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Mount Hood Hops
AromaAlpha 4.0 - 6.5%United States
Flavor & aroma
Mount Hood stands as the quintessential American "Noble" hop, a variety that revolutionized domestic brewing upon its release in 1989. Developed by the United States Department of Agriculture breeding program in Corvallis, Oregon, as a triploid daughter of the legendary Hallertau Mittelfrüh, Mount Hood was the first in a series of successful noble-style releases that included Liberty, Crystal, and Ultra. Its lineage is anchored by the prolific male USDA 19058M—the same genetic contributor behind heavy hitters like Lemondrop™, Super Galena™, and Sultana™. Engineered to bridge the gap between European tradition and American agricultural prowess, Mount Hood captures the soft, sophisticated essence of German landraces while thriving in the rich soils of the Pacific Northwest.
The sensory profile of Mount Hood is a masterclass in subtlety, defined by its harmonious arrangement of forest herbs and sweet floral notes. It leads with a primary, "meadow-like" bouquet of wildflower honey, dried sage, and fresh-cut hay, followed by a sophisticated secondary layer of earthy spice and a hint of lemon zest. As the profile develops, brewers will find a pleasant herbal "snap" and a cooling minty undertone that remains exceptionally clean on the palate. Thanks to its remarkably low cohumulone levels and balanced oil composition, Mount Hood delivers a soft, rounded bitterness and a crisp, polished finish—the definitive choice for imparting a sense of timeless European heritage with a bright intensity.
If you can't find Mount Hood, the best alternatives are Crystal, Hallertau, Hershey, or Liberty.
At A Glance
| Profile | Forest Herbs, Sweet Floral, Wildflower Honey, Dried Sage, Fresh-Cut Hay, Earthy Spice, Lemon Zest, Herbal, Mint |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Aroma |
| Alpha Acid | 4.0 - 6.5% |
| Substitutes | Crystal, Hallertau, Hershey, Liberty |
| Pairs with | Crystal (to add a brighter/floral-citrus lift), Tettnanger (to amplify the spicy herbal notes), Willamette (to deepen the earthy foundation) |
| Beer Styles | Pilsner, Helles, Kolsch, Oktoberfest, Munich Dunkel, Witbier |
General Information
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Mt. Hood, USDA 21455 |
| Storage Stability | Retains 55 alpha acid |
Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)
| Alpha Acid | 4.0 - 6.5% |
|---|---|
| Beta Acid | 5.0 - 7.5% |
| Cohumulone | 21.0 - 23.0% |
| Total Oil | 1.0 - 2.1 ml/100g |
| Myrcene | 30.0 - 45.0% |
| Humulene | 30.0 - 40.0% |
| Caryophyllene | 12.0 - 15.0% |
| Farnesene | < 1.0% |
| Linalool | 0.4 - 0.6% |
| B-Pinene | 0.3 - 0.5% |
| Geraniol | ~0.1 |
| Total Polyphenols | 3.5 - 4.5% |
Growth & Cultivation
| Yield | 1,600-1,900 lbs/acre |
|---|---|
| Maturity | Mid Season |
| Resistant | Downy Mildew (compared to European ancestors) |
| Susceptible | Powdery Mildew |
| Growth Rate | High / Vigorou |
| Cones | Medium-sized, oval, and moderately dense. The cones are noted for their high-quality lupulin and a c |
| Ease of Harvest | Excellent; the bines are structurally strong, making them ideal for high-efficiency mechanical picki |
| Sex | Female |
| Leaf Color | Medium Green |
| Side Arm Length | 20" - 30" (medium) |
Mount Hood Aroma/Flavor Profile
- 2026-04-26 14:28:00