Items found matching the tag "united states"
Ahtanum® is named for the location where Charles Carpenter established the first hop farm in the Yakima Valley in 1869. It is the first commercially available bred hop by Yakima Chief Ranches. Used primarily as an aroma hop due to low alpha acid composition.
Alora™, formerly known as HS19901 and bred by Hopsteiner, has a very unique oil composition. Alroa contains over 50% of hop oil composition of unknown type. Typically hops are made up of Pinene, Mycrene, Limonene, Linalool, Caryophyllene, Farnesene, Humulene, and Geraniol. Selinene, a sesquiterpene rarely found in hops, makes up a the unknown oil. Selinene is important since it imparts citrus characteristics into the finished beer: Calamondin Oranges and Yuzu Fruit. The makeup of Alora is friendly to the environment as the genetic makeup was chosen from hops that are disease. The name Alora™ is of Latin origin meaning "beautiful dream, dreamlike, or divine light."
Amarillo® is a super version of Cascade that has a distinctive orange character that separates it from Cascade. Trademark owned by Virgil Gamache Farms and was found by them growing alongside Liberty in their hop yard.
Anchovy, originally named 24B-05, was bred at Segal Ranch in the Yakima Valley, Washington. The odd name was coined by Fast Fashion Brewing in Seattle, Washington, after being the first to use the hop commercially. Possibly released in 2022.
Aquila was bred in Washington, Oregon and Idaho in 3-acre trials in 1987 by United States Department of Agriculture. Eventually released commercially in 1994 after trials. Anheuser Busch showed interest and Washington in increased to 100 acres to allow for evaluation. Aquila was open-pollinated from Brewer's Gold. Aquila hasn't worked out as a commercial hop due to high cohumulone content and subpar storage stability. Discontinued in 1996 after Anheuser Busch lost interest.
Aztec™ was bred by Great Lakes Hops. The Neomexicana hop has superior growth, disease resistance and aromatic qualities.
Bitter Gold was released in 1999 and has lineage linked to Brewer's Gold, Bullion, Comet and Fuggle. Higher alpha acids than any of its parents as well as when compared to Galena or Nugget, which are considered close substitutes. Mild profile when used as a bittering addition but shines in later additions, delivering stone and tropic fruit flavors.
Cascade was released in 1972 by the United States Department of Agriculture in Oregen, it is named for the Northwest mountain range. Primarily developed at Oregon State University East Farm in Corvallis. Cascade is a cross between Fuggle and Serebrianka (Russia) and open pollinated in 1955. Cascade is the first superstar of American hops and paved the way for bold hops in today's brewing scene. The ratio of alpha to beta acids is similar to European aroma hops.
Released in 1990, Centennial's genetics is 75% Brewer's Gold as well as Fuggle, East Kent Golding, and Bavarian hops. The male parent is the same as that of Nugget. Typically referred to as "Super Cascade". Centennial offers more bittering potential and an overall bigger profile than Cascade. Centennial was developed in 1974 by S.T. Kenny and C.E. Zimmerman. Bred by the United States Department of Agriculture Hop Germplasm Collection, Oregon State Univerity East Farm Washington State University Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center, Prosser, Washington.
Released by the United States Department of Agriculture breeding program in 1985, Chinook is considered by the some the fourth member of the Three C's: Cascade, Centennial, and Columbus / Tomahawk / Zeus (CTZ). With no trademark, Chinook is a great candidate to grow at home.
Elani was bred by Yakima Quality Hops, initially known as YQH-1320. Elani was available commercially for the first time in 2022.
Horizon contains the lowest cohumulone level of any hop, which typically results in a smoother bitterness. Horizon is a half-sister of Nugget, bred at Oregon Status University in Corvallis, Oregon by United States Department of Agriculture in 1970 with eventual commercial release in 1998, has lineage of Brewer's Gold, Early Green Hops, USDA 65009 and 64035M. USDA 65009 was also the mother of Nugget.
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.
Krush® was bred by Hop Breeding Company and was known as HBC 586. Per the HBC's goal, this hop produces high yields, good storage stability, and is resistant to disease and pests. Released to the public in 2024. The profile of Krush® makes it suitable for just about any style and plays well with other hops as well.
Liberty is an American hop with German heritage; bred to resemble Hallertau, therefore it is primarily used for aroma. Development began in 1983 by the United States Department of Agriculture program in Corvallis, Oregon before commercial release in 1991.
