Hop Variety Handbook

I have created this page to give the professional craftbrewer, amateur homebrewer, and anyone interested in hops a central location to research the myriad varieties available around the world.

Now listing 108 separate and unique varieties of hops.

If you find this information to be in error, or have an addition to make to this list...please contact the author here.
Commercial hop growers/dealers:  Please feel free to send hop information to the above e-mail address.

Please be patient while I complete this document. Last updated: July 5, 2000

I am currently working on a new format for this handbook which will include almost twice as many hops as currently listed.  It will still contain the quick reference chart below, but each hop will link to a individual and separate page with details.

Click here to see an example of one of these detail pages.

Please let me know what you think about its design, layout and usefulness.

Variety Type

Average Alpha Acid Percent

Origin

Source
(see bottom of table)

Comments
Admiral (RH 40) Bittering 11.5-14.5 England Click here for comments
Ahil (See Super Styrian) Dual 8-10 Slovenia Click here for comments
Ahtanum Aroma 5.7-6.3 US Click here for comments
Amarillo Aroma 6-8 US 1,2 Click here for comments
Apolon (See Super Styrian) Dual 8-10 Slovenia Click here for comments
Aquila Dual 6-8 US Click here for comments
Asia Flower Dual? ??? China 8 Click here for comments
Atlas (See Super Styrian) Dual 8-10 Slovenia Click here for comments
Aurora (See Super Styrian) Dual 8-10 Slovenia Click here for comments
Backa Aroma <3 Yugoslavia Click here for comments
Banner Dual 9-11 US Click here for comments
Bianca/Bianco Aroma 7-8 US 8 Click here for comments
Blato Aroma? ??? Czech Republic 8 Click here for comments
Blsanka Aroma? ??? Czech Republic 8 Click here for comments
Bolton ??? ??? US (Wild) Click here for comments
Bor Dual 7-9 Czech Republic Click here for comments
Bramling Cross Dual 5-7 England Click here for comments
Brewer's Gold Dual 5.5-8.5 Germany, China 6

Details

Bullion Bittering 6-9 England Click here for comments
Canadian Red Vine N/A N/A N/A 8 Click here for comments
Cascade Dual 4-7 US Click here for comments
Centennial (CJF 90) Dual 8-11.5 US Click here for comments
Challenger Dual 6.5-8.5 England Click here for comments
Chelan Bittering 13-15 US 8 Click here for comments
Chinook Dual 11-14 US Click here for comments
Clones 8 Click here for comments
Cluster Dual 5.5-8.5 US Click here for comments
Columbia Aroma 5-6 US Click here for comments
Columbus Bittering 14-16 US Click here for comments
Comet N/A N/A N/A 8 Click here for comments
Crystal Aroma 2-4.5 US Click here for comments
Early Zug Aroma ??? Japan 8 Click here for comments
Eastern Green N/A N/A Japan, US 8 Click here for comments
Elsasser Aroma <2 France Click here for comments
Eroica Bittering 9-13 US Click here for comments
First Gold Dual 6.5-8.5 England Click here for comments
Fuggle Dual 3.5-5.5 England, US Click here for comments
Furano Ace N/A N/A Japan, US 8 Click here for comments
Galena Bittering 10-14 US Click here for comments
Golden Star Aroma ??? Japan 8 Click here for comments
Golding Aroma 4-6 US, Canada Click here for comments
Green Bullet Dual 8-14 New Zealand 8 Click here for comments
Green Mountain Aroma ??? US (Wild) Click here for comments
Hallertauer Magnum Bittering 10-12.5 Germany Click here for comments
Hallertauer Mittelfruh Aroma 3.5-5.5 Germany Click here for comments
Hallertauer Tradition Aroma 4-7 Germany Click here for comments
Herald Bittering 11-14 England Click here for comments
Hersbrucker Aroma 2.5-5.5 Germany, US Click here for comments
Horizon Dual ??? US Click here for comments
Huller Bitterer Aroma 4.5-7 Germany Click here for comments
Kent Golding Aroma 4-6.5 Kent, England Click here for comments
Kirin II Aroma ??? Japan 8 Click here for comments
Liberty Aroma 3-5.5 US Click here for comments
Lublin/Lubelski Aroma 3-5 Poland Click here for comments
Lucan Aroma? ??? Czech Republic 8 Click here for comments
Mepuche Dual? 9 Argentina 8 Click here for comments
Mount Hood Aroma 3-8 US Click here for comments
Northdown Dual 7-10 England Click here for comments
Northern Brewer Dual 7-10 US, Germany Click here for comments
Nugget Bittering 9-14 US, Germany Click here for comments
Olympic Dual 11-13 US Click here for comments
Omega Bittering 'High-alpha' England 8 Click here for comments
Orion Dual 6-7.5 Germany Click here for comments
Osvald Aroma? ??? Czech Republic 8 Click here for comments
Pacific Gem Dual 14+ New Zealand Click here for comments
Perle Dual 5-9.5 US, Germany Click here for comments
Phoenix Dual 8.5-11.5 England Click here for comments
Pioneer Dual 8-10 England Click here for comments
Podlesak Aroma? ??? Czech Republic 8 Click here for comments
Pride of Ringwood Dual 7.5-11 New Zealand Click here for comments
Progress Dual 5-7.5 England Click here for comments
Quingdao Da Hua Aroma? ??? China 8 Click here for comments
Saaz Aroma 3.5-5 Czech Republic Click here for comments
Santium Aroma ??? US Click here for comments
Saxon Dual 6-7 England Click here for comments
Shinsu Wase Aroma 4.5-6 Japan 8 Click here for comments
Sladek Dual 9-9.5 Czech Republic Click here for comments
Sorachi Ace N/A N/A Japan, US 8 Click here for comments
Southern Brewer Dual? ??? South Africa 8 Click here for comments
Southern Cross Dual 11-14 New Zealand 8 Click here for comments
Spalter Aroma 3-6 Germany Click here for comments
Spalter Select Aroma 3.5-6 Germany Click here for comments
Sterling Aroma 6 US Click here for comments
Sticklebract Dual 11-12 New Zealand Click here for comments
Strisselspalt Aroma 3-4 France Click here for comments
Styrian Golding Aroma 4.5-6 Slovenia Click here for comments
Sudbury ??? ??? US (Wild) Click here for comments
Sun Bittering 12-16 US 3,4,8 Click here for comments
Sunbeam Aroma 4-5 US 8 Click here for comments
Super Alpha Dual 10-14 New Zealand 8 Click here for comments
Super Styrians Dual 8-10 Slovenia Click here for comments
Symphony Bittering 15 US 8 Click here for comments
Talisman N/A N/A N/A 8 Click here for comments
Target Bittering 9.5-13 England Click here for comments
Taurus Bittering 12-15 Germany Click here for comments
Tettnanger Aroma 3.5-5.5 Germany, US Click here for comments
Tillicum Bittering 10-15 US 8 Click here for comments
Tomahawk Bittering 15-17 US Click here for comments
Toyomidori Bittering ??? Japan 8 Click here for comments
Ultra Aroma 2-3.5 US Click here for comments
Vanguard Aroma 4-5 US Click here for comments
Westford Aroma 6 US (Wild) Click here for comments
WGV
(Whitbread Golding Variety)
Dual 5-7.5 England Click here for comments
Willamette Dual 4-6 US Click here for comments
Yeoman Bittering 11-12 England Click here for comments
Zatec (see Saaz) Click here for comments
Zeus Bittering 13-17 US 3,4,8 Click here for comments
Zlatan Aroma? ??? Czech Republic 8 Click here for comments
x x

