Specialty grains can be used to make the beer more, “Complex” in the malty aspect, but another part that makes the beer more complex is the hops. Now hops can either be the main focal point of your beer or they can be used just to accent your grains and the flavors that come from your malt.
I started writing this post up and it just started to become a lot of information to be put out there at one time. So the hop section is going to be broken down 2 different sections: 1) Hop profiles/substitutions 2) How to make couples of them and general rules of thumb when adding them. My hope is by doing this it won’t be as overwhelming and also it’s just easier to digest.
Hop flavor profiles
Much like the grains, the best way to learn about hops is eat them and smell them up. You’ll start to figure out what your favorites are. At the end of the day though it’s nice to have a reference guide.
In the past we put together a hop profile post which is very good. BYO has a pretty good hop profile as well. With that said though, brew365 has a cool one because they include charts, and we all know charts are awesome. If there are gaps, just check out any of the other links posted above.
(I get all sorts of happy when you mention charts)
So let me explain what you are going to see below.
Below shows the flavor profile of the hops, how it is typically used (and it is suggestive in that fashion), alpha acid, and the characteristic with a graph.
Now you really don’t have to memorize the hops but being familiar with them does really help in the future. After using them time and time again, memorization happens naturally.
The other chart on the bottom is a good hop substitution chart. This knowledge is pretty good for learning what couples with what. It is pretty helpful when you get to the point of wanting to add multiple hops in a brew. This information can be found on Brew 365 website as well.
How to use this info
So to really take this in all the way, I would glance over this and just familiar. All of this information will be handy in the next part.
BREW 365 BREAK DOWN OF HOPS
Ahtanum Hops
Characteristics
Ahtanum is an aroma/flavoring hop variety that is similar to Cascade or Amarillo. It has a citrus and floral character much like cascade with the addition of some piney or earth notes. Grapefruit quality is more forward in than in cascade as well. Alpha acids are lower than cascade at 4 to 6.5% AAU making Ahtanum a good choice for a flavor addition when you do not want to impart quite the bitterness of cascade or amarillo.
Beer styles suited for Ahtanum include American APA, American IPA, Light lagers. I also think they would be nice in a brown ale.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Aroma/Flavor |
Hop-O-Meter |
Amarillo Hops
Characteristics
Amarillo is a relatively new American hop variety that has been described as “super cascade.” The bitterness is between 5 and 11% AAU, making Amarillo a good hop for flavor and aroma additions.
The flavor profile is very citrusy, especially leaning toward a distinct orange flavor and aroma. I also find Amarillo to be somewhat sweet until it mellows out in a beer.
This hop was reportedly discovered and introduced by Virgil Gamache Farms Inc. and resulted as a mutation of another hop variety.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Flavor/Aroma – sometimes bittering for higher AAU Crops |
Hop-O-Meter |
Bravo Hops
Characteristics
Bravo is a somewhat recent US cultivar with a parentage from the Zeus hop variety. With its relatively high alpha acid content (14 – 17%AA) Bravo is a good choice of a bittering base.
Aromatic qualities of Bravo range from being described as Earthy and Herbal to somewhat Floral as well as spicy.
Bravo has gained some popularity when hops have been in short supply and have been featured in a series of US West Coast IPAs.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Bittering |
Hop-O-Meter |
Cascade Hops
An American Standard
Cascade hops are an all-American hop primarily whose primary use can be seen in the American Pale Ale and IPA styles. They are primarily used as an aroma hop in the last half of the boil.
Additionally, Cascades are a great choice for dry hopping.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Aroma |
Hop-O-Meter |
Centennial Hops
Characteristics
Centennial (once called CFJ90) is fast becoming one of the defining hops of the American Ale (APA & IPA) style. One of the “C” hops, along with Cascade, Chinook, and Columbus. Centennial imparts a pungent, citrus-like flavor and aroma. This particular “C” hop, however, is good when you are not looking to impart quite the floral aromas that you might find in Cascade.
Bitterness is between 9 to 12% AAU, making this a good dual purpose hop variety for either bittering or flavor/aroma additions.
