Newport Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Newport is a premier American bittering hop that stands as a modernized successor to the legendary Galena. Developed by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1994 and released commercially in 2002, Newport was engineered to provide brewers with a high-intensity "Super Alpha" variety with superior resistance to downy and powdery mildew. Its pedigree is a fascinating global map of hop genetics: a cross between Magnum and the experimental male USDA 58111M (which itself carries the DNA of Brewer's Gold, Fuggle, and Belgium #31). This lineage allows Newport to thrive in the Pacific Northwest, producing resin-saturated cones that serve as a reliable, high-yield workhorse for the most demanding brewhouses.

The sensory profile of Newport is a bold and assertive arrangement of pungent earth and rugged forest resins. It leads with a primary, "woodland" bouquet of damp cedar, fresh pine, and savory herbs, followed by a sophisticated secondary layer of grapefruit zest and cracked black pepper. As the profile develops, brewers will find a pleasant balsamic "snap" and a faint hint of wine-like fruitiness that remains substantial on the palate. Thanks to its massive alpha acid content and significant oil saturation, Newport delivers a punchy, resonant bitterness and a crisp finish—making it the definitive choice for establishing a deep foundation in high-gravity styles.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Newport, the best alternatives are Columbus, Galena, Magnum, or Nugget.

At A Glance

Profile Pungent Earth, Rugged Forest Resins, Damp Cedar, Fresh Pine, Savory Herbs, Grapefruit Zest, Black Pepper
Purpose Dual: Aroma and Bittering
Alpha Acid 13.5 - 17.0%
Substitutes Columbus, Galena, Magnum, Nugget
Pairs with Cascade (to bridge into classic citrus notes), Chinook (to amplify the pine and resin), Nugget (to deepen the herbal and woodsy complexity)
Beer Styles Imperial Stout, Barleywine, West Coast India Pale Ale, American Porter, Stout

General Information

Country United States
Alias USDA 62008
Storage Stability
Retains 75 - 85% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 13.5 - 17.0%
Beta Acid 7.2 - 9.1%
Cohumulone 33.0 - 38.0%
Total Oil 1.5 - 3.2 ml/100g
Myrcene 40.0 - 55.0%
Humulene 8.0 - 15.0%
Caryophyllene 5.0 - 8.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool 0.4 - 0.7%
B-Pinene 0.3 - 0.5%
Geraniol ~0.1%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 2,000 - 2,400 lbs/acre
Maturity Late Season
Resistant Powdery Mildew (excellent), Downy Mildew (excellent)
Growth Rate Very High / Vigorous
Cones Large, very dense, and heavily laden with golden lupulin. The cones are noted for their high resin c
Ease of Harvest Excellent; the bines are structurally strong, and the variety is perfectly suited for high-speed mec
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium Green
Side Arm Length 24" - 40" (medium to long)

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Black Pepper Cedar Earth Grapefruit Zest Herbal Pine Resin
Variety Name
Cascade Chinook Columbus Galena Magnum Nugget
Beer Style
American Porter Barleywine Imperial Stout Stout West Coast India Pale Ale
Usage
Dual: Aroma And Bittering
Origin
United States
Breeding/Supplier
United States Department Of Agriculture
Last Updated
  • 2026-04-21 18:18:42
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

  • #Tropical-Fruit (Vacation in a Glass)

    Mid-week escape. Looking for massive notes of mango, pineapple, or passionfruit? These hops are the stars of hazy pales and juicy NEIPAs. Explore #Tropical-Fruit 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.