Mount Hood Hops

AromaAlpha 4.0 - 6.5%United States

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.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Mount Hood, the best alternatives are Crystal, Hallertau, Hershey, or Liberty.

At A Glance

ProfileForest Herbs, Sweet Floral, Wildflower Honey, Dried Sage, Fresh-Cut Hay, Earthy Spice, Lemon Zest, Herbal, Mint
PurposeAroma
Alpha Acid4.0 - 6.5%
SubstitutesCrystal, Hallertau, Hershey, Liberty
Pairs withCrystal (to add a brighter/floral-citrus lift), Tettnanger (to amplify the spicy herbal notes), Willamette (to deepen the earthy foundation)
Beer StylesPilsner, 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

Aroma
CitrusTropical FruitStone FruitApple/PearMelonBerryFloralSpicy/Herbal

Discovery Tags

Usage

Last Updated
  • 2026-04-26 14:28:00