Items found matching the tag "herbal"
Adeena® was bred by Latitude 46 with parentage from a mother of Summit™ and a father of ADHA 34/95/57. The herbal and spicy flavor lends to lagers, pilsners and light styles of beer. While the hints of lemon and floral create a unique bouquet for said styles.
Admiral hops was released for commercial use in 1996 (other sources have it as 1998). It was created from a male Challenger plant and female plant in the Northdown family. It is the first UK hop to have an alpha acid over 15.0%. Works well as a replacement for bittering and aroma.
Ahil was bred from Brewer's Gold (female) and a Yugoslavian wild male (3/3M). The acreage is limited in Slovenia as the preferance is for Styrian Golding as Ahil was received by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1972 and labeled "Superstrian" hops along with Apolon, Atlas, and Aurora. This created confusion in the hop trade as this implies the hop is Fuggle based and it is not.
Apolon was bred at the Hop Research Institute in Zalec Slovenia in the 1970s by Dr. Tone Wagner, from Brewer's Gold and an unknown Yugoslavian male. It was bred to with intent to raise the alpha acids while keeping "old world" hop profile. Along with sisters Ahil and Atlas, and close relative Aurora, Apolon was released as a Super Styrian hop. This meant that it should have Fuggle type hop heritage, but it didn't. This created to confusion, leading eventually to very low acreage allotment. Not to be confused with Apollo™
Aramis is the first variety from the Comptoir Agricole breeding program in France, bred in 2002. Aramis comes from a breed of Strisselspalt and Whitebread Golding. It was bred to create Strisselspalt character hop with increased and stable bitter potential.
Aurora was brad from Northern Brewer and Yugoslavian male at the Hop Research Institute in Zalec, Yugoslavia. Released in the 1970s. Along with Ahil, Apolon, and Atlas make up the Super Styrian hops similar to Styrian Golding. Unfortunately, all of these hops had higher alpha and different aroma properties as compared to Styrian Golding since they were not bred from Fuggle like hops.
Aztec™ was bred by Great Lakes Hops. The Neomexicana hop has superior growth, disease resistance and aromatic qualities.
Bohemie was bred by Hop Research Institute in Žatec, Czechia with heritage of Sládek mother and unknown variety derived from Saaz. Released in 2010 with a goal of providing "noble" characteristics while increasing yield, concentrating oil profile, and increasing disease resistance. Even though it is tougher than Saaz in wet/humid climates it needs a watchful eye. Considered more of an aroma hop based on noble heritage, it carries bolder aromatics compared to Saaz with higher alpha acid content that allows it to be used for bittering.
Boomerang was bred by the Hop Research Institute in Žatec, Czech Republic from Agnus (the first high alpha Czech hop variety) in 2017. Considered a "powerhose" due to high bitterness and intense spiciness.
Eclipse® was bred by Hop Products Australia to have high alpha acids as well as aromatic complexity. Although a dual threat, aroma and bittering, Eclipse shines in late hop additions: boil, whirlpool and dry hopping. Pedigree of high alpha Australian and North American hops.
Emperor® was bred by Charles Faram in 2013, being released in 2016. Sister to Opus™. Bred to meet the needs of bigger and bolder hops, the highish alpha acid level and great aroma characteristics make this a dual threat.
Idaho Gem™ was bred at Gooding Farms in Wilder, Idaho and named after its home state. The flavors from Idaho Gem™ are soft and full with remarkable smoothness.
McKenzie™ is the first hop variety released by the West Coast Hop Breeding Company. It took five years of breeding before the hop was released. Named after a river the breeder for West Coast Hop Breeding Company grew up fishing. Initially available in 2021 with acreage ramping up since. More pine, resin forward when used in the boil, post boil will bring out the fruitiness.
Millennium was released in the year 2000, thus the name, as a high alpha breed. A Nugget descendant that carries similar characteristics, as well as to Columbus / Tomahawk / Zeus (CTZ), bred for its disease resistance. Mainly used for bittering but gaining interest as an aroma hop as well.
Minstrel® was bred at Charles Faram in the United Kingdom, it has pedigree from Sovereign, dwarf and was planted in 2006, commercially released in 2012. As of 2020, Charles Faram stopped growing commercially due to challenges with its agronomy.
