Keyworth's Midseason Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Keyworth's Midseason is a "wild" pioneer of British hop history, representing the boldest edge of 1940s breeding. Released in 1949 from the East Malling Research Station in Kent, this variety was developed by the legendary Professor Salmon to combat the devastating Verticillium wilt. By incorporating hardy wild genetics from Manitoba, Salmon created a hop that was a radical departure from the delicate, floral hops of the era, packing it with an intense oil concentration and high yields that once led to significant acreage across England. While it nearly disappeared as palates shifted, it has seen a modern revival through Charles Faram, remaining a fascinating choice for brewers exploring the "heavy" and pungent roots of 20th-century ales.

The profile of Keyworth's Midseason is an assertive and rugged arrangement of dark fruits and resinous spice. It leads with a primary bouquet of blackcurrant, bramble berry, and pungent pine, followed by a sophisticated secondary layer of zesty citrus, woodsmoke, and earthy tobacco. Unlike the polite "Noble" varieties of its time, Keyworth's Midseason is unapologetically bold, offering a greener and more resinous aromatic presence that persists through the boil. On the palate, it delivers a powerful, structured bitterness ideal for cutting through the rich, caramelized sweetness of traditional British malts. It is the definitive choice for brewers seeking to recreate authentic, pre-modern IPAs or robust porters with a genuine sense of heritage.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Keyworth's Midseason, the best alternatives are Bramling Cross, Brewer's Gold, Bullion, or Northern Brewer.

At A Glance

Profile Blackcurrant, Pungent Pine, Citrus, Earthy Spice, Bramble Berry, Tobacco
Purpose Dual: Aroma and Bittering
Alpha Acid 6.0 - 9.0%
Substitutes Bramling Cross, Brewer's Gold, Bullion, Northern Brewer
Pairs with Bramling Cross (to amplify the dark berry character), Bullion (to lean into the heavy/"wild" fruit pungency), Progress (to add a touch of modern floral sweetness)
Beer Styles Historical English India Pale Ale, Robust Porter, Stout, Strong Ale, Old Ale

General Information

Country United Kingdom
Alias OR55
Storage Stability
Good

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 6.0 - 9.0%
Beta Acid 2.5 - 4.5%
Cohumulone 35.0 - 42.0%
Total Oil 1.0 - 2.0 ml/100g
Myrcene 40.0 - 55.0%
Humulene 15.0 - 25.0%
Caryophyllene 10.0 - 15.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,500 - 1,900 lbs/acre
Maturity Mid Season
Resistant Verticillium Wilt (high)
Susceptible Downy Mildew
Growth Rate Very High / Extremely Vigorous
Cones Medium-sized, oval, and extremely dense. The cones are noted for their high lupulin content, which—d
Ease of Harvest Very Good; its long side-arms and prolific cone set make it a rewarding variety to pick. Historicall
Sex Female
Leaf Color Dark Green
Side Arm Length 24" - 40" (Long and prolific)

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Blackcurrant Bramble Berry Citrus Earth Pine Spice Tobacco
Variety Name
Bramling Cross Brewer's Gold Bullion Northern Brewer Progress
Beer Style
Historical English India Pale Ale Old Ale Robust Porter Stout Strong Ale
Usage
Dual: Aroma And Bittering
Origin
United Kingdom
Breeding/Supplier
East Malling Research
Last Updated
  • 2026-05-10 09:14:08
Source(s)
  • Google Gemini

Hops Catalog

Navigating This Profile
  • The Stats: Use the Purpose and Alpha % to understand the hop's bitterness and aromatic strength.
  • Discovery Tags: Scroll down to find clickable tags for Flavor, Origin, and Usage.
  • The Network: Click any tag (like #Citrus or #New Zealand) to instantly view every other hop in our catalog that shares that trait.
Discovery Tag Spotlight

  • #Floral (The Delicate Finish)

    A mellow Sunday pour. From jasmine to dried rose petals, floral hops provide a sophisticated aroma without overpowering the palate. Perfect for delicate Belgian styles. Explore #Floral Hops!
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Did you know?
  • Dwarf variety hops grow shorter in height than traditional varieties but, importantly, produce the same yield. This combination makes harvest easier.
Explanations
  • Storage: is based on the percentage of alpha acids remaining after 6 months at 20*F.
  • Oil composition percetages are based on the total percentage of oil in the hop. Example: 10 - 20% means that for the specific oil it is 10 - 20% of the overall oil make up.