Julius Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Julius is the definitive "terroir" hop of the American Midwest, a variety that proves Minnesota soil can produce world-class aromatic intensity. Originally championed by Mighty Axe Hops, this variety leverages unique regional soil chemistry and custom harvesting practices to transform its Cascade lineage into something entirely different. Named for its uncanny ability to replicate a bright, creamy, and zesty orange character, Julius prioritizes oil saturation and aromatic clarity over traditional bitterness. It represents a significant departure from the resinous, "dank" profiles of the West Coast, offering instead a sunny disposition that provides a professional-grade finish to modern, fruit-forward recipes.

The profile of Julius is a vibrant and focused arrangement of sun-ripened citrus and sweet tropical fruit. It leads with a dominant primary bouquet of fresh-squeezed orange juice, tangerine, and sweet clementine, followed closely by a sophisticated secondary layer of mango, passionfruit, and a hint of vanilla cream. Unlike varieties that carry heavy pine or earthy undertones, Julius remains incredibly bright and breezy, emphasizing a clean, juicy sweetness that makes it a perfect fit for Hazy IPAs. On the palate, the bitterness is mild and exceptionally smooth, allowing the vivid citrus notes to remain the focal point through a refreshing, crisp finish that captures a classic "orange-cream" character.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Julius, the best alternatives are Amarillo®, Citra®, or Mandarina Bavaria.

At A Glance

Profile Fresh Orange Juice, Tangerine, Mango, Vanilla Cream
Purpose Dual: Aroma and Bittering
Alpha Acid 5.0 - 9.0%
Substitutes Amarillo®, Citra®, Mandarina Bavaria
Pairs with Amarillo® (to amplify the floral-orange notes), Centennial (to provide a classic floral-citrus foundation), El Dorado® (to add a candy-like fruit depth)
Beer Styles New England India Pale Ale, Hazy Pale Ale, Wheat Beer, Citrus Blonde Ale, Cream Ale

General Information

Country United States
Storage Stability
Good

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 5.0 - 9.0%
Beta Acid 4.0 - 6.0%
Cohumulone 22.0 - 28.0%
Total Oil 1.5 - 2.5 ml/100g
Myrcene 45.0 - 55.0%
Humulene 15.0 - 22.0%
Caryophyllene 6.0 - 10.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool 0.6 - 0.9%
Geraniol 0.2 - 0.4%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,800 - 2,200 lbs/acre
Maturity Mid to Late Season
Growth Rate High / Vigorous
Cones Medium-sized, moderately dense, and exceptionally oily. During the harvest window, the cones emit a
Ease of Harvest Very Good; the bines are structurally strong and well-suited for mechanical picking. The cones maint
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium Green
Side Arm Length 20" - 30" (Medium)

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Mango Orange Tangerine Vanilla Cream
Variety Name
Amarillo Cascade Centennial Citra El Dorado Mandarina Bavaria
Beer Style
Citrus Blonde Ale Cream Ale Hazy Pale Ale New England India Pale Ale Wheat Beer
Usage
Dual: Aroma And Bittering
Origin
United States
Breeding/Supplier
Mighty Axe Hops
Last Updated
  • 2026-05-11 07:54:18
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

  • #Tropical-Fruit (Vacation in a Glass)

    Mid-week escape. Looking for massive notes of mango, pineapple, or passionfruit? These hops are the stars of hazy pales and juicy NEIPAs. Explore #Tropical-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.