Mount Hood was bred with the intention of creating an American replacement for noble hops. Initially bred in 1983, Mount Hood was commercially released in 1989. More hops would follow soon afterwards from the Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon by United States Department of Agriculturebreeding program: Liberty (1991), Crystal (1993) and Ulta (1995). Mount Hood has heritage form Hallertau and USDA 19058M male. The male, USDA 19058M, is the same male used in multiple other successful crosses, resulting in varieties like; Lemondrop™, Super Galena™, and Sultana™.
Nugget was bred by the United States Department of Agriculture in Corvallis, Oregon, starting in 1970.. Initial commercial release was 1983. Brewer's Gold heritage. Used primarily as a bittering hop, especially in the early days, but now has been given dual duty as an aroma hop as well. Pedigree is quite complex and makes it a mutt: Brewer's Gold, Early Green, East Kent Golding, Bavarian (unspecified) and unknown variety.
Paradigm™ was developed by Great Lakes Hops. The hops shines in late kettle additions to let the flavor and aroma come through.
Pekko® is named for the Finnish god of farming. An American Dwarf Hop Association, renamed Latitude 46, with high alpha acid and a great mix of flavors and aromas.
Bred at Wye College in Kent, England in 1984, released commercially in 1996. Pioneer is a dual purpose hop.
Record originated in Belgium pre-1970, it was bred from open pollination of Northern Brewer and Saaz. Aroma characteristics are similar to Northern Brewer. Hop is grown commercially in Belgium and Germany.
Saaz, a noble hop, is low in alpha acids but is still used for bittering quite often. Saaz was officially registered in 1952 but dates back at least 700 years, originating in the Czech Republic. It is one of the original noble hops. Saaz has issue with disease and low growth rate.
United States version of Saaz was started from a Czechoslovakian Saaz seedling which was received by United States Department of Agriculture in 1973. Difficult to grow and a low yield. Saaz (US) is expected to be related to Hersbrucker and Spalt.
Santiam is a triploid hop: 1/3 of each Tettnanger, Hallertau and a unknown USDA male (derived from Cascade), released in 1997 by Agriculture Research Service, which is the principal in-house research agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, located in Corvallis, Oregon.
Simcoe® is a very popular variety due to the profile of the hop and the smooth bitterness it creates. It plays well with other hops. Simcoe® was released through Yakima Chief Ranches in 2000. Sometimes referred to as "Cascade on steroids".
Sterling was bred by United States Department of Agriculture in 1990, released in 1998. Sterling is typically considered an aroma hop but may be used for bittering. It was cultivated to be a replacement for Saaz due to unreliable availability. The hop is a bit of a mutt (or you could say complex) with heritage from Saaz (50%), Cascade (25%), Brewer's Gold, Early Green as well as other Eurpean varieties.
Strisselspalt is from the Alsace area of France and is one of the few varieties of hops from France. It is an European land variety hop - one that grows naturally in the area. The hop seems to start appearing around 1855. Strisselspalt has a pleasant aroma which, tied with low alpha acid and co-humulone, makes it a great substitute for noble hops.
Summit™ is a semi-dwarf, bred from Zeus, Nugget and gaggle of males in Washington, USA, making the lineage complex. Released in 2003 by American Dwarf Hop Association, renamed to Latitude 46. Super high alpha acid content makes this hop great for bittering. Aromatics star when used as a dry hop.
Saaz lineage grant Sylva perfect suitability for lagers and pilsners. Bred in 1997 by Hop Products Australia.
Tardif de Bourgogne is a rare heritage landrace that serves as a living link to the pre-industrial hop gardens of France. While its exact pedigree remains a mystery, it is widely accepted as a clonal French landrace—a "Late of Burgundy" variety that adapted over centuries to the specific climate of Eastern France. Though the United States Department of Agriculture received samples from Poland in 1977, the hop’s heart remains in the Alsace and Burgundy regions, where it was once the primary choice for farmhouse brewers before the rise of Strisselspalt. Because it is an authentic landrace, Tardif de Bourgogne hasn't been "smoothed over" by modern laboratory breeding. It retains a hardy, rustic character and a deep genetic affinity for the traditional Bière de Garde and Saison styles. For the brewer seeking historical accuracy, this hop offers a regional specificity and "Old World" soul that modern hybrids simply cannot touch.
