Medusa™ Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Medusa™ is a true biological marvel and a "wild renegade" in the world of hop cultivation. While most commercial hops trace their ancestry back to Europe, Medusa™ belongs to the rare Neomexicanus subspecies native to the high deserts of Colorado and New Mexico. Brought into commercial production by CLS Farms in Yakima, Washington, its physical appearance is as striking as its heritage; the plant produces unique "multi-headed" cones that inspired its name. Because it evolved independently in the American Southwest, Medusa™ offers a genetic profile fundamentally different from traditional varieties, providing brewers with an entirely new palette of flavors that standard cultivars simply cannot replicate.

The sensory profile of Medusa™ is an exotic and vibrant arrangement of intense tropical fruits and distinctive savory-sweet notes. It leads with a primary, "desert-fruit" bouquet of overripe melon, guava, and apricot, followed by a sophisticated secondary layer of white grape and a hint of lime zest. As the profile develops, brewers often find a pleasant "candy-fruit" sweetness—frequently compared to gummy bears—and a subtle floral earthiness. Thanks to its low alpha acid content and high oil-to-alpha ratio, Medusa™ delivers a negligible bitterness and a lush, fruit-saturated finish—the definitive choice for a "wild," uninhibited aromatic intensity.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Medusa, the best alternatives are El Dorado®, Motueka™, or Nelson Sauvin™.

At A Glance

Profile Guava, Melon, Apricot, Gummy Bear, White Grape, Lime Zest
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 3.5 - 5.0%
Substitutes El Dorado®, Motueka™, Nelson Sauvin™
Pairs with Citra® (to brighten the citrus), Nelson Sauvin™ (to amplify the vinous gooseberry notes), Simcoe® (to provide a resinous backbone to the sweet melon foundation)
Beer Styles Hazy India Pale Ale, Session Ale, Wild Ale, Fruit Beer, Farmhouse Ale

General Information

Country United States
Alias Multihead
Storage Stability
Fair to Good

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 3.5 - 5.0%
Beta Acid 4.2 - 5.5%
Cohumulone 22.0 - 25.0%
Total Oil 1.5 - 2.0 ml/100g
Myrcene 40.0 - 50.0%
Humulene 10.0 - 15.0%
Caryophyllene 5.0 - 10.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool ~0.6%
Geraniol ~0.2%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,200 - 1,600 lbs/acre
Maturity Early to Mid Season
Growth Rate Very High / Extremely Vigorous
Cones The defining feature of this hop. The flowers are "multi-headed," meaning a single node may produce
Ease of Harvest Moderate; due to the unique cone structure, mechanical picking must be carefully calibrated to ensur
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium Green
Side Arm Length 12" - 24" (short to medium)

Medusa Aroma/Flavor Profile

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Apricot Guava Gummy Bear Lime Zest Melon White Grape
Variety Name
Citra El Dorado Motueka Nelson Sauvin Simcoe
Beer Style
Farmhouse Ale Fruit Beer Hazy India Pale Ale Session Ale Wild Ale
Usage
Aroma
Origin
United States
Breeding/Supplier
Cls Farms
Last Updated
  • 2026-05-01 14:50:32
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

  • #Floral (The Delicate Finish)

    A mellow Sunday pour. From jasmine to dried rose petals, floral hops provide a sophisticated aroma without overpowering the palate. Perfect for delicate Belgian styles. Explore #Floral 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.