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Hydra™ Hops
AromaAlpha 9.0 - 13.0%United States
Breeding & lineage: Proprietary Midwest-bred aromatic variety
Genetics & family tree
Curated parent and offspring links for Hydra. View Hydra family tree & lineage chart → Recipe swaps are on the Hop Substitutor.
Hydra™ is a high-impact aromatic powerhouse that represents the cutting edge of Midwest hop breeding. Developed and released by Great Lakes Hops, this variety was engineered to deliver a "mythical" level of aromatic complexity while maintaining the rugged resilience needed to thrive in the Great Lakes climate. True to its name, Hydra™ offers a multi-layered sensory experience—shifting from bright, zesty citrus to deep, resinous fruit depending on the brewhouse application. It is a versatile "juicy" hop that functions perfectly as either a standalone focal point or a complementary addition in hop-forward recipes, showcasing the unique terroir of the American heartland.
The profile of Hydra™ is a saturated and spirited arrangement of tropical stone fruits and zesty citrus. It leads with a primary bouquet of mandarin orange, ripe mango, and sweet melon, followed closely by a sophisticated secondary layer of grapefruit zest and a subtle, dank resinous finish. Because of its exceptionally high oil-to-alpha ratio, it imparts a "saturated" fruit sensation on the palate that is both lush and refreshing. The bitterness is clean and well-integrated, providing a transparent frame that allows the vivid fruit oils to linger through a crisp, professional finish, making it the definitive choice for brewers seeking fruit-forward clarity and intense aromatic depth.
Looking for an alternative?
Run Hydra through our Hop Substitutor to find chemical and flavor matches ranked for your brewing goal.
If you can't find Hydra, the best alternatives are Centennial, Chinook, Citra®, or Mosaic®.
Similar hops (calculated)
View hop substitutes for Hydra →Match scores use aroma/flavor charts and chemistry — estimates only.
At A Glance
| Profile | Mandarin Orange, Ripe Mango, Sweet Melon, Subtle Dank Resin |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Aroma |
| Alpha Acid | 9.0 - 13.0% |
| Substitutes | Centennial, Chinook, Citra®, Mosaic® |
| Pairs with | Amarillo® (to amplify the orange/floral notes), Columbus (to provide a resinous/herbal backbone), El Dorado® (to add a candy-like sweetness) |
| Beer Styles | New England India Pale Ale, West Coast India Pale Ale, Pale Ale, Imperial Stout, Fruit Beers |
General Information
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Aliases | GLH-74582, Befuddlement |
| Storage Stability | Very Good |
Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)
| Alpha Acid | 9.0 - 13.0% |
|---|---|
| Beta Acid | 4.0 - 6.0% |
| Cohumulone | 24.0 - 28.0% |
| Total Oil | 1.5 - 2.8 ml/100g |
| Myrcene | 45.0 - 55.0% |
| Humulene | 15.0 - 22.0% |
| Caryophyllene | 6.0 - 10.0% |
| Farnesene | < 1.0% |
| Linalool | 0.5 - 0.8% |
Growth & Cultivation
| Yield | 1,800 - 2,200 lbs/acre |
|---|---|
| Maturity | Mid to Late Season |
| Growth Rate | Very High / Prolific |
| Cones | Medium-sized, firm, and heavily laden with golden lupulin. During the harvest window, the cones emit |
| Ease of Harvest | Excellent; the bines are structurally sound and handle mechanical picking with high efficiency. The |
| Sex | Female |
| Leaf Color | Medium Green |
| Side Arm Length | 24" - 36" (Long) |
- 2026-05-15 04:04:46
- https://www.greatlakeshops.com/hydratrade.html
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