Pilgrim Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Pilgrim is a standout dual-purpose variety that represents the pinnacle of modern British hop breeding. Developed at the legendary Wye College in Kent and released commercially in 2001, it was born from a cross between First Gold and Herald. Engineered as a more aromatic and resilient successor to the traditional high-alpha Target hop, Pilgrim has gained fame as one of the most wilt-resistant varieties available today. It is a favorite among professional brewers for its "chameleon-like" versatility, providing a clean, assertive bitterness in the early boil while transforming into a complex fruit-and-spice powerhouse when used as a late addition.

The sensory profile of Pilgrim is a rich and vibrant tapestry of traditional English character blended with a distinct, modern brightness. It leads with a primary, "zesty" bouquet of lemon, dried pears, and seasonal berries, followed by a sophisticated secondary layer of spicy cedar and fresh-cut herbs. As the profile develops, brewers will find a pleasant, rounded earthiness and a subtle "warmth" reminiscent of traditional holiday spice. Thanks to its robust oil composition and high essential oil content, Pilgrim delivers a crisp, substantial bitterness and a saturated aromatic finish—making it the definitive choice for adding multi-dimensional depth to everything from classic cask ales to hop-forward modern IPAs.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Pilgrim, the best alternatives are Challenger, Pioneer, or Target.

At A Glance

Profile Lemon Zest, Dried Pears, Berries, Spicy Cedar, Fresh-Cut Herbs, Earthy
Purpose Dual: Aroma and Bittering
Alpha Acid 9.0 - 13.0%
Substitutes Challenger, Pioneer, Target
Pairs with East Kent Golding (to add a honey-like floral sweetness), First Gold (to amplify the orange and apricot notes), Fuggle (for a deeper earthy complexity)
Beer Styles English Bitter, India Pale Ale, Pale Ale, Stout, Porter, Barleywine

General Information

Country United Kingdom
Storage Stability
Retains 60%-70% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 9.0 - 13.0%
Beta Acid 4.3 - 5.0%
Cohumulone 36.0 -3 8.0%
Total Oil 1.2 - 2.4 ml/100g
Myrcene 30.0 - 42.0%
Humulene 15.0 - 19.0%
Caryophyllene 6.0 - 8.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool 0.3 - 0.6%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,800 - 2,200 lbs/acre
Maturity Mid to late season
Resistant Verticillium Wilt (high), Powdery Mildew (high), Downy Mildew (high)
Growth Rate Very high
Cones Medium-sized, firm, and dense. They are noted for their high lupulin saturation and a pungent, sweet
Ease of Harvest Excellent; the bines are structurally strong and the variety is perfectly suited for high-speed mech
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium green
Side Arm Length 20" - 30"

Pilgrim Aroma/Flavor Profile

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Berries Cedar Dried Pears Earthy Fresh-cut Herbs Lemon Zest Spicy
Variety Name
Challenger East Kent Golding First Gold Fuggle Pioneer Target
Beer Style
Barleywine English Bitter India Pale Ale Pale Ale Porter Stout
Usage
Dual: Aroma And Bittering
Origin
United Kingdom
Breeding/Supplier
Wye College
Last Updated
  • 2026-04-12 07:53:34
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

  • #Floral (The Delicate Finish)

    A mellow Sunday pour. From jasmine to dried rose petals, floral hops provide a sophisticated aroma without overpowering the palate. Perfect for delicate Belgian styles. Explore #Floral 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.