This is a list of varieties of hop (Humulus lupulus).
As there are male and female plants, the flowers (cones) of the female plant are fertilized by the pollen of the male flowers with the result that the female flowers form seeds. These seeds are eaten by birds and hence spread over vast distances. Hops, specifically their female plants, have been grown as a commercial crop for the brewing industry for many centuries in many countries. The first documented mention of a hop garden is in the will of Pepyn III. The first breeding of different hop varieties took place at Wye College in Kent, England by E. S. Salmon in 1919 when he bred the varieties "Brewer's Gold" and "Bullion". As of 2012, there are around 80 varieties in commercial use around the world, and considerably more in development/trials.
American
Ahtanum brand YCR 1 cv Ahtanum brand YCR 1 cv is an aroma-type cultivar bred by Yakima Chief Ranches. It is used for its aromatic properties and moderate bittering. It has unique aromas that include citrus (grapefruit), earthy, and floral. The variety is named after the location where Charles Carpenter established the first hop farm in the Yakima Valley in 1869. Typical alpha acids range from 5–7%, and beta acids range from 5–6%. Typical total oils (Mls. per 100 grams dried hops) 0.8–1.2.
Amarillo brand VGXP01 cv
Popular American mid-range alpha acid variety with a unique and distinct aroma discovered growing "wild" (spontaneously) in one of their hop yards and developed by Virgil Gamache Farms in the late 20th century. Also known as VGXP01, and named in honor of Virgil Gamache the patriarch of the family.
Apollo Characterized by its exceptionally high percentage of alpha acids (15.0 – 19.0%), excellent storage stability of alpha acids, low CoH (cohumulone) value for an alpha variety, and resistance to hop powdery mildew strains found in Washington. It was the result of a cross in 2000 at Golden Gate Roza Hop Ranches in Prosser, Washington, and has been asexually reproduced there.
Alpha acids: 15–19% (ASBC spectrophotometric method)
Beta acids: 5.5–8% (ASBC spectrophotometric method)
Alpha/beta ratio: 3.0–3.5
Cohumulone (% of alpha-acids): 24–28%
Colupulone (% of beta-acids): 52%
Total oils (ml/100 g): 1.5–2.5
Humulene (% of total oils): 20–35%
Azacca Azacca has predominantly citrus and tropical fruit notes, consisting of mango, papaya, orange, grapefruit, lemon, piney, spicy, pineapple, grassy, tropical fruit, citrus aromas. Named after the Haitian god of agriculture, Azacca. Alpha: 14–16%; Beta: 4.0–5.5%
Calypso Dual-purpose high alpha hop with aromas of pear, apple and earthy tea.
Cascade
A well-established American aroma hop developed by USDA-ARS's breeding program in 1956 from combining Fuggle and Serebrianka (a Russian variety), but not released for cultivation until 1972. It has a flowery and spicy, citrus-like quality with a slight grapefruit characteristic. One of the "Three Cs" along with Centennial and Columbus. Substitutes: Centennial and Columbus (however, both contain a higher Alpha Acid content).
Centennial American aroma-type variety bred in 1974 and released in September 1990 by S.T. Kenny and C.E. Zimmermann, the breeders of this variety. Similar to Cascade and Chinook. The genetic composition is 3/4 Brewers Gold, 3/32 Fuggle, 1/6 Golding, 1/32 Bavarian and 1/16 Unknown. One of the "Three Cs" along with Cascade and Columbus. Centennial is often referred to as a 'Super Cascade', since it has a strong citrus aroma.
Chinook Released in 1985. It is the cross of USDA 63102M and Petham Golding, with the aforementioned being a cross from Brewer's Gold and a wild male from Utah.
