Pilgrim Hops – Whole Leaf 100g
Pilgrim Whole Leaf Hops
Pilgrim hops are a modern UK-grown dual-purpose variety developed at Wye College.
Known for their clean bitterness and balanced aroma, they’ve become a flexible option for both base and finishing hop use in traditional and stronger ales.
Whole leaf Pilgrim offers a mix of earthy spice, subtle citrus, and light floral tones.
Their alpha content is high for a UK hop, making them suitable for bittering without harshness.
Use in early boil additions for clean structure, or later for a round, subtle aroma in malt-forward beers.
Pilgrim Hop Profile
- Origin: United Kingdom
- Alpha Acid: 9–13%
- Beta Acid: 3–5%
- Characteristics: Earthy, floral, mild citrus, spice
- Substitutes: Target, Challenger, Northdown
- Use: Dual-purpose – bittering and aroma
Pilgrim Hop Flavour
Pilgrim hops contribute a clean, structured bitterness with an aroma that blends earthy spice, faint citrus peel, and soft floral notes.
They’re balanced and unobtrusive — ideal in beers where hops need to support rather than dominate the malt bill.
Beer Styles for Pilgrim Hops
Pilgrim fits best in classic and stronger British styles where balanced bitterness and subtle aroma are preferred.
- English Bitter: Provides clean structure and gentle earthy hop flavour.
- Strong Ale: Handles higher gravity without overwhelming the malt.
- Mild: Contributes spice and structure without sharp edges.
- Porter: Adds low-key bitterness and soft aroma to roast-forward recipes.
- Stout: Blends smoothly with darker malt character while keeping hop presence steady.
Pilgrim Hop Substitutes
Pilgrim hops can be substituted with UK varieties such as Target, Challenger, or Northdown, depending on whether you're after bitterness or aroma balance.
- Target: Delivers firm bitterness and more pronounced spice for a bolder profile.
- Challenger: Softer and more floral, with similar alpha acids and clean character.
- Northdown: A touch fruitier, but comparable in bittering and earthy undertones.
Pilgrim Hop Pairings
Pairs well with East Kent Goldings, Fuggle, and First Gold in layered British-style blends where bitterness, aroma, and depth need to be balanced.
- East Kent Goldings: Adds soft floral sweetness and light honey aroma.
- Fuggle: Rounds out Pilgrim’s bitterness with earthiness and a mellow finish.
- First Gold: Brings zesty citrus and spice to lift Pilgrim’s base character.
Brewer’s Tip
Pilgrim is a handy base bittering hop for UK-style ales — but try it late in the boil or as a single hop in a Best Bitter to let its subtle spice and citrus show.
It’s one of the more assertive UK hops without ever feeling harsh.