Lórien® was purposely bred, by Indie Hops Flavor Project, to be used in low gravity beers, in an attempt to keep up with the trend of the public towards lighter, low-alcohol, carbonated beverages. Designed by Shaun Townsend, at Oregon State University, the seed for Lorien was gathered in 2010 from Sterling female pollinated with a German male. Lemon and lime forward with notes of hay and melon that is swept away by cinnamon, while allowing the beers malts to shine.
Magnum (US) is grown in much lower acreage than in Germany, but, like it's German counterpart, is a great bittering hop.
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.
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™.
Norther Brewer is a great bittering hop that is the base of many beer. It is a cross of a Native American varietal and Northern Brewer, the resulting hop is genetically distinct from the English parent.
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.
Olympic is bred from Brewer's Gold, Fuggle, East Kent Golding, Bavarian, and a fifth unknown varietal. It was released sometime in the mid 1980s.
Believe to have be be of Tettnanger decent from the Yakima valley by Yakima Chief Ranch.
Paradigm™ was developed by Great Lakes Hops. The hops shines in late kettle additions to let the flavor and aroma come through.
The same as the German Perle but with a higher alpha content.
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.
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.
Sunbeam is a cross from Saaz and open pollination by Dr. Al Haunold in 1990 at the Hop experimental farm, East Farm, Corvallis, OR. Considered an ornamental diploid plant, it was never meant for commercial production, but the Saaz-like aroma makes it great for lagers. The plan is sensitive to sunlight due to reduced chlorophyll content, therefore semi-shade is needed to keep the leaves from shriveling and browning.
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.
Tillicum® is a high-performance American bittering hop that represents the evolution of Pacific Northwest breeding. Released in 1995 by the John I. Haas program, it was developed from a cross between the legendary Galena and a select Haas male. Its name, derived from Chinook Jargon meaning "people," "family," or "friends," reflects its deep roots in the Washington hop-growing community. As a sister variety to Chelan, Tillicum® was engineered to be a "Super-Galena." It offers the same rugged reliability as its parent but with higher alpha acid efficiency and superior storage stability. While it is a primary choice for commercial hop extracts, craft brewers have reclaimed Tillicum as a foundational bittering hop. It provides a clean, dependable bitterness that remains stable even in high-gravity beers with heavy malt profiles.
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.
Triumph is a modern American masterpiece, released in 2019 by the United States Department of Agriculture public breeding program in Corvallis, Oregon. Though it hit the market recently, its journey began in 2001 as part of an effort to create a "super-noble" variety. Its pedigree is a literal "who’s who" of world-class genetics, weaving together a tapestry that includes Nugget, Brewer's Gold, East Kent Golding, and Hallertau. Because it is a public variety, Triumph represents a win for the craft community, offering a world-class, multi-functional hop that is accessible to every brewer. It serves as the ultimate bridge between the refined elegance of European landrace hops and the robust fruitiness of modern American cultivars. It has rapidly become the go-to choice for brewers looking to "modernize" traditional styles with a vibrant, fruit-forward twist while maintaining classic drinkability.
Tropica is a "terroir-driven" marvel developed by Minnesota Axe Hops in the heart of the North Star State. While its genetic blueprint is rooted in the legendary Chinook, Tropica is a masterclass in how geography and specialized handling can completely redefine a hop's identity. What truly sets Tropica apart is the meticulous "low-and-slow" processing. By drying the hops at temperatures below 110°F–120°F, the farmers preserve the delicate, volatile oils that are usually scorched away in industrial kilns. This specialized care, combined with unique Minnesota soil, allows Tropica to shed the aggressive pine-heavy profile of its ancestors and emerge as a "clean" tropical powerhouse indigenous to the American Midwest.
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.
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.
Vista is a modern aromatic marvel, officially released in 2021 as a crown jewel of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-ARS) public breeding program in Corvallis, Oregon. Originally bred in 2006, it spent over a decade in the "Elite Line" trials, engineered to stand toe-to-toe with the most popular proprietary tropical hops on the market. Its pedigree is a fascinating blend of structural reliability and modern zest, pulling genetics from Perle, Northern Brewer, and Hallertau. What sets Vista apart is its "triple-threat" agricultural profile: it was specifically selected for massive yields, high drought tolerance, and extreme heat resistance. This makes it a sustainable hero for the future of American hop farming. As a public variety, Vista offers every brewer a world-class, high-impact aromatic profile that is accessible to all, serving as a cornerstone for the next generation of fruit-forward American craft beers.
