El Dorado® Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

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

Profile Bright Candied Cherry, "Juicy Fruit" Bubble Gum, Fresh Pear Flesh, Ripe Watermelon, Stone Fruit, Honeydew Melon, Peach
Purpose Dual: Aroma and Bittering
Alpha Acid 13.0 - 17.0%
Substitutes Citra®, Galena, Mosaic®
Pairs with Citra® (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 Styles New 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

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Bubble Gum Cherry Honeydew Melon Peach Pear Stone Fruit Watermelon
Variety Name
Citra Galena Idaho 7 Mosaic
Beer Style
American Pale Ale American Wheat Beer Fruit Sour Hoppy Blonde Ale Imperial India Pale Ale Modern West Coast India Pale Ale New England/hazy India Pale Ale
Usage
Dual: Aroma And Bittering
Origin
United States
Breeding/Supplier
Cls Farms
Last Updated
  • 2026-05-29 14:11:25
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

  • #Floral (The Delicate Finish)

    A mellow Sunday pour. From jasmine to dried rose petals, floral hops provide a sophisticated aroma without overpowering the palate. Perfect for delicate Belgian styles. Explore #Floral Hops!
Recently added hops
Did you know?
  • 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.