We couldn’t just write a list of the five most popular hops in the world as that’s easy. Working with some wonderful hop farmers, we’ve experienced incredible trips during the hop harvest. It’s given us an insight into what makes a great hop. We also work with many of the world’s best craft brewers. Discussing our experiences with hops is something we love. Here are 5 hops you must try.
Citra
The most popular selling variety of hop that we sell is Citra. But does that mean it’s a hop you must try? Does the terroir, the location, the farmer and the hop merchant matter as to how that hop is purchased? In our professional opinion, we think it does have a large impact. We carefully choose who we work with, and we have invested significantly in relationships, cold storage, and industry-leading packaging. Even our smallest homebrew packets leave nitrogen flushed in resealable hops bags that are environment-proof. Citra is, however, a hop you must try. It has a unique fruit-forward aroma with sweet fruit flavours of grapefruit. It’s an awesome dry hop addition as well as whirlpool and pairs well with a wide variety of hops.
Styrian Goldings & Aurora
When we talk about experiences selecting hops, I feel we must add some Slovenian hops to the list of hops you must try. I have built a strong relationship with a hop farmer who grows two varieties Styrian Goldings & Aurora. The family farm is based in Slovenj Gradac on the sunny side of the Alps. The valley they farm is naturally beautiful and untouched by large-scale industry. Aurora is a beautiful aroma hop, but we love it for it creates a smooth bitterness, and we use it in lots of recipes as a bittering hop. Styrian Goldings is perfect for bitterness aroma and flavour. With the challenging Saaz hop harvest we are currently seeing. We predict the popularity for this variety will soar. Styrian Goldings are superb in lager styles and a wide range of Belgian Style Beers. It has great diversity, and we highly recommend you try Styrian Goldings.
Ekuanot
When we look at hops that pair well with other varieties, I would suggest you try Ekuanot. It brings a complex array of aromas and flavours and plays exceptionally well with other fruit-forward hops to create that juicy NEIPA that is currently on trend.
Riwaka
We recently brewed a 6.5% IPA using Riwaka, which was stunning. NZ hops are definitely producing some amazing flavours and aromas. The Riwaka hop produces stand-out tropical fruit aromas and distinct, intense citrus and passionfruit flavour notes. The delicate Riwaka oils carry through into an impressive sensory experience.
The Data
Citra
Citra is an aroma hop with a promising future. Developed by the Hop Breeding Company, it has unique and captivating flavour characteristics. The hop variety (HBC 394) originated from a cross between Hallertau Mittelfrueh and a father derived from U.S. Tettnang. It was released in 2008.
Citra tends to compete with citrus, fruity and berry characters each crop year. In 2020, the sweet fruits definitely win, mango, lychee, passion fruit – you name it. Still, the citrus and berry characters continue to be strong.
Aroma Characteristics: As its name suggests, Citra®’s flavour profile contains citrus fruits, such as lime and grapefruit. However, tropical fruit notes of passion fruit, peach, lychee and many others also contribute to its unique fruity aroma.
Analysis Values:
| Growing Area | United States |
| Heritage | 50,0 % Hallertau, 25.0 % US Tettnang,25.0 % unknown |
| Alpha Acids | 11.0 – 13 % |
| Total Polyphenols | 4.5 – 5.5 % |
| Myrcene | 60.0 – 65.0 % Total Oils |
| Beta Acids | 3.5 – 4.5 % |
| Total Oil | 2.2 – 2.8 ml/100 g |
| Linalool | 1.0 – 2.0 % Total Oils |
Styrian Goldings
Syrian Gold was bread from Styrian Savinski Golding to improve agronomical performance and was released in 2009. It is grown primarily in Slovenia and possesses a very characteristic aroma. For this variety, spicy and herbal flavour elements are key. In 2019, juniper, curry, thyme and basil dominate the flavour profile. In addition, there are green-grassy notes, such as cucumber and nettle, but also honey and yoghurt.
Aroma Characteristics: The raw hops present spicy and herbal aromas with woody aromatic, hay and green-grassy (nettle) note. These are complemented by cream and honey aromas.
