dudes, Beer Advocate, Wikipedia, beerlegends.com, usahops.org and the HomeBrewTalk Wiki — all fantastic sites and resources. I also tried to avoid hops that are not commercially available (discontinued) and therefore of little use to homebrewers.
AA Range: 9 - 13%
Characteristics: A sister of Pioneer; strong bitterness with citrus and grapefruit.
Substitutes: Pioneer
Herkules (GER)
AA Range: 12 - 17%
Characteristics: Slightly fruity, spicy aroma.
Substitutes: Horizon, Magnum, (Hallertau) Taurus
(Hallertau) Hersbrucker (GER)
AA Range: 2 - 5%
Beta: 4 - 6%
Cohumulone: 19 - 25%
Characteristics: Moderate-intensity floral character, spice and fruit.
Substitutes: Hallertau, Helga
Horizon (US)
AA Range: 10 - 16%
Characteristics: Citrus and floral, fragrant aroma. Possibly some spice / resin. Clean bittering.
Substitutes: Magnum, Amarillo
Hüll Melon (GER)
AA Range: 6.9 - 7.5%
Characteristics: Strawberry and honeydew, melon nuances.
Substitutes: N/A
Kohatu (NZ)
AA Range: 6 - 7%
Beta: 5.8 - 3.5%
Cohumulone: 21%
Characteristics: Intense floral characters, grapefruit, pine needles, tropical fruit.
Substitutes: N/A
Legacy (US)
AA Range: ~7 - 8%
Characteristics: Floral, blackcurrant, spicy.
Substitutes: Cluster, Galena
Liberty (US)
AA Range: 3 - 6%
Characteristics: Mild, slightly spicy, resiny. Sometimes considered a noble hop.
Substitutes: Hallertau
Lublin (Poland)
AA Range: 7 - 10%
Characteristics: Earthy, rooty, liquorice.
Substitutes: Perle, Chinook
Magnum (GER)
AA Range: 11 - 15%
Characteristics: Very clean bittering with mild, faint aroma.
Substitutes: Horizon
Mandarina Bavaria (GER)
AA Range: 7 - 10%
Characteristics: Intense mandarin, citrus notes.
Substitutes: N/A
Meridian (US)
AA Range: 6 - 7%
Characteristics: Not much info on this one yet; I've read that Meridian offers citrus, lemon, with some tropical fruit and floral characteristics.
Substitutes: Citra, Amarillo, Sorachi Ace.. ?
Merkur (GER)
AA Range: 12 - 15%
Characteristics: Similar to Magnum for bittering, but with an earthy, floral aroma.
Substitutes: Magnum, Horizon
Millennium (US)
AA Range: 13 - 16%
Beta: 4.8%
Characteristics: A sister of Pioneer; strong bitterness with citrus and grapefruit.
Substitutes: Pioneer
Herkules (GER)
AA Range: 12 - 17%
Characteristics: Slightly fruity, spicy aroma.
Substitutes: Horizon, Magnum, (Hallertau) Taurus
(Hallertau) Hersbrucker (GER)
AA Range: 2 - 5%
Beta: 4 - 6%
Cohumulone: 19 - 25%
Characteristics: Moderate-intensity floral character, spice and fruit.
Substitutes: Hallertau, Helga
Horizon (US)
AA Range: 10 - 16%
Characteristics: Citrus and floral, fragrant aroma. Possibly some spice / resin. Clean bittering.
Substitutes: Magnum, Amarillo
Hüll Melon (GER)
AA Range: 6.9 - 7.5%
Characteristics: Strawberry and honeydew, melon nuances.
Substitutes: N/A
Kohatu (NZ)
AA Range: 6 - 7%
Beta: 5.8 - 3.5%
Cohumulone: 21%
Characteristics: Intense floral characters, grapefruit, pine needles, tropical fruit.
Substitutes: N/A
Legacy (US)
AA Range: ~7 - 8%
Characteristics: Floral, blackcurrant, spicy.
Substitutes: Cluster, Galena
Liberty (US)
AA Range: 3 - 6%
Characteristics: Mild, slightly spicy, resiny. Sometimes considered a noble hop.
Substitutes: Hallertau
Lublin (Poland)
A Polish-bred
descendant of Czech Saaz.
Marynka (Poland)
Characteristics: Earthy, rooty, liquorice.
