Admiral Hops – Whole Leaf 100g

Admiral Whole Leaf Hops

Admiral hops are a UK-developed variety used primarily for bittering in traditional ales and high-gravity beers.

Known for orange, resin, herbal, and spice notes, this hop contributes clean, structured bitterness in whole leaf form.

Use in early or mid-boil additions to build a solid bittering base with subtle late-kettle character.

Admiral Hop Profile

• Origin: United Kingdom
• Alpha Acid: 13–16%
• Beta Acid: 4–6%
• Characteristics: Orange peel, resin, spice, herbal
• Substitutes: Target, Challenger, Northdown
• Use: Bittering, Whirlpool, Dual-Purpose

Admiral Hop Flavour

Admiral brings clean bitterness upfront, with hints of orange peel and earthy spice surfacing in the later stages of the boil.

While primarily used for bittering, it adds a subtle herbal depth when used in the whirlpool.

Beer Styles for Admiral Hops

Admiral works well in malt-forward British styles where firm bitterness and restrained citrus-herbal character are welcome.

• English Bitter: Clean, balanced bitterness that supports traditional malt profiles.
• British IPA: Holds up to rich malt and brings classic resinous edge.
• Porter: Adds dryness and structure beneath roasted malts.
• Strong Ale: Effective bittering backbone without overwhelming flavour.
• UK Barleywine: Offers stability and light citrus nuance in higher ABV brews.

Admiral Hop Substitutes

Admiral hops can be substituted with other UK-grown varieties such as Target, Challenger, or Northdown.

• Target: Offers firm bittering with pine and citrus character; slightly sharper than Admiral.
• Challenger: A softer option with lower alpha acids and floral-earthy aroma.
• Northdown: Known for a milder aroma, with subtle notes of berries and spice.

Admiral Hop Pairings

Pairs well with hops like Challenger, East Kent Goldings, and Fuggle for classic English-style hop layering.

• Challenger: Smooths out bitterness and adds a floral layer.
• East Kent Goldings: Introduces sweet herbal tones and light floral aroma.
• Fuggle: Enhances earthy complexity and softens the finish.

Brewer’s Tip

Admiral is a great choice when you want bitterness that holds firm without dominating the brew.

It’s especially useful in high-ABV styles where hop structure needs to stay intact from start to finish.

Consider using it as your sole bittering addition, then layer in a lighter aroma hop if you want more dimension late in the boil.