Talisman Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

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.

Substitution Tip

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"

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Black Tea Cedar Earthy Floral Herbal Spicy Woody
Variety Name
Cascade Chinook Cluster Eroica Galena Northern Brewer Willamette
Beer Style
American Lager Cream Ale Porter Stout
Usage
Bittering
Origin
United States
Breeding/Supplier
United States Department Of Agriculture
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-19 11:21:21
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

  • #Noble (Classics)

    Back to the roots. European "Noble" hops are the elegant, low-bitterness varieties that defined Pilsners and Lagers for centuries. Explore the spicy, floral heritage of the Old World. Explore #Noble 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.