Hop Flavor Profiles

Ohhh hops... glorious hops. How can you not love these wonderful flowers and all the wonderful things they do to beer. The range of flavors and aromas they can lend to a beer is vast and overwhelming.  Every day hop farmers are working on what they hope will be the next big varietal.  It's become almost impossible to stay on top of the many varieties and options but what a problem to have for any homebrewer. So many flavors to play with.

Over the years we have written a few "Hop Profile" articles talking about specific varietals and what they contribute to beer.  This post is meant to be a launch pad to those articles.  As we write about more hops, we will continue to flush out this list. 

007 Golden Hop (AKA Idaho 7) Hop Profile
An experimental hop grown at Jackson Hop Farm, Idaho-7 conforms well with current trends in IPAs. The flavor is complex and juicy, with a strong start of marmalade and apricot, developing into notes of light citrus and a hint of black tea. The delayed bitterness on the finish is waxy, but not overly bitter. Read more about this hop from our Idaho 7 Hops Profile.
Type of Hop: Dual Purpose
Used In: Pale Ale, IPA
Flavors: Orange, Tangerine, Black Tea and Pine
Alpha Acids: 13% - 15%

Citra Hops Profile
The smooth floral and citrus aroma of this hop, along with the high alpha acid content bring strong flavor and aroma to beer featuring Citra. Read more about when and how to use this hop on our Citra Hops Profile.
Type of Hop:Dual Use Hop
Used In: India Pale Ale, American Ales, Amber
Flavors: Citrus, grapefruit, lime, tropical fruits
Alpha Acids: 11% - 15%
Substitutes: Simcoe, Centennial, Cascade, Mosaic

Fuggle Hops Profile
Fuggle Hops are the quintessential English hop. They are a perfect late addition aroma hop to add to any English style beer. To read more about this hop read our full Fuggle Hop Profile.
Type of Hop:an Aroma Hop
Used In: Any English Style Beer, US Ales, Lambics
Flavors: Earthy - wood, grass and mint
Alpha Acids: 3% - 5.6%
Substitutes: Willamette, Styrian Golding

Hallertau is about as recognizable as any, and its noble characteristic of high aromatic qualities, and an Alpha Acid rating of 3.5%-5.5%) makes it a prime candidate for late additions and dry hopping. Read more about this hop by reading our Hallertau Hops Profile.
Type of Hop:an Aroma Hop
Used In: Beglain-Style Ales, Lagers, Pilsners, Weizens, Altbier, Lambic, Kölsch, Munich Helles
Flavors: Earthy, Herbal
Alpha Acids: 3.5% - 6.5%
Substitutes: Mt. Hood, Liberty, Crystal, German Hallertau, German Tradition

Mosaic Hops Profile
Mosaic is the love child of Simcoe and Nugget, created by Select Botanicals of Yakima Valley in Washington. On the nose, Mosaic brings tropical aromas with earthy richness. Flavors include mango, blueberry, stone fruit and earthy pine. But the surprising element is the dry finish with no sweetness. Read more about this hop by reading our Mosaic Hops Profile.
Type of Hop: Aroma Hop
Used In: Pale Ale, IPA, Double IPA
Flavors: Mango, Pine, Citrus and Herbs
Alpha Acids: 11.5% - 13.5%
Substitutes: Citra

Nelson Sauvin Hops Profile
Nelson Sauvin originates in New Zealand and it is named after the sauvignon blanc grape which is used in making white wine. The name is no coincidence as this hop imparts a white wine flavor that many describe as tropical with notes of passion fruit, tangerine, grapefruit and gooseberries.  Read more about this hop by reading our Nelson Sauvin Hops Profile.
Type of Hop: Dual Use Hop
Used in: IPA's, Saison, Wheat Beers
Flavors: White Wine Grape, Crushed Gooseberries, Passionfruit
Alpha Acids: 11% - 13%
Substitutes: None

Vic Secret Hops Profile
Vic Secret is the next big thing out of Australia. This hop brings a clean fruit and pine flavor and is best used in dry-hopping and whirlpooling. Vic Secret's high level of alpha acid (14%-17%)  makes dry-hopping the best way to attain ideal flavor. Find out more about this hop by reading our Vic Secret Hop Profile.
Type of Hop:an Aroma Hop
Used In: Any Hoppy Style
Flavors: Pineapple, Pine, Passionfruit. Similar to what you would find in Galaxy hops but lighter
Alpha Acids: 14% - 17%
Substitutes: Galaxy