Amalia Hops

Amalia is a wild, native North American hop variety belonging to the distinct Humulus lupulus var. neomexicanus botanical subspecies, originally found growing in the high-desert landscapes of New Mexico. Discovered near its namesake town of Amalia, NM, this incredibly rugged cultivar has been propagated commercially by specialized nurseries to offer growers an alternative with exceptional environmental resilience, characterized by a deep tolerance for intense heat and low-moisture conditions. Because it evolved independently of traditional old-world European varieties in arid conditions, it features a completely unique plant architecture, high sun tolerance, and an ancient genetic blueprint tailored for low-water terroirs. However, a fierce geographical debate surrounds the variety: despite multiple nurseries selling the bines for domestic cultivation, the official Amalia Hops collective maintains that true "Amalia Hops" must be grown exclusively within its native New Mexican terroir to rightfully claim the name.

The sensory footprint of Amalia delivers a bold, intensely rustic aromatic display that highlights the raw, untamed characteristics typical of the neomexicanus subspecies. The aromatic canopy opens with a dominant, dense baseline of pungent field soil, shredded wood mulch, and sharp herbal spice. This heavy, earth-forward foundation is punctuated by a bold top note of thick, resinous orange citrus peel and wild botanicals. Unlike modern, heavily bred domestic craft cultivars, Amalia completely lacks a sweet, candied fruit or tropical finish, offering instead a coarse, sharp fragrance profile that handles hot-side brewing beautifully. Its unique oil matrix provides an excellent tool for brewers looking to capture a deeply complex, woodsy, and historical character, injecting an authentic, high-amplitude punch of southwestern terroir into classic or experimental recipes.