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Sonnet® Hops
AromaAlpha 3.0 - 5.5%United States
Flavor & aroma
Sonnet® is an elegant American-grown aroma hop that serves as a poetic tribute to the classic Saaz and Golding lineages. Developed by Virgil Gamache Farms (and selected from a Golding seedling by Van Horn Farms in Washington), this variety was bred to offer a domestic alternative to traditional European Noble hops. Because it possesses exceptionally low alpha acids, Sonnet® is almost exclusively utilized as a late-kettle addition. It has been refined by the unique terroir of the Pacific Northwest, resulting in a boutique cultivar that provides a polished, old-world character while remaining agriculturally resilient.
The sensory profile of Sonnet is a masterful arrangement of big floral sweetness and refined herbal spice. It leads with a primary, "perfumed" bouquet of fresh wildflowers, lavender, and sweet honey, followed by sophisticated woody notes of cedar and fresh-cut hay. As the profile develops, brewers will find subtle undertones of Earl Grey tea and a soft citrus brightness reminiscent of lemon peel. With its low cohumulone levels and high humulene content, Sonnet® delivers a remarkably smooth, velvety bitterness and a crisp finish, making it the definitive choice for elevating delicate lagers and Belgian-style ales.
If you can't find Sonnet, the best alternatives are East Kent Golding, Fuggle, Styrian Golding, or Willamette.
At A Glance
| Profile | Floral, Herbal, Spice, Fresh Wildflowers, Fresh-Cut Hay, Earl Grey Tea, Citrus Brightness, Lemon Peel |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Aroma |
| Alpha Acid | 3.0 - 5.5% |
| Substitutes | East Kent Golding, Fuggle, Styrian Golding, Willamette |
| Pairs with | Crystal (for a clean/spicy-floral American blend), East Kent Golding (to double down on floral notes), Fuggle (for added earthy depth) |
| Beer Styles | English Pale Ale, Bitter, ESB, Belgian Blonde, Saison, Pilsner |
General Information
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Alias | Sonnet Golding |
| Storage Stability | Retains 70% alpha acid |
Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)
| Alpha Acid | 3.0 - 5.5% |
|---|---|
| Beta Acid | 2.0 - 3.0% |
| Cohumulone | 20.0 - 25.0% |
| Total Oil | 0.4 - 1.0 ml/100g |
| Myrcene | 25.0 - 35.0% |
| Humulene | 30.0 - 40.0% |
| Caryophyllene | 12.0 - 15.0% |
| Farnesene | < 1.0% |
| Linalool | 0.4 - 0.6% |
| Geraniol | ~0.2% |
Growth & Cultivation
| Yield | 1,400 - 1,800 lbs/acre |
|---|---|
| Maturity | Mid to late season |
| Resistant | Downy Mildew |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to high |
| Cones | Small to medium-sized, relatively loose, and oval-shaped with a vibrant pale-green color |
| Ease of Harvest | Good; the bines are manageable and the cones are structurally resilient enough for standard mechanic |
| Sex | Female |
| Leaf Color | Medium green |
| Side Arm Length | 12" - 24" |
- 2026-04-02 03:46:31