Sun Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Sun is a high-performance variety that belongs to the elite class of American "Super Alphas." Developed by the Hopsteiner breeding program in the Yakima Valley, Sun was engineered for a singular purpose: maximum resin production and aggressive agricultural vigor. While its exact pedigree remains a closely guarded secret, it is widely suspected to be a cross between Brewer’s Gold and a sister selection of Columbus.

This lineage makes Sun a genetic sibling to the famous Columbus hop, though Sun was specifically selected for its massive yield potential and robust growth habits. While it has largely stepped out of the commercial spotlight in favor of newer proprietary hybrids, Sun remains a legendary chapter in the history of Washington hop innovation—representing a time when domestic breeding was defined by raw bittering power and field-dominating resilience.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Sun, the best alternatives are Columbus, Galena, or Magnum.

At A Glance

Profile Herbal, Resinous, Grass, Pine, Earthy, Dank
Purpose Bittering
Alpha Acid 12.0 - 16.0%
Substitutes Columbus, Galena, Magnum
Pairs with Cascade (to provide a classic citrus balance), Centennial (to add a floral lift), Chinook (to double down on pine and spice)
Beer Styles Barleywine, Imperial Stout, American India Pale Ale

General Information

Country United States
Storage Stability
Fair to good

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 12.0 - 16.0%
Beta Acid 4.5 - 7.0%
Cohumulone 30.0 - 40.0%
Total Oil 1.5 - 2.5 ml/100g
Myrcene 55.0 - 70.0%
Humulene 10.0 - 15.0%
Caryophyllene 5.0 - 10.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 2,000+ lbs/acre
Maturity Mid to late season
Growth Rate High
Cones Medium to large, very dense, and heavy with lupulin
Ease of Harvest Good; the robust bines and firm cone attachment make it suitable for mechanical picking
Sex Female
Leaf Color Light to medium green
Side Arm Length 24" - 36"

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Dank Earthy Grass Herbal Pine Resinous
Variety Name
Cascade Centennial Chinook Columbus Galena Magnum
Beer Style
American India Pale Ale Barleywine Imperial Stout
Usage
Bittering
Origin
United States
Breeding/Supplier
Hopsteiner
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-25 17:31:15
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

  • #Stone-Fruit (Orchard Vibe)

    Saturday is for smooth sipping. From fuzzy peach to ripe apricot, these hops add a soft, rounded sweetness to the aroma of Pale Ales and Sours. Explore #Stone-Fruit 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.