Challenger Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Challenger has lineage with Target, Northdown and Northern Brewer. Released commercially in 1972 from Wye College. Mostly grown in the United Kingdom with limited acreage.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Challenger, the best alternatives are Northern Brewer or Perle (US).

At A Glance

Profile Spice, wood (cedar), and green tea. Later additions add fruit.
Purpose Dual: Aroma and Bittering
Alpha Acid 5.0 - 9.0%
Substitutes Northern Brewer, Perle (US)
Beer Styles Barley Wine, Imperial Stout

General Information

Country United Kingdom
Alias Wye Challenger
Storage Stability
Retains 70%-85% alpha acid contents after 6 months of storage at 68°F.

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 5.0 - 9.0%
Beta Acid 3.0 - 4.2%
Cohumulone 20.0 - 25.0%
Total Oil 1.0 - 1.5 ml/100g
Myrcene 30.0 - 42.0%
Humulene 25.0 - 32.0%
Caryophyllene 8.0 - 10.0%
Farnesene 1.0 - 3.0%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1240 - 1610 lbs/acre
Maturity Late
Resistant Downy mildew
Susceptible Verticillium wilt, powdery mildew
Growth Rate Moderate
Cones Medium to large size with moderate to compact density.
Ease of Harvest Difficult

Challenger Aroma/Flavor Profile

Last Updated
  • 2020-11-25 08:30:56
Source(s)

Hops Catalog

Navigating This Profile
  • The Stats: Use the Purpose and Alpha % to understand the hop's bitterness and aromatic strength.
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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.