Wye Viking Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Bred at the legendary Wye College in 1968 and released to the public in 1973, Wye Viking was engineered for strength. A sister to Wye Saxon and a grandchild of the iconic Bramling Cross, Viking was developed to provide British growers with a high-alpha variety that could stand up to the agricultural threat of Verticillium wilt.

While it was built to be a high-efficiency bittering workhorse for commercial breweries, Viking never lost its refined English soul. It represents a pivot point in British brewing history—moving toward higher alpha acid concentrations while maintaining the classic, earthy pedigree that defines the UK’s most famous ales.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Wye Viking, the best alternatives are Admiral, Northern Brewer, Target, or Yeoman.

At A Glance

Profile Earthy, Woody, Spicy (Black Pepper, Dried Herbs), Dark Fruit, Floral
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 8.0 - 13.0%
Substitutes Admiral, Northern Brewer, Target, Yeoman
Pairs with East Kent Golding (to add floral brightness) or Fuggle (to lean into the earthy/woodland notes)
Beer Styles American Brown Ale, Stout, Porter, English India Pale Ale

General Information

Country United Kingdom
Alias Viking
Storage Stability
Retains 70% alpha acid contents after 6 months of storage at 68°F.

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 8.0 - 13.0%
Beta Acid 4.0 - 5.5%
Cohumulone 21.0 - 24.0%
Total Oil 1.2 - 2.2 ml/100g
Myrcene 35.0 - 45.0%
Humulene 22.0 - 28.0%
Caryophyllene 7.0 - 10.0%
Farnesene <1.0%
Geraniol 0.4%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,000 - 1,200 lbs/acre
Maturity Mid season
Resistant Downy Mildew
Susceptible Verticillium Wilt
Growth Rate Good in England. Fair to poor in United States.
Ease of Harvest Very good; the plant's structure is well-suited for mechanical picking
Sex Female
Leaf Color Green
Side Arm Length 12" - 20"

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Dark Fruit Earthy Floral Spicy Woody
Variety Name
Admiral East Kent Golding Fuggle Northern Brewer Target Yeoman
Beer Style
English India Pale Ale Porter Stout
Usage
Aroma
Origin
United Kingdom
Breeding/Supplier
Wye College
Last Updated
  • 2026-02-28 21:56:16
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

  • #Pine (West Coast Classic)

    Kick off the weekend with a classic. Think forest floors and fresh resin. These hops provide that iconic, "crispy" evergreen aroma that defined the original American IPA. Explore #Pine 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.