Willamette Hops – Whole Leaf 100g

Willamette Whole Leaf Hops

Willamette hops are a US-grown aroma variety developed from English Fuggle.

They’re known for their soft floral aroma, low bitterness, and smooth herbal profile.

Whole leaf Willamette offers gentle notes of earth, spice, and sweet florals, making it a go-to for traditional ale styles that need balance rather than bite.

Best used in late boil or whirlpool additions to round out malt flavour with subtle hop complexity.

Willamette Hop Profile

• Origin: United States
• Alpha Acid: 4–6%
• Beta Acid: 3–4.5%
• Characteristics: Floral, earthy, mild spice, sweet herb
• Substitutes: Fuggle, Styrian Goldings, Glacier
• Use: Aroma, late boil, whirlpool

Willamette Hop Flavour

Willamette brings a rounded aroma with soft floral tones, a touch of spice, and gentle earthiness.

It’s less assertive than Fuggle, with a cleaner finish and a subtle sweetness that complements malt-forward styles.

Beer Styles for Willamette Hops

Willamette fits best in traditional American and British-inspired ales where hop character should support, not dominate.

• Brown Ale: Adds mellow aroma to balance roasted and nutty malts.
• Porter: Enhances smooth chocolate and coffee notes with soft spice.
• Pale Ale: Works well in low-bitterness recipes with a classic profile.
• Amber Ale: Provides gentle herbal-floral depth to balance caramel malt.
• English Bitter: A smoother substitute for Fuggle, with similar purpose.

Willamette Hop Substitutes

Willamette hops can be substituted with other low-alpha aroma varieties like Fuggle, Styrian Goldings, or Glacier.

• Fuggle: Earthier and more rustic, but close in aroma and usage.
• Styrian Goldings: A slightly softer, floral version with less bitterness.
• Glacier: More modern, with similar floral-herbal tones and smooth finish.

Willamette Hop Pairings

Pairs well with Centennial, East Kent Goldings, and Cascade to build layered profiles in balanced or traditional ales.

• Centennial: Adds citrus brightness to contrast Willamette’s mellow tone.
• East Kent Goldings: Boosts floral and earthy depth with classic UK character.
• Cascade: Introduces soft grapefruit and floral lift to old-school blends.

Brewer’s Tip

Willamette is ideal when you want a subtle hop touch that complements but never overpowers.

Use it to soften aggressive bittering hops or blend with UK-style varieties in malt-forward recipes like porters, milds, or browns.