Ultra Hops
AromaAlpha 2.0 - 5.0%United States
Flavor & aroma
Ultra is a sophisticated, American-bred aroma hop that serves as a bridge between the legendary hop yards of Europe and the modern American grower. Released in 1995 as part of a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiative, Ultra was engineered to be the ultimate "Noble" replacement. It is a triploid variety—meaning it has three sets of chromosomes—which gives it a more robust growth habit and higher oil potential than many of its ancestors.
Its pedigree is a "Who's Who" of European royalty, featuring a direct cross between Hallertau, Saaz, and a third unknown hop. This genetic blend allows Ultra to capture the refined, aristocratic essence of continental hops while offering the agricultural resilience needed to resist pests and diseases that often plague imported varieties. For the brewer, it represents a perfect marriage: Old World elegance met with New World reliability.
Looking for an alternative?
Run Ultra through our Hop Substitutor to find chemical and flavor matches ranked for your brewing goal.
If you can't find Ultra, the best alternatives are Crystal, Hallertau, Liberty, or Mt. Hood.
Similar hops (calculated)
View hop substitutes for Ultra →- Defender37.1%
- Styrian Golding35.8%
- East Kent Golding32.8%
- Mathon32.5%
- Ivanhoe32.1%
- Early Bird31.6%
Match scores use aroma/flavor charts and chemistry — estimates only.
At A Glance
| Profile | Spicy, Herbs, Dried Flowers, Woody, Sweet Hay, White Pepper, Citrus Zest |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Aroma |
| Alpha Acid | 2.0 - 5.0% |
| Substitutes | Crystal, Hallertau, Liberty, Mt. Hood |
| Pairs with | Liberty (for a clean and floral American-Noble blend)., Saaz (for added spice), Tettnanger (for earthy depth) |
| Beer Styles | Pilsner, Bock, Blonde Ale, Oktoberfest, Munich Helles, Kölsch |
Genetics & family tree
Curated parent and offspring links for Ultra. View Ultra family tree & lineage chart → Recipe swaps are on the Hop Substitutor.
General Information
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Alias | USDA 21484 |
| Storage Stability | Retains 75 - 80% alpha acid |
Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)
| Alpha Acid | 2.0 - 5.0% |
|---|---|
| Beta Acid | 3.0 - 5.0% |
| Cohumulone | 23.0 - 38.0% |
| Total Oil | 0.8 - 1.2 ml/100g |
| Myrcene | 25.0 - 35.0% |
| Humulene | 30.2 - 40.0% |
| Caryophyllene | 10.0 - 15.0% |
| Farnesene | 0.1 - 0.3% |
| Linalool | 0.5 - 0.8% |
Growth & Cultivation
| Yield | 1,800 - 2,000 lbs/acre |
|---|---|
| Maturity | Mid to late season |
| Resistant | Downy Mildew (excellent) |
| Tolerant | Powdery Mildew, common hop viruses |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to vigorous |
| Cones | Small to medium; compact and dense with golden lupulin |
| Ease of Harvest | Good; bines are strong and suited for mechanical picking |
| Sex | Female (Triploid) |
| Leaf Color | Medium green |
| Side Arm Length | 12" - 20" |
- 2026-03-02 21:33:26