Exploring 15 Types Of Hops With The Owner Of This Canterbury Hops Nursery
Elizabeth is a Permaculture Garden Designer, Sustainability Consultant and Professional Writer, working as an advocate for positive change. She graduated from the University of St. Andrews with an MA in English and Philosophy and obtained a Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design from the Permaculture Association.
Reviewed By DAN ORI
Dan has over 27 years’ under his belt caring for plants and gardens. Working as a Horticultural Instructor and Consultant, he draws on a diverse range of experience that includes working as a Head Gardener, Tree Surgeon, Garden Centre Trouble Shooter, and writer of academic papers. Dan has a Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture and is currently a candidate for the RHS’s most prestigious award – The Master of Horticulture.
Contributions From MIKE BARKER
Mike Barker is an expert with 30 years of experience growing hops and the Owner of the specialist nursery Essentially Hops, based in Canterbury, UK.
IN THIS GUIDE
- 1) H. lupulus ‘Amarillo’
- 2) H. lupulus ‘Aureus’
- 3) H. lupulus ‘Billbo’
- 4) H. lupulus ‘Centennial’
- 5) H. lupulus ‘Citra’
- 6) H. lupulus ‘Comet’
- 7) H. lupulus ‘Gimli’
- 8) H. lupulus ‘Golden Tassels’
- 9) H. lupulus ‘Hallertauer Magnum’
- 10) H. lupulus ‘Hallertauer Mittelfruh’
- 11) H. lupulus ‘Hersbrucker’
- 12) H. lupulus ‘Northern Brewer’
- 13) H. lupulus ‘Nugget’
- 14) H. lupulus ‘Prima Donna’
- 15) H. lupulus ‘Target’
- References
Hops, Humulus lupulus, have a long history of use in brewing beer and also provide a number of other minor yields in addition to the dried flower heads they produce.
If you are thinking about growing hops where you live, you might be wondering which specific variety to grow.
When choosing a cultivar, it is important to think about what you will be using the plants for, both in the garden and after it’s been harvested.
If you are using your hops for brewing beer, then there are many complexities surrounding their bitterness, flavour and aroma profiles.
Sometimes, you may be looking to grow hops for their aesthetic appeal rather than for any yields that you can derive from them.
You should also think about how large the hops variety you are considering will grow.
Some will grow only to a smaller size and these dwarf options can often be better choices for a smaller garden and may even be grown in containers.
We asked Mike Barker, a Partner at the specialist hops nursery Essentially Hops, what some of his personal favourite hop varieties are.
“‘Cobb’ is one of our favourite varieties to grow and we are one of only 6 farms in the world that can grow them,” shares Mike.
“This is an aroma hop used in ales and bitters that has a light spicy, earthy smell.
“The hops tend to grow at the top of the bine which does make machine picking a challenge.
“‘Challenger’, a dual-purpose hop with aroma and alpha acid elements, is another favourite.
“It is high yielding, with hops all the way down the bine, and is known as a columnar hop because of its shape.
“It also has beautiful dark green cones and is quite the looker!”
With that said, here are some more of the most interesting options to consider –
1) H. lupulus ‘Amarillo’
- COMMON NAME(S): amarillo hop
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FLOWERS: green and yellow
- TYPICAL HEIGHT: 3-8m
- FLAVOUR: sweet citrus taste
Hops for brewing are generally divided into those that have higher alpha-acid content (over 10%) and those that are below 10% in their alpha-acid content.1The Oxford Companion to Beer Definition of alpha acids. (n.d.). Craft Beer & Brewing. Retrieved May 18, 2023, from https://beerandbrewing.com/dictionary/0Mo49i2N1B/
Those in the former category are referred to as ‘bitter hops’, while those in the latter are referred to as ‘aroma hops’.
This first option is one of the aroma hops, which are not only less bitter but which are also higher in essential oils.
It has a moderate aroma and is sweet and fruity with some subtle spicy notes.
2) H. lupulus ‘Aureus’
- COMMON NAME(S): golden hop
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FLOWERS: green and yellow
- TYPICAL HEIGHT: 3-8m
- FLAVOUR: Lemony, grapefruit-like taste
This is a decorative hop variety which has received an Award of Garden Merit from the RHS.
Golden hop, as it is named, has yellow leaves that are 15cm in length.
The female flower clusters are greenish-yellow and are followed by attractive hops.
As long as the soil remains moist, placing this variety in a sunny spot will generally produce the best leaf colour.
However, like other hop varieties, it can also tolerate partial shade.
“when asked what the best ornamental hop is, I always point people to ‘Aureus’ as its robust nature, yellow hops, and leaves make it stand out better than darker-leaved varieties,” says Master Horticulturist Dan Ori.
3) H. lupulus ‘Billbo’
- COMMON NAME(S): hop ‘billbo’
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FLOWERS: green
- TYPICAL HEIGHT: 5-9m
- FLAVOUR: sweet
This is a unique hops variety that is very low in bitterness, which means that it is not necessarily a very good choice for beer brewing.
However, it is a good choice if you are more interested in making tea with your crop.
