Sonnet® Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

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.

Substitution Tip

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"

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Citrus Earl Grey Tea Floral Fresh Wildflowers Fresh-cut Hay Herbal Lemon Peel Spice
Variety Name
Crystal East Kent Golding Fuggle Saaz Styrian Golding Willamette
Beer Style
Belgian Blonde Bitter English Pale Ale Esb Pilsner Saison
Usage
Aroma
Origin
United States
Breeding/Supplier
Virgil Gamache Farms
Last Updated
  • 2026-04-01 21:46:31
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.