Talisman Hops
BitteringAlpha 7.0 - 9.5%United States
Talisman is a vintage American high-alpha variety that emerged from a pivotal era of agricultural science. Developed by the United States Department of Agriculture at the OSU East Farm, it was born from an open pollination of Late Cluster in 1959. Selected specifically for its elite resistance to downy mildew, Talisman was officially released in 1973 as the "next generation" replacement for the traditional Cluster hops that had dominated American brewing for a century.
While it was initially a commercial hit, Talisman eventually fell out of favor in large-scale brewing blends due to what some brewers described as a "harsh aftertaste" when used in high concentrations. Today, it is no longer grown commercially, making it a true "ghost hop" of the Pacific Northwest. For the craft brewer or historical enthusiast, Talisman represents the missing link between the rustic, wild hops of early America and the high-efficiency, clean bittering varieties of the modern craft revolution.
If you can't find Talisman, the best alternatives are Chinook, Cluster, Eroica, or Galena.
At A Glance
| Profile | Spicy, Woody, Dried Herbs, Cedar, Floral Sweetness, Black Tea, Earthy Spice |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Bittering |
| Alpha Acid | 7.0 - 9.5% |
| Substitutes | Chinook, Cluster, Eroica, Galena |
| Pairs with | Cascade (to add a citrus punch), Northern Brewer (to amplify the woody/spicy notes), Willamette (to round out the earthiness) |
| Beer Styles | American Lager, Cream Ale, Porter, Stout |
General Information
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Alias | USDA 65101 |
| Storage Stability | Retains 75% alpha acid |
Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)
| Alpha Acid | 7.0 - 9.5% |
|---|---|
| Beta Acid | 4.0 - 5.5% |
| Cohumulone | 34.0 - 38.0% |
| Total Oil | 1.0 - 1.6 ml/100g |
| Myrcene | 40.0 - 50.0% |
| Humulene | 15.0 - 20.0% |
| Caryophyllene | 7.0 - 11.0% |
| Farnesene | < 1.0% |
Growth & Cultivation
| Yield | 2,000 - 2,600 lbs/acre |
|---|---|
| Maturity | Very late season |
| Resistant | Downy Mildew (high) |
| Susceptible | Powdery Mildew (damp climates) |
| Growth Rate | Excellent |
| Cones | Medium to large, very dense, and resistant to shattering |
| Ease of Harvest | Excellent; specifically bred for mechanical picking and high-volume processing |
| Sex | Female |
| Leaf Color | Medium green |
| Side Arm Length | 24" - 40" |
- 2026-03-19 17:21:21