Hallertauer Taurus Hops

Dual: Aroma and BitteringAlpha 12.0 - 17.0%Germany

Hallertauer Taurus is an absolute titan of modern German hop breeding, combining the brute bittering muscle of a high-alpha workhorse with the refined aromatic soul of a classic continental variety. Developed in Hüll, Germany, and released in 1995 by the Hop Research Center, this powerhouse counts the legendary Magnum among its direct ancestors. True to its astrological namesake, Taurus displays immense agricultural strength in the field, yielding heavy, resin-packed bines that effortlessly resist regional diseases. While it was engineered to maximize early-kettle processing efficiency for large-scale breweries, its surprisingly high oil content and low cohumulone levels have made it a favorite for craft brewers who demand pristine structural bitterness and subtle, clean aromatics.

The profile of Hallertauer Taurus delivers a robust, deeply satisfying, and sophisticated arrangement of dense forest evergreens, earthy spice, and bright zesty fruit. It commands attention with a prominent primary bouquet of fresh pine needles, cracked pepper, and aromatic wood, which is cut cleanly by an unexpected secondary surge of sweet cantaloupe melon, dried sage, and a high-linalool [tag]floral/[tag] freshness. Free from the unpleasantly heavy, garlic, or sulfurous tones that can plague lesser high-alpha varieties, Taurus maintains an immaculate level of purity. On the palate, it delivers an incredibly clean and crisp bitterness, laying down a rock-solid, smooth foundation that perfectly balances rich, bready malts or lets late-stage dry hops shine without causing palate fatigue.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Hallertauer Taurus, the best alternatives are Columbus, Herkules, Magnum, Target, or Warrior®.

At A Glance

ProfileFresh Pine, Cracked Pepper, Cantaloupe Melon, Aromatic Wood, Earthy Spice, Dried Sage
PurposeDual: Aroma and Bittering
Alpha Acid12.0 - 17.0%
SubstitutesColumbus, Herkules, Magnum, Target, Warrior®
Pairs withMandarina Bavaria (to lean into a modern/citrus-forward German profile), Northern Brewer (to double down on a rustic/woody-minty complexity), Spalter Select (to infuse a bright/noble-herbal snap over the heavy base)
Beer StylesGerman Pilsner, Munich Dunkel, Schwarzbier, Doppelbock, Baltic Porter, Imperial Stout, American Pale Ale, West Coast India Pale Ale

General Information

Country
Germany
Aliases
German Taurus, Taurus, Hallertau Taurus
Storage Stability
Retains 75 - 80% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid
12.0 - 17.0%
Beta Acid
4.0 - 6.0%
Cohumulone
20.0 - 25.0%
Total Oil
1.5 - 2.3 ml/100g
Myrcene
30.0 - 50.0%
Humulene
25.0 - 35.0%
Caryophyllene
7.0 - 11.0%
Farnesene
< 1.0%
Linalool
0.8 - 1.2%
Geraniol
~0.2%
Total Polyphenols
3.5 - 4.5%
Xanthohumol
0.6 - 0.9%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield
1,800 - 2,200 lbs/acre
Maturity
Early to Medium Season
Resistant
Downy Mildew (Strong)
Tolerant
Verticillium Wilt (Outstanding), Powdery Mildew
Growth Rate
Very High / Prolific and Robust
Cones
Medium to large in size, beautifully shaped, and remarkably dense and compact. As the early-to-mediu
Ease of Harvest
Excellent (Bred specifically for clean, efficient separation in modern mechanical picking infrastruc
Sex
Female
Leaf Color
Dark Green
Side Arm Length
20" - 35" (Medium to Long)

Hallertauer Taurus Aroma/Flavor Profile

Aroma
CitrusTropical FruitStone FruitApple/PearMelonBerryFloralSpicy/HerbalPineResinGrassEarthy/Woody

Discovery Tags

Origin

Breeding/Supplier

Last Updated
  • 2026-05-18 19:31:16