Cluster Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Cluster is considered to be the oldest hop grown in the United States. It was brought over with European settlers and has been through many years of development, producing offshoots: California Cluster and Yakima Cluster to name a couple.

Cluster is still grown but not in the amounts it once was. Higher alpha hops and/or more disease resistant varietals have taken over.

California Cluster is another version of this hop but is considered to be indistinguishable from Cluster (there may even be other varieties as well).

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Cluster, the best alternatives are Chinook, Eroica, or Galena.

At A Glance

Profile Spice, earth, floral and fruit.
Purpose Dual: Aroma and Bittering
Alpha Acid 5.5 - 8.5%
Substitutes Chinook, Eroica, Galena
Beer Styles Lager, Stout, Porter, American Pilsner

General Information

Country United States
Alias Early Cluster
Storage Stability
Retains 80%-85% alpha acid contents after 6 months of storage at 68°F.

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 5.5 - 8.5%
Beta Acid 4.5 - 5.5%
Cohumulone 36.0 - 42.0%
Total Oil 0.4 - 0.8 ml/100g
Myrcene 45.0 - 55.0%
Humulene 15.0 - 18.0%
Caryophyllene 6.0 - 7.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool 0.4 - 0.8%
B-Pinene 0.5 - 0.7%
Geraniol 0.6 - 0.9%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1420-1900 lbs/acre
Maturity Medium to late
Susceptible Downy mildew, powdery mildew
Growth Rate Very growth
Cones Medium size with compact density
Ease of Harvest Difficult

Cluster Aroma/Flavor Profile

Last Updated
  • 2026-02-28 09:17:53
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

  • #Stone-Fruit (Orchard Vibe)

    Saturday is for smooth sipping. From fuzzy peach to ripe apricot, these hops add a soft, rounded sweetness to the aroma of Pale Ales and Sours. Explore #Stone-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.