If you’re a fan of beers like Stone IPA or Bell’s Two Hearted IPA – this is the hop for you my friend.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Bitterness/Flavor/Aroma |
Hop-O-Meter |
Challenger Hops
Characteristics
Challenger was bred in the UK from the Northern Brewer variety and released in the late 1960’s. At an average 8% alpha acid, challenger is a good dual-purpose hop for both bittering and flavor/aroma.
The aroma is strong with refined spicy notes and can even have a fruity character.
Challenger blends well with other English hops and is a good substitute for Northern Brewer or Perle hops.
Specifications
Typical Use : Aroma, Bittering
Alpha Acid : 8% AAU
Origination : UK
Commercial Examples : Fullers ESB
Characteristics : Spicy
Styles : ESB, Porter, Stout, Barleywine, UK Brown Ale
Similar Hops : Northern Brewer, Target, Perle
Chinook Hops
Characteristics
Chinook hops were developed in the early 1980s in Washington state by the USDA as a variant of the Goldings Hop. Typically used for bittering (12 to 14% AAU), Chinook imparts a rich, pronounced aroma with a citrus component. If employed later in the boil, Chinook imparts a herbal, almost smoky aroma.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Primarily Bittering but can be used as aroma |
Hop-O-Meter |
Citra Hops
Characteristics
Citra is a new moderately-high acid (10-12%) US hop variety releaset sometime in 2008. Citra is a cross between several hop varieties including Hallertau Mittelfreuh, U.s. Tettnanger, E.K. Goldings, and other unknown varieties.
The aroma is reported to be very fruity (citrus fruits especially.) Descriptors I have seen used include: grapefruit, lime, melon, gooseberry, lychee fruit.
Specifications
Typical Use : Multi Purposse Alpha Acid : 10 to 12% AAU
Origination : USA
Characteristics : Citrusy
Styles : I’ve only heard of this in IPA
Similar Hops : Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA
Cluster Hops
Characteristics
Cluster is classic American hop developed for US large breweries. It is a low to medium acid (5 to 8.5% AAU) hop that imparts a clean, neutral, somewhat floral bitterness.
At higher alpha levels, Cluster is appropriate for use in bittering and, at all levels, is good for aroma and finish. Cluster can be used in a wide range of beers.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Bitter/Aroma/Flavor |
Hop-O-Meter |
Columbus Hops
Characteristics
Columbus (also known as Tomahawk) is a relatively new hop variety patented in the USA by HopUnion Inc. Being relatively high in alpha acid (14 to 16%), Columbus make a great bittering hop. In addition, unlike some of the other high-alpha hops, Columbus provides a nice flavor profile as well, making it a wonderful all-around hop and a good candidate for single-hopped pale ales and IPA.
Flavors are earthy, spicy, and pungent with a citrus component – yet mild and not overwhelming.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Bittering/Aroma |
Hop-O-Meter |
Crystal Hops
Characteristics
Crystal is a US hop variety with parentage going back to Hallertau. Like its parent, Crystal has a relatively low alpha acid range (3.5 to 5.5%) and is best-used in the last part of the boil to impart flavor and aroma constituents.
Like Hallertau, Crystal is somewhat spicy, earthy and noble. However, crystal is said to be much more pungent and, some say, harsh than the related German relatives.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Aroma |
Hop-O-Meter |
Fuggle Hops
Characteristics
Fuggle (or Fuggles, as some say) is a traditional, old-world style aroma hop originating in the UK. According to the National Hop Association of England, the culitvar was first grown in Kent in 1875 by Richard Fuggle.
This hop imarts a mild vegetal, woody, or earthy aroma. Alpha acids are low (3.5 to 5% AAU). Fuggle is grown in the USA (Washington and Oregon) and imparts a bit less of the characteristic aroma when compared to its English cousin.
As one would expect, this hop is most often used in British style beers such as bitters, mild, British pale ale, stout, porter, and English style IPA.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Aroma |
Hop-O-Meter |
Galena Hops
Characteristics
Galena is a high-alpha (12 to 14% AAU) all purpose bittering hop. This is a pungent, very bitter variety that can be used in a wide range of beer styles.
According to John Palmer’s How To Brew webpage, Galena is “the most widely used commercial bittering hop in the US.”
