Tahoma Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Tahoma is a versatile American aroma variety released in 2013 through a collaboration between Washington State University and the United States Department of Agriculture. Named after the historic Salish word for Mount Rainier, Tahoma was developed as a direct descendant of the popular Glacier variety. The goal of the breeding program was to create a more resilient, higher-yielding plant that offered a significantly higher alpha acid potential than its parent while retaining the sophisticated "Noble" soul of its ancestors.

Since its release, Tahoma has become a favorite for brewers seeking a bridge between delicate European traditions and the bold fruitiness of the Pacific Northwest. It offers a unique combination of high-efficiency alpha and beta acids, providing a sturdy bittering foundation that remains remarkably clean. It is the definitive choice for sessionable styles where balance and "drinkability" are more important than sheer bitterness.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Tahoma, the best alternatives are Cascade, Glacier, Perle, or Willamette.

At A Glance

Profile Lemon Zest, Grapefruit, Sweet Melon, Cedar, Floral, Herbal, Green Tea
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 7.2 - 8.2%
Substitutes Cascade, Glacier, Perle, Willamette
Pairs with Cascade (to amplify citrus), Citra® (to lean into the melon/fruit notes), Crystal (for increased floral spice)
Beer Styles Blonde Ale, Wheat Beer, Pilsner, Lager, Session India Pale Ale

General Information

Country United States
Alias WSU 6.1.10
Storage Stability
Retains 75% alpha acid contents after 6 months of storage at 68°F.

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 7.2 - 8.2%
Beta Acid 8.5 - 9.5%
Cohumulone 15.0 - 17.0%
Total Oil 1.0 - 2.0 ml/100g
Myrcene 67.0 - 72.0%
Humulene 9.0 - 11.0%
Caryophyllene 2.9 - 3.5%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool 0.4 - 0.6%
Geraniol 0.2 - 0.4%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,750 - 2,000 lbs/acre
Maturity Mid-to-late season
Resistant Powdery Mildew (high), common hop viruses
Growth Rate Good
Cones Medium size, oval, and very dense with golden lupulin.
Ease of Harvest Excellent; bines are robust and cones detach easily for mechanical pickers
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium to dark green
Side Arm Length 20" - 30"

Tahoma Aroma/Flavor Profile

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Cedar Floral Grapefruit Green Tea Herbal Lemon Melon
Variety Name
Cascade Citra Crystal Glacier Perle Willamette
Beer Style
Blonde Ale Lager Pilsner Session India Pale Ale Wheat Beer
Usage
Aroma
Origin
United States
Breeding/Supplier
United States Department Of Agriculture
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-20 17:50:34
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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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.