Independence Hops

AromaAlpha 4.0 - 5.5%United States

Independence is a masterfully crafted hop blend from Yakima Chief Hops, designed to capture the pioneer spirit of the Pacific Northwest while paying homage to the legacy of independent family farms. Unlike single-variety hops that may fluctuate with each harvest, this blend is curated to provide a consistent, "old-world meets new-world" aromatic experience. It acts as a bridge between tradition and innovation, merging a rugged, herbal foundation with the vibrant, spirited citrus notes that define the American craft revolution. It is a reliable, aroma-focused choice for brewers who value consistency and a nuanced, multi-layered hop character in their flagship ales and lagers.

The profile of Independence is a refined and nostalgic journey through a classic American hop garden. Avoiding the aggressive "fruit-bomb" intensity of modern hybrids, it opts instead for a sophisticated bouquet of fresh-cut grass, dried tobacco leaf, and earthy pine. These grounded base notes are brightened by secondary layers of sweet floral blossoms, lemon zest, and a touch of stone fruit. On the palate, the experience is incredibly smooth; the deliberate focus on aroma over heavy bittering ensures a gentle finish that allows the complex, herbal-citrus characteristics to lead. It is the perfect selection for creating "crushable" session beers that demand a clean, professional, and deeply traditional American finish.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Independence, the best alternatives are Ahtanum®, Cascade, East Kent Golding, or Willamette.

At A Glance

ProfileFresh-Cut Grass, Lemon Zest, Earthy Pine, Tobacco, Lemon, Floral, Stone Fruit
PurposeAroma
Alpha Acid4.0 - 5.5%
SubstitutesAhtanum®, Cascade, East Kent Golding, Willamette
Pairs withIdaho 7® (to add a modern/zesty punch), Loral® (to lean into the floral/herbal elegance), Simcoe® (to ground the fruit with more pine)
Beer StylesAmerican Pale Ale, Blonde Ale, Amber Ale, Session India Pale Ale, Lager

General Information

Country
United States
Alias
Independence Blend
Storage Stability
Good

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid
4.0 - 5.5%
Beta Acid
1.0 - 2.0%
Cohumulone
20.0 - 21.0%
Total Oil
0.3 - 0.6 ml/100g
Myrcene
35.0 - 40.0%
Humulene
15.0 - 20.0%
Caryophyllene
8.0 - 12.0%
Farnesene
< 1.0%
Linalool
0.9 - 1.2%
B-Pinene
0.4 - 0.7%
Geraniol
0.7 - 1.0%

Discovery Tags

Usage

Last Updated
  • 2026-05-13 14:10:18