Substitutes: Perle, Chinook
Magnum (GER)
AA Range: 11 - 15%
Characteristics: Very clean bittering with mild, faint aroma.
Substitutes: Horizon
Mandarina Bavaria (GER)
AA Range: 7 - 10%
Characteristics: Intense mandarin, citrus notes.
Substitutes: N/A
Meridian (US)
AA Range: 6 - 7%
Characteristics: Not much info on this one yet; I've read that Meridian offers citrus, lemon, with some tropical fruit and floral characteristics.
Substitutes: Citra, Amarillo, Sorachi Ace.. ?
Merkur (GER)
AA Range: 12 - 15%
Characteristics: Similar to Magnum for bittering, but with an earthy, floral aroma.
Substitutes: Magnum, Horizon
Millennium (US)
AA Range: 13 - 16%
Beta: 4.8%
Cohumulone: 30%
Characteristics: Clean bittering, with herbal aroma.
Characteristics: Clean bittering, with herbal aroma.
Substitutes: Nugget
Mosaic (US)
AA Range: 10 - 12%
Beta: 3.2 - 3.9%
Cohumulone: 24 - 26%
Characteristics: Mango, stone fruit, berry medley, melon. Mild herbal character reported in some instances. Click through for notes on my Mosaic single hop IPA.
Substitutes: Possibly a blend of Galaxy and Nelson Sauvin
Motueka (NZ)
AA Range: 6.5 -7.5%
Characteristics: Lemony, tropical fruit, spice.
Substitutes: Saaz
Mount Hood (US)
AA Range: 5 - 8%
Characteristics: Mild and clean aroma and flavor.
Substitutes: Hallertauer, Tettnanger
Mount Rainier (US)
AA Range: 5 - 8%
Characteristics: Hallertauer with higher AA; aroma of citrus and licorice.
Substitutes: Hallertauer, Fuggles
Nelson Sauvin (NZ)
AA Range: 11 - 13%
Beta: 6 - 8%
Cohumulone: 22 - 26%
Characteristics: White wine, grapefruit, tangy berries. Dank and intensely fruity. Click through for notes on my Nelson single hop pale ale.
Substitutes: Extremely unique, no subs.
Newport (US)
AA Range: 12 - 15%
Characteristics: Mild aroma; good bittering.
Substitutes: Magnum
Northdown (UK)
AA Range: 6 - 10%
Characteristics: Clean bitterness and a distinct woody, minty flavor.
Substitutes: Northern Brewer
Northern Brewer (UK)
AA Range: 8 - 10%
Characteristics: Good bitterness and neutral, mild flavor.
Substitutes: Northdown, Perle, Aurora
Nugget (US)
AA Range: 10 - 14%
Characteristics: Somewhat heavy, herbal bitterness and aroma.
Substitutes: Galena, Columbus
Opal (GER)
AA Range: 8 - 10%
Characteristics: Moderate bitterness, spicy, fruity, floral.
Substitutes: Saphir, East Kent Goldings
Pacific Gem (NZ)
AA Range: 13 - 16%
Characteristics: Clean bitterness; soft flavor with notes of strawberry, blackberry, berry medley. Tangy citrus, melon, tangerine. Click through for notes on my Pacific Gem single hop pale ale.
Substitutes: Belma
Pacifica (NZ)
AA Range: 5 -6%
Characteristics: Orange marmalade flavor, with some citrus and floral character as well.
Substitutes: Possibly a combination of Mittlefruh and Amarillo.
Pacific Jade (NZ)
AA Range: 12 - 14%
Characteristics: Soft bitterness. Bold aroma of citrus and crushed black pepper.
Substitutes: Magnum
Palisade (US)
AA Range: 5.5 - 9.5%
Characteristics: Fruity but non-citrusy aroma; earthy undertones.
Substitutes: Willamette
Perle (GER)
AA Range: 6 - 8%
Characteristics: Spicy, minty aroma of moderate intensity and balanced bittering.
Substitutes: Northern Brewer, Northdown
Phoenix (UK)
AA Range: 7 - 11%
Characteristics: Spicy "English Ale" aroma with clean bittering.
Substitutes: Challenger, Northern Brewer
Pilgrim (UK)
AA Range: 9 - 13%
Characteristics: Spicy earthy character.
Substitutes: Target
Pioneer (UK)
AA Range: 8 - 10%
Characteristics: Citrus (less aggressive than American hops; more "English")
Substitutes: EKG
Polaris (GER)
AA Range: 19 - 23%
Characteristics: Minty.