Teamaker is a revolutionary variety from the United States Department of Agriculture that completely flips the script on hop breeding. While most hops are judged by their bittering power, Teamaker was engineered for the exact opposite mission: high antimicrobial potency with virtually zero bitterness. Bred from a global genetic pool including Fuggle (31.25%), Late Grape, and Late Cluster, it was originally intended for the pharmaceutical and herbal tea industries. Because its alpha acids often measure below 1.0%, Teamaker is essentially "non-bittering." This unique chemical makeup has made it a "secret weapon" in the craft beer world. It allows brewers to load up on hop-derived health benefits and floral oils without moving the IBU needle. Whether you are crafting a "Hop Water" or a medicinal herbal ale, Teamaker provides the soul of the hop plant without the sting of the lupulin.
Tettnanger (US) is a distinguished aroma hop with a fascinating—and somewhat mysterious—botanical identity. While it shares a name with the legendary German Noble variety, DNA profiling has revealed that the American version is actually a Swiss landrace cultivar. It arrived in the Pacific Northwest and carved out its own niche, proving to be more genetically related to the Fuggle lineage than the Tettnanger hops of the Hallertau. Since its introduction to American soil, Tettnanger (US) has become the ultimate "bridge" hop for craft brewers. It offers the refined, spicy elegance of European tradition combined with the rugged dependability of American-grown cultivars. It is a true dual-heritage hop: cleaner and more floral than its English cousins, yet sturdier and more reliable in the field than its German namesake.
Triple Perle is a robust American reimagining of a classic European favorite. Released in 2013 by the United States Department of Agriculture program, it is a triploid seedling of the traditional German Perle and an unknown male parent. By utilizing "Triple" genetics (three sets of chromosomes), breeders created a plant that is significantly more vigorous, productive, and oil-rich than its ancestor while maintaining the refined "Noble" soul that brewers have loved for generations. This variety is a true dual-purpose workhorse for the modern brewhouse. It offers high enough alpha acids for efficient, clean bittering, alongside a complex aromatic profile that holds its own in late-kettle additions. It is the perfect choice for brewers who want the spicy, reliable foundation of a continental hop but with the added "pop" of a bright, New World citrus twist.
Ultra is a sophisticated, American-bred aroma hop that serves as a bridge between the legendary hop yards of Europe and the modern American grower. Released in 1995 as part of a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiative, Ultra was engineered to be the ultimate "Noble" replacement. It is a triploid variety—meaning it has three sets of chromosomes—which gives it a more robust growth habit and higher oil potential than many of its ancestors. Its pedigree is a "Who's Who" of European royalty, featuring a direct cross between Hallertau, Saaz, and a third unknown hop. This genetic blend allows Ultra to capture the refined, aristocratic essence of continental hops while offering the agricultural resilience needed to resist pests and diseases that often plague imported varieties. For the brewer, it represents a perfect marriage: Old World elegance met with New World reliability.
Universal is a heritage variety with a cinematic history, serving as a vital bridge between Old World tradition and the American craft movement. Developed at the world-renowned Hop Research Institute in Žatec, Czechoslovakia, it was originally bred to be a robust successor to the classic Saaz. However, in a strange twist of fate, it was officially delisted and abandoned by commercial growers in its homeland in 1991. While it vanished from European soil, Universal found a second life in the United States. Since 1988, it has been cultivated in the Pacific Northwest, where it transformed from a forgotten experiment into a "darling" of the 1990s craft scene. Brewers celebrate it as a "Super-Noble" hop: a variety that preserves the elegant, aristocratic characteristics of a classic Czech landrace but possesses the agricultural muscle to thrive in the rugged soils of the American West.
Vanguard represents the final chapter in the United States Department of Agriculture's ambitious mission to domesticate the classic "Noble" character of European landrace hops. Bred in 1982 and officially released in 1997, it is a direct descendant of Hallertau Mittelfrüh. It was engineered to provide American growers with a hearty, disease-resistant plant that could finally go toe-to-toe with the world's most famous German lager hops. What makes Vanguard a true outlier in the hop yard is its unusual chemical fingerprint. It is one of the rare varieties that features low alpha acids but high beta acids. This rare balance, combined with exceptional storage stability, makes it a reliable and sophisticated choice for brewers who demand traditional, clean-finishing European styles without the logistical headache of importing delicate overseas flowers.
