Sussex Hops
AromaAlpha 4.0 - 6.0%United Kingdom
Flavor & aroma
Genetics & family tree
Curated parent and offspring links for Sussex. View Sussex family tree & lineage chart → Recipe swaps are on the Hop Substitutor.
Sussex is a fascinating "chance find" that proves nature is sometimes the best hop breeder. Discovered in 2005 by Peter Cyster on the Gate Court farm in Northiam, a site that has been cultivating hops since at least 1900, this variety was literally plucked from a hedgerow. While most hops are the result of rigorous laboratory crosses, Sussex is believed to be a unique, open-pollinated dwarf hop that emerged wildly in the English countryside.
Propagated by Cyster after he noticed its promising growth habits, Sussex has become a celebrated "terroir" hop. It represents the historic growing conditions of Southern England so perfectly that it was famously championed by Harvey’s Brewery for their "Sussex Wild Hop" series. It is a vigorous, dwarf-habit plant that tells a story of traditional brewing revived through a lucky discovery in the brambles.
Looking for an alternative?
Run Sussex through our Hop Substitutor to find chemical and flavor matches ranked for your brewing goal.
If you can't find Sussex, the best alternatives are Fuggle, Progress, or Whitbread Golding.
Similar hops (calculated)
View hop substitutes for Sussex →- Archer30.2%
- Eastern Green26.1%
- Flyer24.8%
- Sovereign20.6%
- First Gold18.7%
- Tettnanger18%
Match scores use aroma/flavor charts and chemistry — estimates only.
At A Glance
| Profile | Grass, Mint, Lemon Zest, Tropical Undertones, Herbal, Blackberry, Fresh-Cut Hay |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Aroma |
| Alpha Acid | 4.0 - 6.0% |
| Substitutes | Fuggle, Progress, Whitbread Golding |
| Pairs with | Admiral (to provide a sturdier bittering backbone), Fuggle (to deepen the earthiness), Styrian Golding (for added honey/floral notes) |
| Beer Styles | English Pale Ale, Best Bitter, Mild |
General Information
| Country | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Alias | Gate Court |
| Storage Stability | Good |
Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)
| Alpha Acid | 4.0 - 6.0% |
|---|---|
| Beta Acid | 2.5 - 3.0% |
| Cohumulone | 29.0 - 32.0% |
| Total Oil | 0.4 - 0.6 ml/100g |
| Myrcene | 19.0 - 27.0% |
| Humulene | 19.0 - 27.0% |
| Farnesene | < 1.0% |
Growth & Cultivation
| Yield | Good |
|---|---|
| Maturity | Mid-to-Late season |
| Resistant | Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew |
| Tolerant | Verticillium Wilt |
| Growth Rate | High |
| Cones | Medium-sized and relatively easy to manage |
| Ease of Harvest | High; its dwarf-habit growth makes it easier to manage on 10-12 foot wirework compared to traditiona |
| Sex | Female |
| Leaf Color | Medium green |
| Side Arm Length | 15" - 25" |
- 2026-03-24 01:20:19