Columbia enjoyed limited production in the 1980’s but was later discontinued in favor of Willamette. However, as craft brewers have started to discover Columbia’s unique, pungent kick of hoppiness and notable twist of lemon citrus, it seems to have come back in to fashion. Columbia was returned to production in 2011. Now it’s used in Widmer Bros. Columbia Common Spring …
Crystal
Despite a relatively low yield, Crystal’s has made it a fairly popular hop. It’s woodsy, green, floral and fruity with herb and spice notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and black pepper. Extremely versatile, it’s even used for its notable aromatic qualities in IPAs and Bitters despite its low alpha acid content. First bred in 1983, it has an interesting lineage with …
Premiant
Premiant, meaning prized or prize-winning, is moderately bittering with a low cohumulone ratio. This makes it an ideal neutral bittering agent, especially for Pilsners. Released in 1996, it is a descendant of Northern Brewer and often employed by brewers in Belgian Pilsners and is also well suited to Belgian, French and German Ales as well. This versatility is perhaps one …
Saaz
Officially registered in 1952, the original Saaz, or Czech Saaz as it is sometimes known, has established itself as a staple variety for brewers and dates back more than 700 years. Originating in Zatec, Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic) it is an esteemed red-bine variety that is now grown around the world. New Zealand in particular has embraced …
Sladek
Sladek, meaning ‘brewer’, is a high yielding aroma variety and cross between Saaz and Northern Brewer. Originally registered as VUCH 71 In 1987, it was renamed to Sladek in 1994. Sladek features a classic hoppy aroma atop a fruity flavor profile with essences of peach, passionfruit and grapefruit. Want this hop? Browse our recommended stockists below. Also Known As Czech …
Defender
Defender has an interesting heritage. Bred from a New Mexico Wild American female, Eastwell Golding and other English hops, it was selected in the early 1960’s by Dr R. A. Neve at Wye College in England. Despite its significant humulene and farnesene content, Defender’s very low alpha percentage and low yield potential has significantly hindered its commercial viability. It may …
Density
Density shares the same interesting heritage as its sibling, Defender. Selected by Dr R. A. Neve at Wye College in England, Density was born as a cross from a New Mexico Wild American female hop, Eastwell Golding and other English hops. However, its very low alpha content and low yield potential has caused it to be discontinued from commercial production …
Dunav
Originating in the former Yugoslavia, Dunav was bred in the 1960’s with the intent of replacing the low-yielding Backa. However, it has never truly been accepted commercially and remains in limited production in Serbia. It is a triploid cross from Northern Brewer, Styrian Golding and a wild male. Sibling to Neoplanta and Vojvodina, Dunav tends to exhibit a variable alpha …
East Kent Golding
East Kent Golding is often thought of as the ultimate English hop. Grown exclusively in Kent, England and descended from Canterbury Whitebine, it is a centuries old variety. Despite claims to the contrary, it is identical to Canterbury Golding. The two names have been used interchangeably for some time. Canterbury is a town in East Kent and the hop was …
Early Green
Developed in the UK, Early Green arrived in the US in the early 1930’s. To this day, little analytical data can be found on the variety. Despite gaining almost no traction as a brewing hop in its own right, it was chosen as a parent in the breeding of many classic varieties like Crystal, Horizon, Nugget and Mount Hood, among …