Key Flavours: Cassis, Eucalyptus, Citrus, Grapefruit, Lemongrass
Analysis Values:
| Growing Area | Slovenia |
| Heritage | Daughter of Styrian Savinjski Golding |
| Alpha Acids | 3.5-6.5 % |
| Total Polyphenols | no data |
| Myrcene | 38.0 – 47.0 % Total Oils |
| Beta Acids | 3.5-5.9 % |
| Total Oil | 1.3 – 2.3 ml/100 g |
| Linalool | 1.3 – 2.3 % Total Oils |
Aurora
Aurora is the Latin word for dawn. This cultivar was called Super Styrian and derived from Northern Brewer. It has a rich green colour, an intense, pleasantly hoppy aroma, and outstandingly good storage stability. The cone hops can be characterised by citrus fruits such as lemon zest and lemongrass. Additionally, herbal notes such as marjoram and fennel play an essential part. Nettle and grassy notes complement the flavour profile of crop 2020.
Aroma Characteristics: Aurora’s appeal lies in its exceptionally spicy notes. Its raw state is characterised by spicy-herbal aromas of lovage, marjoram, lavender and aniseed. Pleasantly rounded off by the fruitiness of lime and mandarin orange and resinous, woody notes of incense.
Key Flavours: Floral, Citrus, Bergamot, Anise, Lemongrass
Analysis Values:
| Growing Area | Slovenia |
| Heritage | Daughter of Northern Brewer |
| Alpha Acids | 7-9% |
| Total Polyphenols | no data |
| Myrcene | 35.0 – 53.0 % Total Oils |
| Beta Acids | 3-5 % |
| Total Oil | 0.9 – 1.4 ml/100 g |
| Linalool | no data |
Ekuanot
Ekuanot is known for distinct grapefruit and orange flavours and distinctive sweet fruit aromas. For the crop of 2019, the determining flavours are strawberry, guava, gooseberry and orange. Some woody, green-grassy and peppery flavours round off the profile. These hops are fruity to the core and reminiscent of an exotic cocktail. Grapefruit, lemongrass and mandarin lend tangy accents to ripe guava, lychee, mango, pineapple and passion fruit. Green fruits, such as gooseberries, apples and grapes, round off the flavour profile.
Like the two very successful hops Citra and Mosaic, Ekuanot (HBC 366) was also bred by the Hop Breeding Company. The name Ekuanot is evocative of “equinox”, the term used for the two days of the year on which day and night have the same number of hours. This hop variety is similar to the equinox because it appears lighter green as a young plant. The older it gets, the darker its green gets – day and night, light (green) and dark (green) are evenly matched.
Analysis Values:
| Growing Area | United States |
| Heritage | no data |
| Alpha Acids | 14.5 – 15.5 % |
| Total | no data |
| Myrcene | 30.0 – 45.0 % Total Oils |
| Beta Acids | 4.5 – 5.5 % |
| Total Oil | 2.5 – 4.5 ml/100 g |
| Linalool | no data |
Riwaka
Riwaka™ Hops are insanely sought after, and we are very lucky to have a small supply to excite you. Very unique aroma hop with powerfully fueled tropical passion fruit character. AA 4-7%.
Riwaka was another hop bred during the development of New Zealand Hops ‘hops with a difference’ programme, this time through crossing ‘Old Line’ Saazer with specially developed New Zealand breeding selections. It was first released by New Zealand’s Plant & Food Hop Research Centre in 1997.
Riwaka gives extreme citrus notes, which is great for ‘hoppy beers’, adding aromas of passionfruit, grapefruit, lemon and tropical fruits. It is a real standout and the powerful grapefruit “citrussy” character is often described as ‘breath-taking’.
Riwaka has an above-average oil balance, almost double that of its Saazer parent. It is often seen as the darling of New Zealand hops and the oil character carries right through to the glass.
A bold hop that makes a statement use it for big styles such as IPA’s and Imperial Pilsners or as a punchy addition to the new world styles of Pales Ale and New Zealand Pilsners.
Aroma Profile: Passionfruit, Grapefruit, Citrus, Tropical Fruit
Analysis Values:
| Country of Origin | New Zealand |
| Alpha Acids | 4.5-6.5% |
| Beta Acids | 4.0-5.0% |
| Total Oil | 1.5ml/100g |