Substitutes: N/A
Premiant (Czech Republic)
AA Range: 7 - 10%
Characteristics: Mild, pleasant aroma.
Substitutes: Styrian Goldings, perhaps Saaz and Aurora
Pride of Ringwood (AUS)
AA Range: 9 - 10.5%
Beta: 5.5 - 6%
Cohumulone: 32%
Characteristics: Unique, intense aroma describe as "coarse," citrusy, herbal. Ubiquitous Australian hop.
Substitutes: Cluster, Galena
Progress (UK)
AA Range: 5 - 7%
Characteristics: Mildly spicy or woody, hint of juniper, similar to Fuggle but slightly sweeter.
Substitutes: Fuggle
Rakau (NZ)
AA Range: 9 - 11%
Beta: 4.6%
Cohumulone: 25%
Characteristics: Grassy and spicy upfront, with some peach and tangerine in the finish. Click through for notes on my Rakau single hop pale ale.
Substitutes: N/A
Riwaka (NZ)
AA Range: 5 - 7%
Characteristics: Strong grapefruit citrus character.
Substitutes: Cascade
Saaz (Czech Republic)
AA Range: 3 - 5%
Characteristics: Soft aroma and bitterness, maybe the quintessential "spicy" hop. Noble hop traditionally used for pilsners.
Substitutes: Sterling, Spalt
San Juan Ruby Red (US)
AA Range: 7%
Characteristics: Wild growing hop discovered in CO. Fruity, slightly sweet.
Substitutes: n/a
Santiam (US)
AA Range: 5 - 7%
Characteristics: Similar to Tettnanger. Herbal, floral.
Substitutes: Tettnanger
Saphir (GER)
AA Range: 3 - 5.5%
Characteristics: Sweet, clean, spicy; citrusy with an almost tangerine aroma.
Substitutes: Hallertau
Satus (US)
AA Range: 12.5 - 14.0%
Characteristics: Similar to Galena.
Substitutes: Galena
Select (GER)
AA Range: 4 - 6%
Characteristics: Bred to be similar to Spalt, Tettnang, Saaz.
Substitutes: Spalt, Tettnang, Saaz
Serebrianka (Russia)
AA Range: 3.5%
Characteristics: Light perfume aroma.
Simcoe (US)
AA Range: 11 - 14%
Beta: 4 - 5%
Cohumulone: 15 - 20%
Characteristics: Pine and citrus, sweet berries and perfume. Unique, complex flavor with very smooth bittering. Click for notes on my Simcoe single hop pale ale.
Substitutes: A combination of Columbus and Centennial might come close.
Smaragd (GER)
AA Range: 4 - 6%
Characteristics: A new European response to Amarillo. Fruity nose, flowery; more prominent aroma than most European varieties; balanced subdued fruitiness.
Substitutes: Try a combo of German and American hops
Sonnet Golding (US)
AA Range: 6.6%
Characteristics: Similar characteristics to Golding hops.
Sorachi Ace (Japan)
AA Range: 12 - 16%
Characteristics: Lemony, Lemongrass, lemon-cream flavor.
Substitutes: Southern Cross
Southern Cross (NZ)
AA Range: 11 - 14%
Characteristics: Lemon, lime, pine.
Substitutes: Sorachi Ace
Sovereign (UK)
AA Range: 4 - 7%
Characteristics: Earthy, nutty, pine.
Substitutes: Fuggle
Spalt (GER)
AA Range: 3.5 - 5%
Characteristics: Spicy, Noble hop aroma.
Substitutes: Saaz, Tettnang
Stella (AUS)
AA Range: 14 - 16%
Beta: 4 - 4.5%
Cohumulone: 36%
Characteristics: Spicy, earthy, hints of star anise. Floral.
Substitutes: Mix of English and Noble varieties
Sterling (US)
AA Range: 5 - 9%
Characteristics: Floral, spicy, slight citrus aroma.
Substitutes: Saaz
Sticklebract (NZ)
AA Range: 11 - 14%
Characteristics: Piney, citrus. Harsher bittering.
Strisselspalt (France)
AA Range: 3 - 5%
Characteristics: Mild Noble-like flavor, spicy, herbal.