Citra brand HBC 394 cv Citra Brand is a registered trademark used with HBC 394 cv special aroma hop variety developed by the Hop Breeding Company (a joint venture between John I. Haas, Inc. and Select Botanicals Group, LLC). The hop was first crossed in 1990, then assigned the name X-114. Its grandmother is Hallertau Mittelfrüh. Various breweries tested the hop before Sierra Nevada, Deschutes, and Widmer Brothers became interested and financed more acreage. It was released in 2007. Citra Brand hops have fairly high alpha acids and total oil contents with a low percentage of cohumulone content. Citra Brand hops imparts citrus (grapefruit) and tropical fruit characters to beer.
Cluster Originated from mass selection of the Cluster hop, which is an old American cultivar. It is suggested that they arose from hybridization of varieties, imported by Dutch and English settlers and indigenous male hops. There is an early ripening and a late ripening Cluster cultivar. Also known as Golden Cluster. They can give a blackcurrant aroma/flavor. Substitutes: Brewer's Gold.
Columbus A high yielding, high alpha acid American bittering hop. Also known by the trade name Tomahawk. One of the "Three Cs" along with Cascade and Centennial. Like the others it is citrusy and slightly woody. Columbus has a very high amount of total oils, and can impart a 'resiny' quality to a beer. Substitutes for bittering: Nugget, Chinook. Substitutes for aroma and flavor: Cascade, Centennial.
Comet A rare US grown hop, originally bred for its bittering characteristics. Said to have character similar to wild American hops that are "objectionable to some brewers".
Crystal An American triploid variety developed in 1993 from Hallertau, Cascade, Brewer's Gold and Early Green. It is spicier than Hallertau (cinnamon, black pepper, and nutmeg). Substitutes: any Hallertau variety, Mount Hood, Liberty.
El Dorado Developed by CLS Farms and formally released in the fall of 2010. High alpha with tropical fruit flavors.
Ekuanot Developed by the Hop Breeding Company and released in 2014. A high oil content hop known for strong aroma including fruitiness, eucalyptus, clove, and tobacco. Formerly known as Equinox. 14.5 - 15.5% Alpha acids.
Eroica This cultivar with its pale green bine was bred in 1968 with its sister Galena from Brewers Gold with an open pollination. It was released in 1979 in Idaho, one of the three hop cultivation areas on America's West Coast It is strongly "catty" flavored bittering hop with an alpha acid content ranging from 10–13% and used often in wheat beers. Substitutes: Galena, Nugget, Olympic.
Fulcrum Fulcrum is a Midwest grown hop with a light citrus profile. Moderate alpha acids, total oils and lower cohumulone content. potentially a Citra or Centennial crossed with a Fuggle hop to grow more reliably, resulting in a citrus beer with a less intense finish. Breweries like Founders, Bell's, and Three Floyd's are rumored to have used a Midwestern grown version of the Citra hop. Evidence suggests Fulcrum is likely only an urban legend. More likely, it is the Citra or combinations creating the effect.
Galena A cultivar developed in 1968 from Brewer's Gold by open pollination in Idaho. An open pollination means that the male hop is unknown. The alpha acid content is relatively high—11.5 to 13.5%—but its co-humulone content and its beta acid range are also high.
Glacier Low-cohumulone American Fuggle descendant. Substitutes: Eroica, Nugget, Olympic.
Greensburg American Hop grown in southern Idaho.
Horizon American high alpha cross made in Oregon in 1970. Horizon and Nugget share a common parent (#65009).
Liberty American 1983 cross between Hallertauer Mittelfrüh (USDA 21397) and downy mildew resistant male (USDA 64035M). Spicy (cinnamon), resiny, and slightly sweet. It is an early ripening variety and similar in technical data and aroma to Hallertau Mittelfrueh. Recommended for German/American lagers. Alpha acids are relatively low at 2-6%. Substitutes: Mount Hood, Hallertau, Crystal.
Mount Hood Soft American variety developed from Hallertau. Frequently used in styles that require only a subtle hop aroma (German/American lagers). Named for Mount Hood in Oregon. Substitutes: Liberty, Hallertau, Crystal.
