Petoskey™ Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Petoskey™ is a remarkable, field-grade variety that highlights the incredible potential of Michigan’s native hop heritage. Currently grown by Great Lakes Hops, this variety is believed to be a "lost" heritage hop rediscovered as a resilient seedling in the northern reaches of the state. Petoskey™ has been carefully cultivated to offer brewers a distinct, terroir-focused alternative to Pacific Northwest cultivars, acting as a vigorous bridge between the assertive bitterness of heritage American hops and the complex fruitiness of modern hybrids. It serves as a liquid tribute to the rugged, freshwater-fed landscape of the Great Lakes region.

The sensory profile of Petoskey™ is an evocative blend of bright citrus and deep, resinous forest notes. It leads with a primary, "saturated" bouquet of sweet orange zest, ripe melon, and pineapple, followed by a sophisticated secondary layer of dank pine and wildflower honey. As the profile develops, brewers will find a subtle, clean herbal earthiness and a hint of stone fruit that remains vibrant even when pitted against heavy malt bills. Thanks to its exceptionally low cohumulone levels and high essential oil saturation, Petoskey™ delivers a smooth, clean bitterness and a refreshing finish, making it the definitive choice for a bold "Northwoods" character with a modern, tropical twist.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Petoskey, the best alternatives are Brewer's Gold, Cashmere, Centennial, or Chinook.

At A Glance

Profile Bright Citrus, Resinous Forest, Sweet Orange Zest, Ripe Melon, Pineapple, Dank Pine, Wildflower Honey, Herbal Earthiness
Purpose Dual: Aroma and Bittering
Alpha Acid 9.0 - 12.0%
Substitutes Brewer's Gold, Cashmere, Centennial, Chinook
Pairs with Cascade (to boost the floral and citrus top-notes), Chinook (to amplify the resinous pine), Michigan Copper™ (to create a 100% Michigan-grown tropical fruit profile)
Beer Styles Pale Ale, India Pale Ale, Hazy India Pale Ale, Amber Ale, Stout

General Information

Country United States
Storage Stability
Good

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 9.0 - 12.0%
Beta Acid 3.5 - 5.0%
Cohumulone 22.0 - 26.0%
Total Oil 1.5 - 2.5 ml/100g
Myrcene 40.0 - 55.0%
Humulene 15.0 - 22.0%
Caryophyllene 8.0 - 12.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool 0.5 - 0.8%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,800 - 2,100 lds/acre
Maturity Mid season
Growth Rate Very high
Cones Medium to large, compact, and heavily saturated with lupulin. The cones are noted for their pungency
Ease of Harvest Excellent; the bines are structurally tough, and the variety is well-adapted to the mechanical picki
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium green
Side Arm Length 20" - 30" (medium)

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Citrus Dank Pine Earthy Herbal Melon Orange Zest Pineapple Resinous Wildflower Honey
Variety Name
Brewer's Gold Cascade Cashmere Centennial Chinook
Beer Style
Amber Ale Hazy India Pale Ale India Pale Ale Michigan Copper Pale Ale Stout
Usage
Dual: Aroma And Bittering
Origin
United States
Breeding/Supplier
Great Lakes Hops
Last Updated
  • 2021-01-20 11:26:38
Source(s)

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.