Hop Varieties

Admiral - High alpha (~14%) bittering hop from the United Kingdom, typically used in ales

Ahtanum - Moderate alpha (~6%) aroma hop from the US, typically used in ales and lagers. Provides a distinctive citrus and floral aromas.

Amarillo - Moderate alpha (~8%) hop which is used for both aroma and bittering. Similar to Cascade, and provides citrus and floral aromas. We've used Amarillo with good results in our Magnitude IPA, and will continue to do so.

Apollo - Very high alpha (~17%) bittering hop from the US. Has low quantities of cohumulone, making it a very clean bittering hop.

Bullion - Moderate alpha (~8%) bittering hop from the United Kingdom, typically used in dark English ales. It is pungent and bitter in flavour, so should be used carefully.

Cascade - Very popular low alpha (~5%) aroma hop from the US. Provides spicy, floral, citrus (mainly grapefruit) flavours and aromas. Can also be used as a bittering hop. Great candidate for dry hopping; we use Cascade in our Magnitude IPA, both as an aroma hop and for dry hopping.

Centennial - High alpha (~10%) bittering hop from the US, typically used in American ales (both normal and wheat ales). A clean bittering hop, it will impart flavours similar to Cascade, being spicy, floral and citrus.

Chinook - High alpha (~13%) bittering hop from the US, very versatile and used in ales, porters and stouts. Provides heavy, spicy flavours and aromas.

Citra - Relatively new high alpha (~12%) hop from the US used for both bittering and aroma. Provides citrus and tropical fruit flavours and aromas.

East Kent Goldings - Low alpha (5%) bittering and aroma hop from the United Kingdom, typically used in English ales. Provides spicy and earthy aromas and flavours. We used East Kent Goldings exclusively in our Petebrau IPA, including dry hopping.

Fuggles - Low alpha (~4%) bittering and aroma hop from the United Kingdom, typically used in English ales and dark lagers. Provides mild grassy and floral flavours.

Galena - High alpha (~13%) bittering hop from the US. It's clean and balanced profile makes it a great for all styles of beer.

Hallertau - Low alpha (~5%) aroma hop from Germany, used in German ales, North American and German lagers, as well as wheat beers. It has a clean flavour profile, with mild spicy notes.

Magnum - High alpha (~14%) bittering hop from Germany, mainly used in German ales and lagers. Used for it's consistent spicy flavour and aroma.

Mount Hood - Medium alpha (~6%) aroma hop from the US, primarily used in European lagers despite the country of origin. With it's pungent aroma, Mount Hood can be useful for dry hopping.

Northern Brewer - Medium alpha (8%) bittering and aroma hop from Germany, used in ales and lagers from North America and Europe. Distinctive earthy, dry, flavour.

Perle - Medium alpha (8%) bittering hop from Germany, used in various ales and lagers. Provides a pleasant spicy, minty, aroma.

Saaz - Low alpha (4%) aroma hop from the Czech Republic, this noble hop is the key player in many pilsners, as well as Czech lagers. Provides a clean and mildly floral aroma.

Simcoe - High alpha (13%) bittering hop from the US, makes a great base for an IPA. The citrus and pine flavours also make it useful as an aroma hop, or for dry hopping. We used Simcoe as a bitter/aroma hop in Anchorman IPA (code name: Clifford) and really enjoy the flavour it provides. As of this writing (spring, 2012) Simcoe has become somewhat hard to come by, so if you get the chance stock up.

Tettnanger - Low alpha (~4%) aroma hop from Germany, this noble hop is used mainly in German ales, lagers and wheat beers. Provides a clean and mildly spicy aroma.

Wilamette - Low alpha (~5%) aroma hop from the US, provides a mild grassy, floral aroma typically for American and British ales. A good candidate for dry hopping.

Zeus - High alpha (~14%) bittering hop from the US, provides intense bittering with a citrus aroma. Typically found in West Coast IPAs.