SpecificationsTypical Use : Bittering Alpha Acid : 12 to 14% AAU |
Hop-O-Meter |
Glacier Hops
Characteristics
Glacier is newer (2000) multi-purpose hop variety released by Washington State University for its low CoHumulone content and pleasant bitterness characteristics. Alpha acids are low-moderate at about 5.5% on average. The aroma is fragrant and pleasing with a slight citrus character balanced by moderated earthy qualities. Think somewhere between Willamette and Fuggle with less of the Fuggle’s pungency.
Origin/History
Released in 2000 by Washington State University for its pleasant aroma qualities and cohumulone content.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Aroma |
Hop-O-Meter |
Hallertau Hops
Characteristics
Hallertau is a decidedly classic German hop that can be described as having a mild, noble aroma. Secondarily the hop imparts a slightly fruity and spicy character.
There are several varieties available including Hallertau Hallertauer (3 to 5% AAU) and Hallertau Hersbrucker (4 to 6% AAU). The latter is described as having a very pleasant, spicy or earthy aroma. Hallertauer Mittelfrüh (3 to 5.5%) is another clean, spicy German variant.
The USA also grows Hallertau (often just listed as ‘Hallertau’) of the same pleasant, mild yet spicy variety. Hallertau hops are great for aroma and flavor in any German style beer, and is also suitable for use in other European styles, Belgian ales and lagers.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Aroma |
Hop-O-Meter |
Liberty Hops
Characteristics
Liberty was developed in the US around 1983 as a replacement for the Hallertauer Mittelfrüh hop variety. It is low in alpha acid (2 to 5%) and is used as an aroma hop. Its best use is in German style lagers as a finishing hop to impart its mild, fine aroma.
When hops are in short supply and prices are high, Liberty is my go-to hop to replace Hallertau and Tettnanger.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Aroma |
Hop-O-Meter |
Magnum Hops
Characteristics
Sometimes referred to as Yakima Magnum. Magnum is a good, clean, all purpose bittering hop. It is sometimes described as having a floral character. Alpha acids are high, usually between 12 and 14% AAU. This hop was bred in 1980 bred in 1980 at Huell, the German Hop Research Instititute. It was a cross between Galena and the German male 75/5/3.
Usage is best in ale styles like Pale Ale and IPA, or any strong ales. Other sources say they are good for Pils and Lager styles. This wide range of use is due to this hop’s clean characteristics.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Bittering |
Hop-O-Meter |
Mt Hood Hops
Characteristics
Mt. Hood is a US-Bred hop variety resulting from a cross with Hallertau and is a relative of Ultra, Liberty, and Crystal. Like its relatives, Mt. Hood retains that spicy, earthy, somewhat fresh noble aroma. I think Mt. Hood is a bit more spicy and rich than its relative hop varieties.
Alpha acids are generally low-ish at 4% to 6% AA, making Mt. Hood a good hop variety for finishing any beer that you might use a Noble German variety – Helles, Light Lager, Bock, and Hefeweizen.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Aroma |
Hop-O-Meter |
Northern Brewer Hops
Characteristics
Northern Brewer hops are a dual-purpose variety reminiscent of Hallertau but with a bit higher AAU. Northern Brewer can be described as Woody, Piney, Earthy, Minty, and somewhat Rustic … which is not to say coarse or undefined necessarily. Northern Brewer is the signature hop in Anchor Steam and typifies the California Common not-quite-ale/not-quite-lager style.
There are both U.S. and German varieties available.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Bittering/Aroma |
Hop-O-Meter |
Perle Hops
Characteristics
Perle is a German hop cultivar that continues to gain popularity here in the US. Perle was initially brew from a Northern Brewer parent and certainly has Northern Brewer’s characteristic green, minty notes along with a more noble, earthy/spicy quality reminiscent of traditional Noble hops like Hallertau or Saaz.
At 7% to 9%AA Perle is best used in a flavor/aroma role at the end of a boil. However, Perle also makes a great stand-alone hop in lower alpha beers like a light lager or an American Wheat. Another use is an interesting hop in place of some traditional UK hops – a great example being Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Flavor/Aroma |
Hop-O-Meter |
Progress Hops
Characteristics
Progress hops were originally developed by HRI-Wye in 1951 as to alternative to the Fuggle hop variety. Progress is relatively low in alpha acids (around 6%) and is primarily used as an aroma/flavor addition. The aroma and taste is slightly sweet and can be described as almost having a lime character.