A note about Average Alpha Acid Percentage: Maximum and minimum values may be taken from several sources covering multiple growing seasons.  Only use this range as a rough guide.  Always verify actual alpha acid percent before using.

Sources of data about individual varieties.  Please visit these fine establishments for more information about their wonderful hop products and other beer and brewing related items.
1-Brewpub Magazine
2-Leener's Brew Works
3-S.S. Steiner Inc.
4-Alfred Haunold, November/December 1998.
   "Flavor Characteristics of New Hop Varieties," The New Brewer, 59-64
5-J.I. Haas Inc.
6-Hop Union Inc.
7-Yakima Chief
8-Jerrold F. Hilton, "Hops - Into the Millennium"

Comments and Details

Admiral (RH 40)

Ahil (See Super Styrian)
A member of the Super Styrians group.  No furthur information about this specific variety is available.

Ahtanum

Amarillo
A new aroma hop developed by HopUnion, has an average alpha-acid level, 6 to 7 percent, and low cohumulone level, 22 to 23 percent. The aroma has floral characteristics similar to the Cascade. The oil profile is also similar to that of the Cascade.

Another source indicates the alpha goes as high as 8%.

Apolon (See Super Styrian)
A member of the Super Styrians group.  No furthur information about this specific variety is available.

Aquila

Asia Flower
Another principal variety grown in China based on the American Cluster.

Atlas (See Super Styrian)
A member of the Super Styrians group.  No furthur information about this specific variety is available.

Aurora (See Super Styrian)
The main cultivation area of this aroma variety with high alpha content is Slovenia. With regard to variety characteristics Aurora can be placed between Perle and Northern Brewer. It impresses with constant yield and bitter content.  A member of the Super Styrians group.

Backa

Banner

Bianca/Bianco
Grown mostly for ornamental purposes, with notable yellow leaves.

Blato
A sub-variety of Saazer hops grown in the Zatec region of the Czech Republic.

Blsanka
A sub-variety of Saazer hops grown in the Zatec region of the Czech Republic.

Bolton

Bor

Bramling Cross

Brewer's Gold

Bullion

Canadian Red Vine
Replaced by other hops with better brewing and growing characteristics, taken out of production.

Cascade

Centennial (CJF 90)

Challenger

Chelan

Chinook

Clones
No. 31, 72 and 114 are sub-varieties of Saazer hops grown in the Zatec region of the Czech Republic.
No. 18 is also a sub-variety of Saazer grown in the Ukraine, with 3-3.5% alpha.