4) H. lupulus ‘Centennial’
- COMMON NAME(S): centennial hop
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FLOWERS: green
- TYPICAL HEIGHT: 4.5-6m
- FLAVOUR: fruity and floral taste
This variety, which is extremely popular in the United States, is an aromatic hop.2Your Guide to the Most Popular Beer Hops in the USA. (2020, May 7). Craft Beer Club. Retrieved April 27, 2023, from https://craftbeerclub.com/blog/post/your-guide-to-the-most-popular-beer-hops-in-the-usa
It has an extremely evocative aroma with notes of earthy beetroot and berries mixed in with woody undertones.
5) H. lupulus ‘Citra’
- COMMON NAME(S): citra hop
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FLOWERS: green and yellow
- TYPICAL HEIGHT: 4-8m
- FLAVOUR: tropical fruit taste
A high-value hop variety, this is another aromatic hop which has a varied, rather fruity aroma, with hints of a range of different fruits, and a fresh and zesty scent.
6) H. lupulus ‘Comet’
- COMMON NAME(S): hop ‘comet’
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FLOWERS: green and yellow
- TYPICAL HEIGHT: 3-8m
- FLAVOUR: grapefruit undertones
‘Comet’ is another unusual and distinctive variety of hop which has light green or yellow foliage and very large, conspicuous umbels of flowers.
This hop could be a good choice if you are looking for one to add some ornamental interest to your garden, as well as to provide a yield.
7) H. lupulus ‘Gimli’
- COMMON NAME(S): hop ‘gimli’
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FLOWERS: white and green
- TYPICAL HEIGHT: 2-4m
- FLAVOUR: peppery taste
If you are short on space, many of the hop varieties on this list may be too large for you to grow – ‘Gimli’ is the exception.
Its vines grow just 4m or so in length and this smaller plant can even be grown in pots.
Another good feature of this hop is that it is resistant to powdery mildew.
8) H. lupulus ‘Golden Tassels’
- COMMON NAME(S): hop ‘golden tassels’
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FLOWERS: green
- TYPICAL HEIGHT: 1.5-3m
- FLAVOUR: mild
This is a dwarf and female variety of hop that has lovely golden-green foliage and attractive hops.
It is often considered to be a good choice for covering a pergola or arch structure in a garden.
‘Golden Tassels’ can also be a good cultivar to consider for inclusion in a wildlife-friendly hedgerow to attract butterflies, moths and a range of other beneficial creatures to your space.
9) H. lupulus ‘Hallertauer Magnum’
- COMMON NAME(S): magnum hop
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FLOWERS: green and yellow
- TYPICAL HEIGHT: 3-8m
- FLAVOUR: subtle citrus taste
A dark or bitter hop variety, this option is very high in bitter constituents.
It grows strongly in the right environment with plenty of vigour and also has extremely large umbels and leaves, hence the latter part of its name.
10) H. lupulus ‘Hallertauer Mittelfruh’
- COMMON NAME(S): hallertauer mittelfruh hop
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FLOWERS: green
- TYPICAL HEIGHT: 4-8m
- FLAVOUR: flowery taste with a slight spice
This is an older variety that is still widely cultivated and extremely popular with home growers and some commercial growers too.
It is an aromatic hop with large, dark green leaves, a pleasing form and growth habit to the eye and, of course, a delightful aroma.
11) H. lupulus ‘Hersbrucker’
- COMMON NAME(S): hop ‘hersbrucker’
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FLOWERS: green
- TYPICAL HEIGHT: 3-8m
- FLAVOUR: spicy and fruity taste
Another traditional hop variety, this option has a pleasing aroma and is known for a distinct spicy note that creeps into the scent of the hops.
This is another hop that is relatively low in bitterness.
12) H. lupulus ‘Northern Brewer’
- COMMON NAME(S): hop ‘northern brewer’
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FLOWERS: green and yellow
- TYPICAL HEIGHT: 3-6m
- FLAVOUR: minty undertones
Though this dark hop variety is somewhat less productive than many other options on this list, it can be a better choice for more northern gardeners.
This is because the cones will ripen early, making it a good choice for those limited by a shorter growing season.
It is also high in bitterness which can be useful for brewing beer.
13) H. lupulus ‘Nugget’
- COMMON NAME(S): hop ‘nugget’
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FLOWERS: green
- TYPICAL HEIGHT: 3-8m
- FLAVOUR: mild
With high yields and strong growth, this option can be hardy, tough and capable of withstanding a range of soil conditions.
However, while it is prized for its bitterness, this variety can be very susceptible to disease in comparison to the others on this list.
14) H. lupulus ‘Prima Donna’
- COMMON NAME(S): hop ‘prima donna’
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FLOWERS: green
- TYPICAL HEIGHT: 2-4m
- FLAVOUR: orange, citrusy taste
Another dwarf hops variety that grows only around 3m long, this option has leaves that start out green before turning more yellow in colour as the season progresses.
The greenish-yellow female flower clusters are produced in profusion in summer and are followed in autumn by aromatic hops.
15) H. lupulus ‘Target’
- COMMON NAME(S): target hop
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FLOWERS: green and yellow
- TYPICAL HEIGHT: 3-8m
- FLAVOUR: sage undertones
Like ‘Nugget’, ‘Target’ does not make great demands on the soil in which it is grown and is fairly hardy.
This is an attractive cultivar with closed umbels and it is less susceptible to powdery mildew than some varieties.
