El Dorado® Hops

Dual: Aroma and BitteringAlpha 13.0 - 17.0%United States

El Dorado® stands as an elite, high-impact dual-purpose cultivar that has fundamentally reshaped the flavor landscape of modern American craft beer. Bred and brought to market by the specialized development team at CLS Farms in Moxee, Washington—a microclimate within the greater Yakima Valley region known for its unique, cooler growing conditions—this proprietary variety was first selected in 2008 and officially released in 2010. Boasting a rich genetic lineage that pulls from powerhouse ancestry like Brewers Gold, Bullion, Comet, and Fuggle, El Dorado® combines an incredibly robust agricultural viability with a massive essential oil concentration. Rather than leaning into the heavily resinous, earthy, or piney traits traditional to many high-alpha Pacific Northwest varieties, it was engineered for pure, unadulterated fruit saturation. This high-yielding dual threat has quickly cemented itself as an indispensable foundational pillar for brewers demanding clean, bold bittering efficiency alongside a highly coveted, sweet-fruit aroma profile.

The profile of El Dorado® is a brilliantly vivid, deeply saturated, and profoundly sweet tropical masterpiece that behaves like a tropical fruit punch bowl come to life. Upon opening or pouring, the hop unleashes an immediate, dominant wave of bright candied cherry, classic "Juicy Fruit" confectionery sweetness, and crisp slices of pink watermelon. As the beer moves across the palate, a highly sophisticated mid-palate reveals itself, showing deep, succulent layers of soft pear flesh, sweet honeydew melon, and a fleshy core of yellow sun-ripened peaches. The extensive oil matrix wraps up cleanly on the back end, concluding with just a faint, supporting whisper of fresh field grass that helps balance the intense fruit character. This extraordinarily vibrant, candy-like aromatic profile allows El Dorado® to completely coat the palate, making it a masterclass tool for single-hop showcases or high-density late-kettle and dry-hopping regimes.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find El Dorado, the best alternatives are Citra®, Galena, or Mosaic®.

At A Glance

ProfileBright Candied Cherry, "Juicy Fruit" Bubble Gum, Fresh Pear Flesh, Ripe Watermelon, Stone Fruit, Honeydew Melon, Peach
PurposeDual: Aroma and Bittering
Alpha Acid13.0 - 17.0%
SubstitutesCitra®, Galena, Mosaic®
Pairs withCitra® (to introduce a massive layer of bright mango and zesty lime juice over El Dorado's candy-cherry and pear base), Idaho 7® (to contrast El Dorado's sweet candy profile with a sharp layer of zesty marmalade and resinous pine), Mosaic® (to build a highly complex berry/stone fruit/and light dank tropical punch)
Beer StylesNew England/Hazy India Pale Ale, American Pale Ale, Modern West Coast India Pale Ale, Imperial India Pale Ale, Hoppy Blonde Ale, Fruit Sour, American Wheat Beer

General Information

Country
United States
Storage Stability
Retains 70 - 75% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid
13.0 - 17.0%
Beta Acid
7.0 - 8.0%
Cohumulone
28.0 - 33.0%
Total Oil
1.5 - 2.8 ml/100g
Myrcene
55.0 - 60.0%
Humulene
10.0 - 15.0%
Caryophyllene
5.0 - 7.0%
Farnesene
< 1.0%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield
2,300 - 2,500 lbs/acre
Maturity
Mid to Late Season
Resistant
Displays strong native field resistance to common hop yard pathogens, demonstrating exceptional resilience against Powdery Mildew.
Tolerant
Highly tolerant to standard Downy Mildew variants and well-adapted to the hot, arid summer growing conditions of the Yakima Valley.
Growth Rate
Very High / Exceptionally Vigorous
Cones
Large, dense, oval-shaped cones that are packed with deep golden lupulin glands.
Ease of Harvest
Excellent (The sturdy bine framework and uniform cone clustering allow the plant to strip cleanly and efficiently on modern high-speed stationary mechanical picking lines).
Sex
Female
Leaf Color
Medium Green

El Dorado® Aroma/Flavor Profile

Aroma
Flavor
CitrusTropical FruitStone FruitApple/PearMelonBerryFloralSpicy/HerbalPineResinGrassEarthy/WoodyOnion/GarlicDank/Catty

Discovery Tags

Breeding/Supplier

Last Updated
  • 2026-05-29 20:11:25