Warrior® is often called the "quiet professional" of the hop world. Developed by Yakima Chief Ranches, the same elite breeding program that gave us Simcoe®, it was released at the turn of the millennium to solve a specific problem: how to provide massive bittering efficiency without interfering with a beer’s delicate aromatics. While many high-alpha hops from that era were pungent and aggressive, Warrior was bred for neutrality. It allows brewers to build a rock-solid bittering foundation that remains firmly in the background. This provides the necessary structural "grip" for high-gravity beers, ensuring the expensive aroma hops added during the whirlpool or dry-hop can truly take center stage without being overshadowed by a "hop-burnt" finish.
Released in 1976 by the United States Department of Agriculture, Willamette is the definitive success story of American hop breeding and remains the master of earthy elegance. Named after the historic Oregon valley that has been a hub for hop viticulture since the mid-1800s, it was engineered to be the domestic successor to the English Fuggle. By crossing a Tetraploid Fuggle with a Fuggle seedling, researchers created a hop that retained the "Noble" soul of its British ancestor while thriving in the unique soils of the Pacific Northwest. For decades, Willamette was the most widely grown aroma hop in the United States, serving as the aromatic heart of the early American craft beer revolution. If you are looking for a "pillowy" aromatic depth that respects your malt bill, Willamette is the undisputed heavyweight, speaking with a refined, herbal whisper rather than the loud citrus of modern "C-Hops." The sensory experience is defined by a rich, multi-layered bouquet of fresh earth, damp cedar, and mild herbal spice, often accented by a soft floral sweetness and subtle notes of black pepper or elderberry. In the brewhouse, its low alpha acid and remarkably smooth bittering make it a versatile "all-rounder" and the secret to a perfectly balanced Pale Ale, robust Porter, or silky Stout. It provides a sophisticated finish that grounds the beer and complements the delicate flavors of specialty grains without the aggressive "bite" of high-alpha hybrids.
Discovered growing naturally in the rugged canyons of Colorado, Willow Creek is a true North American original. As a member of the neomexicanus subspecies, it evolved independently of European hop lineages, giving it a genetic "wildness" that is entirely unique. It shares a close kinship with other native stars like Amalia and MultiHead, yet it stands out for its impressive resilience; unlike many of its desert cousins, Willow Creek shows a surprising tolerance for moisture and colder mountain temperatures. For the craft brewer, Willow Creek is more than just an ingredient—it’s a taste of the American West’s wild terroir. It offers a chance to brew with a plant that has thrived in the wild for millennia, long before the first commercial hop yards were ever tilled.
Hailing from the historic growing regions of Southwest Germany, Wuerttemberger is an ancient landrace variety that once stood alongside Saaz and Tettnanger as a pillar of European brewing. Though it is no longer produced on a commercial scale, it remains a "holy grail" for heritage brewers. As a landrace hop, Wuerttemberger wasn't bred in a lab; it evolved naturally over centuries to suit the German climate, resulting in a "Noble" profile that is purely a product of its terroir. It is a delicate, low-alpha variety that prioritizes aromatic grace over raw bittering power—a true liquid artifact for those seeking to recreate the original German lagers of the past.
Developed at the historic Wye College in 1968, Wye Saxon was bred to be a bridge between Britain and the European mainland. A sister to Wye Viking, its pedigree traces back to Svalöf - a legendary Swedish hop that is now extinct in commercial farming. While many British hops are known for heavy spice and earth, Wye Saxon was engineered to mimic the refined, "Noble" traits of German and Czech varieties. Though largely utilized for breeding programs rather than mass-market production, Wye Saxon remains a fascinating niche variety. It offers growers a sturdy defense against Verticillium wilt while providing brewers with the delicate, floral elegance usually reserved for traditional Hallertau or Saaz.
Born from the legendary hop-breeding program at Wye College, United Kingdom in the 1970s, Zenith was released in 1987 as a solution for brewers needing power and poise. It was engineered to be a true "workhorse"; a hop that could provide high-alpha bittering efficiency without losing the soul of English aroma. What makes Zenith truly special, especially for home growers, is its armor. It boasts exceptional natural resistance to Downy and Powdery Mildew, making it one of the most reliable varieties to cultivate in your own backyard. Whether you’re looking for a smooth, foundational bitterness or a bright, citrusy finish, Zenith represents the pinnacle of British agricultural science.