Mount Rainier Originally cultivated in Oregon. Mount Rainier has a complex parentage, including Hallertau, Galena, Fuggle and other hops, and exhibits some noble hop characteristics, but is higher in alpha acid. The aroma is reminiscent of licorice with a hint of citrus.
Mosaic brand HBC 369 cv Mosaic™ Brand HBC 369 cv is a daughter of the YCR 14 cv hop variety and a Nugget derived male. It has high alpha acids and tropical, blueberry, tangerine, floral, and earthy aromas.
Newport Recently developed American high-alpha bittering hop.
Nugget Floral, resiny aroma and flavor, primarily used as a bittering hop. It was crossed from the male hop USDA 63015 and female USDA 65009. Substitutes: Galena, Olympic.
Palisade brand YCR 4 cv Palisade brand YCR 4 hop variety is an aroma hop that is known for its amazing yield and unique aroma. It invokes apricot, grass, and floral notes and is used regularly in commercial brewing.
San Juan Ruby Red Discovered growing wild in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Open pollinated hops. Aroma is fruity and slightly sweet. A newly developed American aroma hop that contains noble hop characteristics.
Santiam American floral aroma hop with mid-range alpha acid. Pedigree includes Tettnang (mother), Hallertau Mittelfrüh (grandmother) and Cascade (great grandmother). Named for the Santiam River in Oregon.
Satus A bittering-type cultivar of recent origin, produced by Yakima Chief Ranches in Washington State.
Simcoe brand YCR 14 cv According to the breeder, creator of this hop variety, ″[i]n 2000, Select Botanicals Group released the Simcoe brand YCR 14 hop variety which is an aroma variety known for its versatility and unique characteristics. Simcoe brand hops boasts several different aromas including passion fruit, pine, earthy, and citrus, and also has strong bittering qualities with an alpha acid level of 12–14%. It is used extensively in the craft and home brewing industry.″
Sonnet Golding Low alpha American-grown Golding variety.
Sterling American floral hop released in 1998. A cross between Saaz and Mount Hood in character but easier to grow.
Summit Useful for barleywines, stouts and IPAs. Alpha acids 17–19%, Beta acids 4.0–6.0%. Often provides tangerine flavors and aromas when added late in the boil. Trademarked.
Tomahawk Trade name for Columbus.
Ultra A triploid aroma-type cultivar, originated in 1983 from a cross between the colchicine-induced tetraploid Hallertau mf (USDA 21397) and the diploid Saazer-derived male genotype (USDA 21237m). Ultra is the half-sister to Mount Hood, Liberty and Crystal. Its genetic composition is 4/6 Hallertau mf, 1/6 Saazer, and 1/6 unknown. This cultivar was released for commercial production in March, 1995. It has a peppery, spicy aroma similar to Saaz. Substitutes: Crystal, Saaz, Tettnanger.
Vanguard Vanguard is an American aroma hop variety developed as a cross from Hallertau in 1982. It imparts a sweet, slightly spicy aroma and flavor. Derived from Hallertau Mittlefruh, it retains the characteristic profile of the parent variety. Typical Beer Styles: Lager, Pilsner, Bock, Kolsch, Wheat Beers, Munich Helles, Belgian-Style Ales.
Warrior brand YCR 5 cv Warrior brand YCR 5 cv hop variety is an alpha hop used for its mild, clean bittering qualities. It is widely used in American pale ales and IPAs.
Willamette Popular American development in 1976 of the English Fuggle. Named for the Willamette Valley, an important hop-growing area. It has a character similar to Fuggle, but is more fruity and has some floral notes. Used in British and American ales. A recent taste-test comparison between Ahtanum and Willamette has described some similarity between the varieties.
Zeus American aromatic high-alpha hop. Similar, if not identical, to Columbus/Tomahawk. Columbus/Tomahawk/Zeus hops are sometimes referred to as "CTZ hops."
Zythos