Substitutes: Hersbrucker, Hallertau
Styrian Goldings (Slovenia)
AA Range: 4.5 - 6%
Characteristics: Mild, spicy aroma.
Substitutes: Aurora, Fuggle, Williamette
Summer (AUS)
AA Range: 4 - 7%
Beta: 4.8 - 6.1%
Cohumulone: 23 - 25%
Characteristics: Apricot, orange marmalade, melon notes; undercurrent of mild earth, spice. Click through for notes on my Summer hopped pale ale.
Substitutes: Possibly Rakau, Amarillo
Summit (US)
AA Range: 17 - 19%
Characteristics: Smooth bittering with orange, tangerine, citrus character.
Substitutes: Apollo
Super Pride (AUS)
AA Range: 9 - 10.5%
Beta: 5.5 - 6%
Cohumulone: 32%
Characteristics: Unique, intense aroma describe as "coarse," citrusy, herbal. Ubiquitous Australian hop.
Substitutes: Cluster, Galena
Sun (US)
AA Range: 12 - 16%
Super Alpha (NZ)
AA Range: 10 - 12%
Characteristics: Piney, grassy, lemongrass.
Substitutes: N/A
Tahoma (US)
AA Range: 7.2 - 8.2%
Beta: 8.5 - 9.5%
Cohumulone: 15 - 17%
Characteristics: Citrus and lemon notes; cedar, pine, floral, subtle melon.
Substitutes: N/A
Target (UK)
AA Range: 8 - 13%
Characteristics: Herbal, earthy, grassy.
Substitutes: Admiral
(Hallertau) Taurus (GER)
AA Range: 12 - 17%
Characteristics: Noble, aromatic, zesty.
Substitutes: Horizon, Herkules, Magnum
Tettnang (GER)
AA Range: 3.5 - 5%
Characteristics: Herbal, slightly spicy, woody.
Substitutes: Saaz, Spalt, Ultra
Topaz (AUS)
AA Range: 15.5 - 18%
Beta: 6 - 7%
Cohumulone: 47 - 50%
Characteristics: Lychee fruit, tangerine, spice and resin. Touch of citrus.
Substitutes: Possibly Rakau, Stella
Tradition (GER)
AA Range: 5 - 7%
Characteristics: Sweetly flowery, earthy. Bred to be stronger version of Hallertau.
Substitutes: Hallertau, Liberty
Triplepearl (US)
AA Range: 10.2 - 11.2%
Beta: 3.3 - 4.2%
Cohumulone: 21 - 25%
Characteristics: Notes of melon, orange citrus, resin, spice and pepper.
Substitutes: Pearl
Ultra (US)
AA Range: 4.5 - 5%
Characteristics: Spicy, floral, mild. Noble hop replacement.
Substitutes: Saaz, Spalt, Tettnang
Vanguard (US)
AA Range: 5 - 6%
Characteristics: Slightly flowery, herbal, and mild. Similar to Hallertau.
Substitutes: Hallertau, Spalt, Tettnang
Waimea (NZ)
AA Range: 15 - 16%
Characteristics: Pine needles, citrus fruit, grapefruit, tangerine.
Substitutes: N/A
Wakatu (NZ)
AA Range: 7 - 9%
Beta: 5.8% - 8.5%
Cohumulone: 28 - 35%
Characteristics: Mildly spicy, with a floral and citrus / lime character. Also known as Hallertau Aroma.
Substitutes: N/A
Warrior (US)
AA Range: 15 - 17%
Characteristics: Clean, mellow flavor; mild citrus lemon character.
Substitutes: Bravo, possibly Apollo or Magnum
Willamette (US)
AA Range: 4 - 6%
Beta: 3.5 - 4.5%
Cohumulone: 30 - 35%
Characteristics: Herbal, woody, earthy.
Substitutes: Fuggle, Tettnang
Yakima Gold (US)
AA Range: 8.8 - 10.5%
Beta: 4.3 - 5.0%
Cohumulone: 21 - 23%
Characteristics: Cross between early American Cluster and a native Slovenian male with mild and pleasant character.
Substitutes: Pearl
Zeus
See: Columbus/Tomahawk.
Zythos (US)
AA Range: 10 - 12%
Characteristics: Strongly aromatic, with tangerine, lemon, grapefruit, and pine notes.