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.
While modern IPAs are defined by tropical fruit, Yakima Cluster is the hop that built the American brewing industry. A specific clonal selection (USDA 65102) of the oldest hop lineage in the United States, this variety was refined in the 1950s by the Prosser Research Center. It was engineered specifically to thrive in the sun-drenched, irrigated soils of Washington’s Yakima Valley—a terroir so specific that this hop struggles to grow in the more humid climates of Idaho or the Willamette Valley. For the brewer, Yakima Cluster is a "living artifact." It represents the missing link between the wild hops of the early American frontier and the precision of modern agriculture. It remains the "gold standard" for anyone looking to brew a truly authentic, historical American ale or lager. Similar to Early Cluster and non-distinguishable from other hops in the Cluster family, it is usually just called "Cluster".
Released in 2013 by Washington State University, Yakima Gold is a masterfully bred "American-Noble" hybrid. Its name pays homage to the world-renowned Yakima Valley, where it was developed to combine the hardy, time-tested genetics of Early Cluster with the sophisticated aromatic heritage of Slovenian Styrian Golding. For the brewer, Yakima Gold represents the best of both worlds: the vigorous growth and high oil content of a Washington-grown hop, paired with the delicate, refined bitterness typically reserved for traditional European cultivars. It is a versatile "bridge" variety that brings Old World grace to the modern American brewhouse.
Formerly known as Samba, Zamba™ is the flagship proprietary release from the BSG Hop Solutions Program. Unlike traditional single-variety hops, Zamba is a masterfully curated blend designed to take the guesswork out of brewing high-impact IPAs. By scientifically pairing specific cultivars, Zamba ensures that your beer delivers a consistent, high-intensity aromatic profile year-round, bypassing the natural flavor swings often found in single-hop harvests. It is essentially a "one-stop shop" for tropical complexity. Zamba was engineered to cut through heavy malt bills and high-gravity mashes, providing a reliable foundation for any brewer looking to achieve a "commercial grade" fruit-forward profile in their homebrewhouse.
Zappa™ is named after the avant-garde rock legend Frank Zappa, this hop is just as eclectic and non-conformist as its namesake. Unlike the vast majority of hops that trace their roots back to Europe, Zappa is a native North American variety belonging to the neomexicanus subspecies. Discovered growing wild in the mountains of New Mexico and brought to the world by CLS Farms, it represents a genetically distinct "wildness" that evolved independently of traditional brewing varieties. For the homebrewer, Zappa is the ultimate tool for experimental expression. It breaks every "rule" in the book, offering a flavor profile that shifts and evolves with every sip. It’s a favorite for those looking to push the boundaries of what a hop can be, bridging the gap between tropical fruit sweetness and savory, "funky" complexity.
While its DNA belongs to the legendary Columbus / Tomahawk / Zeus (CTZ) hop family, Zenia is far from your standard bittering hop. Cultivated by the farmer-owned Mighty Axe Hops in Minnesota, this variety is a testament to the power of terroir and specialized processing. Unlike its ancestors, which are often picked early for raw bittering power, Zenia is harvested late and aged in climate-controlled environments. This deliberate "resting" period allows the pungent, sulfurous notes often found in high-alpha hops to fade away, leaving behind a refined and complex aromatic profile. The result is a uniquely American hop that bridges the gap between old-school "dank" characteristics and modern, fruit-forward intensity. Currently difficult to source following the closure of Mighty Axe Hops in 2020.
Zythos® isn't your average hop, it's a "greatest hits" compilation of the West Coast craft movement. Developed by Hopunion LLC (now Yakima Chief Hops) as a proprietary blend, Zythos was engineered specifically to take the guesswork out of brewing world-class IPAs. While most hops are single varieties, Zythos is a curated "IPA powerhouse" designed for consistency and depth. For the homebrewer, it's a versatile tool that offers a bold punch of grapefruit and tangerine alongside tropical notes of pineapple. With a high enough alpha acid content to provide a clean bittering base, it’s a true dual-purpose blend that ensures your brew is as aromatic as it is balanced. Hop blending is similar to wine blending in which the sum of the parts can be more/different than the individual parts.