Common use is for lighter beers like pale ales, lighter bitters, wheat beers. It also is a nice addition to the porter and stout styles.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Aroma |
Hop-O-Meter |
Saaz Hops
Characteristics
Saaz is a very traditional aroma hop that has been grown in the Czech Republic for centuries. It is classified as one of the four true Noble varieties. Alpha acids are low (around 3 to 4.5% AAU) and its primary use is for its distinct mild spice aroma and mild flavor. The saaz aroma can be described best as spicy, clean, classic and noble (a term that you just have to taste to understand, really.)
Saaz hops are the defining element for the classic Pilsner Urquell andBudìjovice Budweiser beers, and are a welcome addition to any light lager, pale ale, and even the wit style.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Aroma |
Hop-O-Meter |
Simcoe Hops
Characteristics
Simcoe is best characterized as having a pronounced pine or woodsy aroma. It is a bittering hop ranging from 12 to 14% AAU that also imparts its characteristic aroma. The cultivar was bred by Yakima Chief in the USA. It is sometimes described as being “like cascade, but more bitter – and with pine.”
SpecificationsTypical Use : Bittering with Aroma |
Hop-O-Meter |
Summit Hops
Characteristics
Summit is a recently-released high-alpha (17 to 19% AAU) hop variety. It is a dwarf variety grown on a low trellis system. Because the low trellis is not machine harvestable, these hops are gently picked by hand in the field and are, assumably, less damaged by the harvesting process. Chumulone levels are low at 25-28% of alpha.
Summit is said to have strong orange and tangerine citrus notes in its flavor, making it ideal for brewing American style IPAs (especially IIPAs) and Pale Ales.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Bittering |
Hop-O-Meter |
Noble Hops
Characteristics
The term Noble Hops referrs to four low-acid, high aroma varieties that orignated in central Europe. These are : Tettnanger, Hallertauer Mittelfrueh, Spalter, and Saaz. Their particular aromatic properties are the backbone for the traditional aroma and flavor of many classic styles including Pilsener, Dunkel, and Oktoberfest/Märzen.
Like wine grapes, hops take on the various characteristics imparted by their geographic growing regions. This is known in winemaking as ‘terroir’ – a term which could rightly be applied for these hop classifications. For official purposes, the term “Noble hops” can only be applied to these four varieties when they where grown in their original location. For example, Tettnanger originated a small town in southern Baden-Württemberg Germany called Tettnang.
You may hear the English Fuggle and East Kent Golding referred to as Noble Hops. They share many characteristics with the four ‘true’ Noble Hops, and are the backbone of several longstanding beer styles. However, technically speaking, they are not truly Noble Hops.
Due to the pressures of land usage in their native growing region, as well as various hopyard pests, the supply of true Noble Hops is decreasing. Growers have responded by producing hybrid varities such as the Liberty hop, which is mating of Hallertauer Mittlefruh with a disease-resistant US cultivar. Mt. Hood is another example of a higher acid hop (5 to 8%) hybrid.
Specifications
Typical Use : Usually Aroma/Dry Hopping, but certainly in smaller AAA beers for all stages
Alpha Acid : about 2 to 7% AAU
Origination : Europe
Commercial Examples : Pilsner Urquell, various Hefeweizens, lots of European, classic beers.
Characteristics : Clean, Flowery, “Refined”
Styles : Pilsener, Dunkel, Oktoberfest/Märzen, Weizen, some Belgians, and many other classic European styles.
Warrior Hops
Characteristics
Warrior is a general-purpose bittering hop that offers a neutral, clean bittering primarily in ale styles. Alpha acids are in the typical to high bittering hop range of 15 to 17%. It has a relative low cohumulone content which contributes to a smooth, pleasing bitterness.
