Strisselspalt hails from the Alsace region of France around Strasbourg and is likely related to German Spalt and/or Hersbrucker hops. Thought to be an old land race, its acreage is dwindling due to its inherent low yield but it survives largely on the back of a strong domestic demand for the variety. It is considered a pleasant continental-style aroma hop …
Vanguard
Vanguard hops possess a unique acid profile. They feature a somewhat rare balance of low alpha acid and high beta acid and an oil profile dominated by high levels of humulene and yet very low levels of cohumulone. Despite exhibiting some similarities to Hallertau Mittelfrüh, surely as a result of their close lineage, this unusual profile gives Vanguard a pronounced …
Pride of Ringwood
When Australian hop Pride of Ringwood was released in 1958 it had the distinction of being the hop with the highest alpha acid content in the world. Though that title has been long surpassed it is still an incredibly popular bittering hop. Best utilized fresh, Pride of Ringwood is primarily a bittering hop but also exhibits spicy, fruity aromas when …
Mount Hood
Released in 1989, Mount Hood is an American-bred cultivar stemming from Hallertau Mittelfrüher. Popular among American craft brewers, it makes a good aroma hop, with characteristics similar to a Hallertau or Hersbrucker and is also half-sister to Crystal, Ultra and Liberty. It features a pleasant noble hop aroma and has been noted to impart somewhat of a flavor “punch” when …
Cluster (US)
Cluster (US) is thought to be one of the oldest and most robust hop crops in the US. With its balanced aroma and bittering profile and outstanding storage stability, it has long been a go to hop of large commercial breweries in the US. So prolific was Cluster’s use in fact that at the beginning of the 20th century Cluster …
Eroica
Despite Eroica hops enjoying a high alpha acid percentage, they are, on paper at least, overshadowed by their sister Galena. It appears this comparison is also moving them toward denouement of commercial production along with their cones being considered difficult to harvest and it’s susceptibility to Ringspot and Mosaic virus. Developed by both the Idaho and Oregon Agricultural Experiment Stations …
First Gold
First Gold is a Golding variety, bred from Whitbread Golding and a dwarf variety at Wye College in England. It was released in 1996 and has the distinction of being England’s first hedgerow hop. For brewers, it is useful in just about any style. Exceptionally versatile, First Gold can be added at any point in the boil in addition to …
Fuggle
The Fuggle hop originates in England and was first discovered in 1861 in a hop yard owned by George Stace in Kent. Some 14 years later it was officially named and introduced by Richard Fuggle of Benchley in 1875. Similar to a Styrian Golding, is noted for its distinct European aroma and has enjoyed a long, versatile run. At its …
Calicross
New Zealand’s Calicross emerged in the 1960’s and by-and-large disappeared by the 1980’s. Born out of a dire need for disease resistant varieties, Calicross was created as a cross between Fuggle and Late Cluster – the later being the crop decimated in the late 1940’s by Black Root Rot. Developed by New Zealand’s then Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, …
California Cluster
Generally considered to be indistinguishable from other Cluster varieties, California Cluster is a true dual use hop. Used prolifically by US brewers in the early-to-mid 1900’s, Clusters were widely available and cheap – providing a generic but pleasant bitterness and flavor. California Cluster’s exact lineage is vague. The name itself is also representative of a number of different Cluster varieties. …