Substitutes: Cascade, Ahtanum, Sorachi Ace
To compile these results, I basically Googled each hop and tried to cross-reference at least four or five different resources. (However, many newer hops only had one or two sites describing them, so I did the best I could.) Sites referenced include Northern Brewer, Rebel Brewer, Brew Dudes, Beer Advocate, Wikipedia, beerlegends.com, usahops.org and the HomeBrewTalk Wiki — all fantastic sites and resources. I also tried to avoid hops that are not commercially available (discontinued) and therefore of little use to homebrewers.
I think you have the descriptions for Pacifica and Pacific Jade reversed.
ReplyDeleteYou're totally right, whoops. Thanks for pointing that out, fixed now.
ReplyDeleteHere's a couple more I don't see on the list yet. Mosaic(HBC369)-alpha 10-12%,tropical,mango,tangerine,blueberry. Meridian-alpha 6.7%, beta 9.0%, floral,lemony,tropical fruit, fruit punch.
ReplyDeleteHere is a site with a few you dont have plus good pictures of many varieties. http://www.barthhaasgroup.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=25
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips. Where did you find that info on Mosaic? They sound delicious, but I can't find any references to "Mosaic hops" on Google.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteGreat list! Thanks for the resource.
ReplyDeleteStan Hieronymous talks about Mosaic on the BeerSmith Podcast 37. He's got a book on hops coming out in September too.
DeleteNice, thanks for the tip, I'm adding it to the list.
DeleteCaliente. High alpha, allegedly cherry-licorice flavor.
ReplyDeleteDerek, I love this hop cheat sheet. I'm going to a fresh hop beer fest tomorrow in Portland, and two of the beers are single-hopped with Meridian, which you have annotated as "not much info available yet." I hope to try them, and will report my findings.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Indiana Pete Arsenfarger
Thanks! Glad to hear it's helpful. I definitely need to get some more info on Meridian, so I'd love to hear what you think of it. Sounds like an awesome festival.
DeleteYou're welcome! I wish I had made tasting notes yesterday, this is from memory which, after tasting 10 different fresh-hopped beers, is a little hazy. I calibrated my taste buds with a pale single-hopped with Cascade. Then I had a pale, made by Ninkasi, single-hopped with Meridian. And I said "yuck," I didn't like it at all. I didn't detect any citrusy or tropical fruit notes. I just got herbal, maybe almost sage-like. Then I had a farmhouse-style beer single-hopped with Meridian, and it was quite good. However, it tasted the way farmhouse beers taste which is from the yeast strain, I believe, and was not highly-hopped. So at this point my thinking is, Meridian may be OK for some beer styles, but definitely not pales, India pales, where I (my personal taste preference, that is) want citrus and pine-y notes.
DeleteIndiana P.A.
Hah, that is always the problem with festivals isn't it? Thanks for the notes on Meridian. From what I've read from those breweries using it already, it sounds almost like the opposite of what I'd expect. I wonder if the batch got screwed up somehow or if there's some variety between sources.
ReplyDeleteJust came across this whilst searching for a full hop list. Fantastic job, thank you for all your hard work putting this together, much appreciated and very useful.
ReplyDeleteEdinburgh, UK.
Thanks! It's great to hear that it was useful.
DeleteGreat list there. Could maybe add Bobek?
ReplyDeleteGreat List! Glad to see this all in one place. Just a couple quick notes - Zythos and both the Falconer's Flight 'hops' are pellet hops that are actually a blend of a number of different hop varietals together, rather than cross-breeds. The Falconers are named after Glen Hay Falconer, an Oregon brewer that died in a tragic accident back in 2002, and proceeds go to a foundation that bears his name.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yeah I need to update those — I don't think I realized they were literally blended pellets of different varieties back when I added them to the list. An interesting technique, for sure.
DeleteGreat list! Wanted something like this for a loooong time.
ReplyDeleteBrewDog's "IPA is Dead" series has a couple of new ones this year that are not on your list:
Dana - Slovenian - 11-16% AA - another noble descendant
Waimea - New Zealand - 16-19% AA - citrussy; related to Pacific Jade
Hope this helps!
http://www.brewdog.com/blog-article/ipa-is-dead-is-alive
Thanks! I had not heard of either of those so that's a big help. Cheers!
DeleteNice suggestions! I like the post. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNice post! Just 1 thing - Tettnang is a German noble hop - it isn't from the UK
ReplyDeleteWhoops, that was a silly typo! Thanks for catching that.
Delete