Toyomidori Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Toyomidori is a vintage high-alpha variety from Japan, released in 1990 by the Kirin Brewery Hop Research Farm. Bred in 1981, it was developed as a robust cross between the legendary Northern Brewer and a wild American male (USDA 64103M). Toyomidori was engineered to be the heavy-hitting bittering foundation for Japan’s iconic crisp lagers, providing high-efficiency alpha acids for large-scale production.

While its commercial cultivation in Japan eventually declined due to a high sensitivity to downy mildew, Toyomidori’s DNA lives on in the modern "juice" revolution. It is the direct genetic parent of the tropical powerhouse Azacca™, proving that even a "workhorse" bittering hop can pass on incredible aromatic potential to the next generation. For brewers, it represents a classic era of Japanese hop science that paved the way for the modern craft movement.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Toyomidori, the best alternatives are Azacca™, Chinook, Galena, or Northern Brewer.

At A Glance

Profile Green Tea, Tobacco, Dried Herbs, Resinous
Purpose Bittering
Alpha Acid 11.0 - 13.0%
Substitutes Azacca™, Chinook, Galena, Northern Brewer
Pairs with Azacca™ (to bridge its heritage with modern tropical fruit notes), Northern Brewer (to amplify the woody/spicy character), Saaz (for a traditional crisp lager finish)
Beer Styles Japanese Lager, American Pale Ale

General Information

Country Japan
Aliases Kirin Flower, Feng Lv, USDA 21676
Storage Stability
Retains 63% alpha acid.

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 11.0 - 13.0%
Beta Acid 5.0 - 6.0%
Cohumulone 38.0 - 42.0%
Total Oil 0.6 - 1.5 ml/100g
Myrcene 56.0 - 60.0%
Humulene 9.0 - 12.0%
Caryophyllene 4.0 - 5.0%
Farnesene 0.1 - 0.4%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 940 - 1,100 lbs/acre
Maturity Mid-to-late season
Tolerant Verticillium Wilt
Susceptible Downy mildew (moderate)
Growth Rate High
Cones Large and heavy
Ease of Harvest Good; robust bines and dense cones
Sex Female
Leaf Color Dark green
Side Arm Length 24 - 36 inches

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Dried Herbs Green Tea Resinous Tobacco
Variety Name
Azacca Chinook Galena Northern Brewer Saaz
Beer Style
American Pale Ale Japanese Lager
Usage
Bittering
Origin
Japan
Breeding/Supplier
Kirin Brewery Hop Research Farm
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-03 19:00:01
Source(s)

Hops Catalog

Navigating This Profile
  • The Stats: Use the Purpose and Alpha % to understand the hop's bitterness and aromatic strength.
  • Discovery Tags: Scroll down to find clickable tags for Flavor, Origin, and Usage.
  • The Network: Click any tag (like #Citrus or #New Zealand) to instantly view every other hop in our catalog that shares that trait.
Discovery Tag Spotlight

  • #Noble (Classics)

    Back to the roots. European "Noble" hops are the elegant, low-bitterness varieties that defined Pilsners and Lagers for centuries. Explore the spicy, floral heritage of the Old World. Explore #Noble Hops!
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  • Dwarf variety hops grow shorter in height than traditional varieties but, importantly, produce the same yield. This combination makes harvest easier.
Explanations
  • Storage: is based on the percentage of alpha acids remaining after 6 months at 20*F.
  • Oil composition percetages are based on the total percentage of oil in the hop. Example: 10 - 20% means that for the specific oil it is 10 - 20% of the overall oil make up.