Ultra Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

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.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Ultra, the best alternatives are Crystal, Hallertau, Liberty, or Mt. Hood.

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

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"

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Citrus Zest Floral Hay Herbal Spicy White Pepper Woody
Variety Name
Crystal Hallertau Liberty Mt. Hood Saaz Tettnanger
Beer Style
Blonde Ale Bock Kolsch Munich Helles Oktoberfest Pilsner
Usage
Aroma
Origin
United States
Breeding/Supplier
United States Department Of Agriculture
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-02 14:33:26
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

  • #Stone-Fruit (Orchard Vibe)

    Saturday is for smooth sipping. From fuzzy peach to ripe apricot, these hops add a soft, rounded sweetness to the aroma of Pale Ales and Sours. Explore #Stone-Fruit 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.