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.

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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.

Substitution Tip

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

ProfileMandarin Orange, Ripe Mango, Sweet Melon, Subtle Dank Resin
PurposeAroma
Alpha Acid9.0 - 13.0%
SubstitutesCentennial, Chinook, Citra®, Mosaic®
Pairs withAmarillo® (to amplify the orange/floral notes), Columbus (to provide a resinous/herbal backbone), El Dorado® (to add a candy-like sweetness)
Beer StylesNew 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)

Discovery Tags

Usage

Breeding/Supplier

Last Updated
  • 2026-05-15 04:04:46