Cluster

Columbia
Replaced by other hops with better brewing and growing characteristics, taken out of production.

Columbus

Comet
Replaced by other hops with better brewing and growing characteristics, taken out of production.

Crystal

Early Zug
A Japanese aroma variety.

Eastern Green
Oregon State University's station near Corvallis, Ore. has been growing the Japanese hop cultivar Eastern Green for use in germplasm introduction for breeding purposes.

Elsasser

Eroica

First Gold

Fuggle

Furano Ace
Oregon State University's station near Corvallis, Ore. has been growing the Japanese hop cultivar Furano Ace for use in germplasm introduction for breeding purposes.

Galena

Golden Star
A Japanese aroma variety.

Golding

Green Bullet
A late season hop released in 1972, a high alpha triploid hop ranging from 12 to 14%.

Green Mountain

Hallertauer Mittelfruh

Hallertauer Tradition

Hallertauer Magnum

Herald

Hersbrucker

Horizon
Diploid high alpha, low cohumulone variety.  Developed from a cross of Santiam and Nugget, with some Liberty mixed in.

Huller Bitterer

Kent Golding

Kirin II
A Japanese aroma variety.

Liberty

Lublin/Lubelski

Lucan
A sub-variety of Saazer hops grown in the Zatec region of the Czech Republic.

Mepuche
A breeding program has resulted in a new variety, Mepuche, with an alpha of about 9%, grown in Argentina.

Mount Hood

Northern Brewer

Northdown

Nugget

Olympic

Omega
Old English high alpha variety.

Orion

Osvald
A sub-variety of Saazer hops grown in the Zatec region of the Czech Republic.

Pacific Gem
Pacific Gem was released in 1987, a high alpha triploid variety.

Perle

Phoenix

Pioneer

Podlesak
A sub-variety of Saazer hops grown in the Zatec region of the Czech Republic.

Pride of Ringwood

Progress

Quingdao Da Hua
The predominate variety grown in China, which is believed to be derived from Styrian Goldings.

Saaz

Santium

Saxon

Shinsu Wase
Believed to be a cross between Saaz and an American breed, is the principal variety grown in Japan.

Sladek

Sorachi Ace
Oregon State University's station near Corvallis, Ore. has been growing the Japanese hop cultivar Sorachi Ace for use in germplasm introduction for breeding purposes.

Southern Brewer
A hop developed for South African conditions, its parents are Northern Brewer and Fuggle.  Zimbabwe also grows Southern Brewer under illumination.

Southern Cross
Southern Cross is a new early season variety released in 1994. A high alpha triploid variety.

Spalter

Spalter Select

Sterling
New variety just released (1998?).  Characteristics of both Mt. Hood and Saaz.  Very good storagability. The only info available is from a sample obtained from Hopunion.  I'm guessing this is a proprietary variety.

Sticklebract

Strisselspalt

Styrian Golding

Sudbury

Sun
Sun has herbal overtones, closer to Galena.  Primary use will be for extraction, but some brewers are using as early kettle hops. Fortunately proved to be resistant to powdery mildew.

Sunbeam
Grown mostly for ornamental purposes, with notable yellow leaves.

Super Alpha
Super Alpha was released in 1976, a high alpha triploid variety.

Super Styrians
A group of four varieties, Apolon, Atlas, Ahil and Aurora.  The first three are Brewer's Gold decendants, and the last is Northern Brewer.  These hops are not usually sold individually.  None are related to Styrian Goldings.

Symphony
Symphony is a new super high alpha acids variety released from a private company's breeding program in 1996. Its the first triploid high alpha acids variety in the US. Alpha acids content is almost 15% and beta acids content averages at about 4.7%. Total oil content is also high and storage stability is excellent, harvest maturity is medium-late with excellent cone yields averaging 3.000 Kilos per hectare.

Crop was decimated by the 1997 powdery mildew outbreak,  and growers have agreed not to grown this variety again because it seemed to enhance the spread of the disease throughout the valley.

Talisman
Replaced by other hops with better brewing and growing characteristics, taken out of production.

Target

Taurus

Tettnanger

Tillicum
Tillicum is a alpha acid variety with a very high content of beta acids. The variety was developed through a private company's breeding program and released in 1995. Its a daughter of Galena and a full sister to Chelan and therefore has analytical data similar to both varieties.  Tillicum differs from Chelan by its early harvest maturity and is the earliest ripening high alpha acids variety in the US.

Tomahawk

Toyomidori
A Northern Brewer derivative, is the only bittering variety grown in Japan.

Ultra

Vanguard

WGV (Whitbread Golding Variety)

Westford

Willamette

Yeoman

Zatec (see Saaz)
http://www.bohemiahop.cz/

Zeus
Zeus has been noted as pungent, almost flowery.  Primary use will be for extraction, but some brewers are using as early kettle hops. Fortunately proved to be resistant to powdery mildew.

Zlatan
A sub-variety of Saazer hops grown in the Zatec region of the Czech Republic.

 


Disclaimer:  Much of the information contained in this document was taken from other sources.  See sources section above.