Loral® Hops

AromaAlpha 11.0 - 13.%United States

Loral® is the definitive "Best of Both Worlds" hop, representing a masterclass in hybrid breeding that unites the grace of the Old World with the power of the New. Developed by the Hop Breeding Company (HBC) and released in 2016, this variety was bred from a Glacier female and a Nugget male to provide a "super noble" experience. It retains the delicate, floral, and peppery nuances of its European ancestry while boasting the high alpha and oil content typically associated with American workhorses. Loral® acts as a chameleon in the brewhouse; it can seamlessly integrate into a crisp, traditional Lager or stand at the forefront of a modern, dry-hopped IPA, making it an essential tool for sophisticated, professional-grade recipe design.

The profile of Loral® is a harmonious arrangement of sweet florals and dark, earthy fruits. It leads with a dominant primary bouquet of lavender, honeysuckle, and rose petals, followed immediately by a sophisticated secondary layer of lemon zest and dark cherry. Unlike many "loud" American varieties, Loral® possesses a unique peppery spice and a hint of herbal hay that grounds its brighter fruit notes. On the palate, it delivers a very clean, rounded bitterness and a persistent, "perfumed" aromatic finish. It is the definitive choice for brewers looking to achieve a saturated floral character that remains elegant, refreshing, and incredibly deep.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Loral, the best alternatives are Glacier, Mount Hood, Strisselspalt, or Tardif de Bourgogne.

At A Glance

ProfileLavender, Honeysuckle, Lemon Zest, Cherry, Rose Petal, Pepper, Herbal, Hay
PurposeAroma
Alpha Acid11.0 - 13.%
SubstitutesGlacier, Mount Hood, Strisselspalt, Tardif de Bourgogne
Pairs withAmarillo® (to add a jammy/orange-rind complexity), Citra® (to create a "citrus-floral" punch), Strisselspalt (to double down on French noble elegance)
Beer StylesPilsner, Helles, Saison, India Pale Ale, Pale Ale, Blonde Ale

General Information

Country
United States
Alias
HBC 291
Storage Stability
Retains 75 - 80% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid
11.0 - 13.%
Beta Acid
4.5 - 5.5%
Cohumulone
21.0 - 24.0%
Total Oil
1.5 - 2.9 ml/100g
Myrcene
37.0 - 52.0%
Humulene
16.0 - 20.0%
Caryophyllene
6.0 - 10.0%
Farnesene
< 1.0%
Linalool
1.0 - 1.5%
B-Pinene
0.5 - 0.8%
Geraniol
0.2 - 0.5%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield
2,100 - 2,500 lbs/acre
Maturity
Mid to Late Season
Resistant
Powdery Mildew (excellent)
Tolerant
Downy Mildew
Growth Rate
High / Vigorous
Cones
Medium-sized, compact, and extremely resinous. The cones are noted for their exceptionally high lina
Ease of Harvest
Excellent; the bines are structurally massive and strong, making them perfectly suited for high-spee
Sex
Female
Leaf Color
Deep Green
Side Arm Length
20" - 35" (medium)

Loral® Aroma/Flavor Profile

Aroma
Flavor
CitrusTropical FruitStone FruitApple/PearMelonBerryFloralSpicy/HerbalPineResinGrassEarthy/WoodyOnion/GarlicDank/Catty

Discovery Tags

Usage

Breeding/Supplier

Last Updated
  • 2026-05-07 00:27:06