This is a relatively new variety that was first bred at Yakima Chief Ranches.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Bittering |
Hop-O-Meter |
Willamette Hops
Characteristics
Willamette hops (pronounced wil-AM-it) where first developed around 1976 as a hybrid of the UK Fuggle hop in Oregon and continues to be very widely-grown hop in the US.
Characteristics are much like the Fuggle variety, having vegetal, woody, or earthy aroma.
Willamette is typically used as an armoa addition (4. to 6% AAU) near the end of the boil.
SpecificationsTypical Use : Aroma |
Hop-O-Meter |
Hop Substitution Chart
| Hop Variety | Possible Substitutes |
| Admiral | Target, Northdown, Challenger |
| Ahtanum | Amarillo, Centennial, Simcoe |
| Amarillo | Cascade, Centennial, Summit, Ahtanum |
| Boadicea | Cacade |
| Brewers Gold | Bullion, Chinook, Galena, Nugget |
| Bullion | Columbus, Northern Brewer |
| Cascade | Amarillo, Centennial, Summit |
| Centennial | Amarillo, Cascade, Columbus, Summit |
| Challenger | Perle, Admiral |
| Chinook | Brewers Gold, Columbus, Galena, Nugget, Northern Brewer, Eroica |
| Cluster | Galena, Eroica |
| Columbus | Magnum, Chinook, Northern Brewer, Warrior, Millenium, Bullion |
| Crystal | Mt. Hood, Liberty, Hallertauer, Tettnanger, Strisselspalt |
| E.K. Goldings | Fuggle, Progress, First Gold |
| Eroica | Galena |
| First Gold | E.K. Goldings |
| Fuggle | Willamette, Styrian Golding, Tettnanger, Newport |
| Galena | Brewers Gold, Nugget, Cluster, Chinook, Eroica, Newport |
| Glacier | Willamette, Fuggle, Tettnanger, Styrian Goldings |
| Hallertau | Liberty, Tettnanger, Mt. Hood, Vangaurd, Tradition |
| Horizon | Magnum |
| Liberty | Hallertau, Tettnanger, Mt. Hood, Crystal, Ultra |
| Lublin | Saaz, Sterling |
| Magnum | Horizon, Newport |
| Marynka | Northern Brewer |
| Millenium | Nugget, Columbus |
| Mt. Hood | Hallertauer, Liberty, Crystal, Strisselspalt |
| Northern Brewer | Nugget, Chinook, Columbus, Bullion, Perle, Styrian Aurora |
| Newport | Galena, Nugget, Fuggle, Magnum |
| Northdown | Admiral, Challenger |
| Nugget | Cluster, Galena, Brewers Gold, Warrior, Eroica, Target, Millenium |
| Perle | Challenger, Northern Brewer |
| Premiant | |
| Progress | Fuggles, E.K. Goldings |
| Saaz | Sladek, Lublin, Sterling, Ultra, Vangaurd |
| Santiam | Tettnanger, Spalt, Liberty, Hallertau |
| Saphir | |
| Simcoe | Northern Brewer |
| Sladek | Saaz, Lublin |
| Spalt | Santiam, Liberty, Tettnanger, Hallertau |
| Sterling | Saaz, Lublin |
| Strisselspalt | Mt. Hood, Crystal |
| Styrian Aurora | Northern Brewer |
| Styrian Goldings | Fuggle, Willamette |
| Summit | Amarillo |
| Target | Nugget, Fuggle, WIllamette, Admiral |
| Tettnanger | Hallertau, Liberty, Fuggle |
| Tradition | Hallertauer |
| Ultra | Liberty, Hallertau, Saaz |
| Vangaurd | Saaz, Hallertauer |
| Warrior | Nugget, Columbus |
| Willamette | Styrian Golding, Target, Fuggle, Tettnanger, Glacier |
Jay's Brewing Blog 
March 20, 2012 at 10:35 am
Excellent article!!!
March 20, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Thanks!
June 27, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Awesome write up! The charts are really helpful.
June 27, 2012 at 11:31 pm
Thanks! I’m glad that you found it to be useful! Good luck with your future brews.
December 21, 2012 at 11:48 am
This is a great series. Thanks for all the work on this!
December 21, 2012 at 11:43 pm
Gladly! I’m glad you found it to be helpful!