With over 100 hop varieties available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. This guide cuts through the noise and tells you what each variety actually tastes like, what styles it suits, and when to use it. Whether you're building a recipe from scratch, upgrading a beer kit, or just curious about the difference between Citra and Cascade, this is the reference you need.
All varieties listed here are available from our Hops collection, sourced from Charles Faram — one of the UK's most respected hop merchants. Pellets and whole leaf are available for most popular varieties in 100g packs.
How to Use This Guide
Hops are used at different points in the brewing process, and the timing affects what they contribute:
- Bittering (60+ minutes boil) — contributes bitterness only. Aroma compounds are driven off by heat. Use high-alpha, clean varieties here.
- Flavour/late additions (10–15 minutes) — contributes both flavour and some aroma. Most varieties work well here.
- Dry hopping (added to fermenter, no heat) — contributes aroma only, no bitterness. Use high-oil, aromatic varieties for best results.
- Dual purpose — varieties that work well at multiple addition points.
Many varieties are described as "dual purpose" — they have enough alpha acid for bittering but also enough oil content to contribute flavour and aroma at later additions. Cascade, Mosaic, and Citra are classic examples.
British Hop Varieties
British hops are the foundation of traditional ales, bitters, porters, and milds. They tend towards earthy, floral, herbal, and spicy characters rather than the bold fruit of American or New World varieties. Most are well suited to bittering and late additions; some are excellent for dry hopping traditional styles.
East Kent Goldings (also whole leaf)
The definitive English hop. Smooth, floral, and gently spicy with a soft, rounded bitterness. The classic choice for traditional English pale ales, ESBs, and bitters. Also excellent for dry hopping British styles — it adds a delicate floral note without dominating. Alpha: ~5–6%.
Goldings (also whole leaf)
Similar character to EKG — floral, earthy, and smooth — but grown more widely. A reliable all-rounder for British ales. Interchangeable with EKG in most recipes. Alpha: ~4–6%.
Whitbread Golding Variety (WGV)
A traditional English variety with a similar profile to Goldings — earthy, floral, and slightly spicy. Used in classic British ales and bitters. Alpha: ~5–6%.
Fuggles (also whole leaf)
One of the great English classics alongside Goldings. Earthy, woody, and gently herbal with a soft bitterness. Excellent in bitters, milds, porters, and stouts. Often used alongside Goldings for a traditional British hop character. Alpha: ~3–5%.
Challenger (also whole leaf)
A dual-purpose British hop with clean, slightly spicy bitterness and a hint of cedar and green tea. Works well as a bittering hop in pale ales and bitters, and holds up at late additions. Alpha: ~6–8%.
Northdown (also whole leaf)
Clean bitterness with mild herbal and floral notes. A solid bittering hop for British ales and lagers. Alpha: ~7–9%.
Target (also whole leaf)
High-alpha British bittering hop. Clean, slightly citrusy bitterness. Widely used in British commercial brewing. Efficient and reliable — a good choice when you want clean bitterness without flavour contribution. Alpha: ~9–12%.
Admiral (also whole leaf)
High-alpha British variety with a clean, slightly citrusy and herbal bitterness. Good for bittering pale ales and IPAs. Alpha: ~13–16%.
First Gold (also whole leaf)
A dwarf variety with a pleasant floral and slightly spicy character. Dual purpose — works at bittering and late additions. Good in golden ales and bitters. Alpha: ~6–8%.
Bramling Cross (also whole leaf)
Distinctive blackcurrant, spice, and lemon character. Interesting in dark ales, winter beers, and anything where you want a more unusual British hop note. Alpha: ~5–7%.
Northern Brewer (also whole leaf)
Clean, neutral bittering hop used in both British ales and lagers. Minimal flavour contribution — a good choice when you want bitterness without character. Alpha: ~8–10%.
Phoenix
Earthy and slightly spicy with good bittering potential. A useful British dual-purpose variety. Alpha: ~9–12%.
Progress
Mild, floral, and slightly sweet. A traditional British variety suited to bitters and golden ales. Alpha: ~5–7%.
Pilgrim
Spicy and fruity with a hint of pear. A modern British variety that works well in pale ales and bitters. Alpha: ~9–11%.
Boadicea
A dwarf British variety with a clean, floral, and slightly spicy character. Good in golden ales and bitters. Alpha: ~7–9%.
Brewer's Gold
An older British variety with a fruity, slightly spicy character. Used in traditional ales and as a bittering hop. Alpha: ~5–8%.
Charles Faram UK Varieties
Charles Faram breed and develop their own UK varieties, some exclusive to their range. These modern British hops bridge traditional character with contemporary fruit-forward profiles.
Olicana
Tropical fruit and citrus with an earthy British backbone. A modern UK variety that works in both traditional and contemporary styles. Excellent for late additions and dry hopping in modern pale ales. Alpha: ~6–8%.
Harlequin
Stone fruit, tropical, and floral. Complex and layered. A versatile modern Charles Faram variety that works well at late additions and dry hopping. Alpha: ~8–10%.
Krush
Citrus and tropical fruit with a clean finish. A newer UK variety suited to modern pale ales and IPAs. Alpha: ~9–11%.
Jester
Tropical fruit, grapefruit, and a hint of blackcurrant. A modern British variety with a bold, contemporary character. Good for late additions and dry hopping in pale ales and IPAs. Alpha: ~7–9%.
American Hop Varieties
American varieties drove the craft beer revolution and remain the dominant choice for IPAs, pale ales, and anything with bold citrus or tropical fruit character. Most are dual purpose or aroma-focused.
Cascade (also whole leaf)
The hop that started American craft brewing. Grapefruit, citrus, and floral. Brilliant in American pale ales and session IPAs. One of the most popular hops in home brewing worldwide. A great first hop to experiment with — approachable, versatile, and forgiving. Alpha: ~5–7%.
Citra (also whole leaf)
Intensely citrusy with lime, tropical fruit, and passion fruit. The most popular dry hop variety in modern craft brewing. Exceptional for late additions and dry hopping in IPAs and NEIPAs. Use with some restraint — it's powerful and can dominate a recipe. Alpha: ~11–13%.
Mosaic (also whole leaf)
Complex and layered: blueberry, tropical fruit, earth, and pine. One of the most versatile modern American varieties. Works at every addition point — bittering, flavour, and dry hopping. Pairs brilliantly with Citra. Alpha: ~11–13%.
Amarillo (also whole leaf)
Orange, grapefruit, and apricot. Softer and more rounded than Citra. Excellent for late additions and dry hopping. Pairs well with Citra and Mosaic. Alpha: ~8–11%.
Centennial (also whole leaf)
Floral and citrusy with solid bitterness. Often called "Super Cascade". A classic American dual-purpose hop that works well at bittering and late additions. Alpha: ~9–11%.
Chinook (also whole leaf)
Pine, spice, and grapefruit with a robust, assertive bitterness. A high-alpha dual-purpose variety popular in American IPAs and pale ales. The pine and resin character is distinctive. Alpha: ~12–14%.
Simcoe (also whole leaf)
Pine, passion fruit, and earthy citrus. A high-alpha dual-purpose variety with a complex, resinous character. Widely used in West Coast IPAs and double IPAs. Alpha: ~12–14%.
Columbus (also whole leaf)
Bold, resinous, and earthy with a strong bitterness. A high-alpha bittering hop also used for flavour in West Coast IPAs. Sometimes called CTZ (Columbus/Tomahawk/Zeus). Alpha: ~14–16%.
Magnum (also whole leaf, Hallertau Magnum pellets)
Clean, neutral high-alpha bittering hop. Widely used as a clean bittering addition in recipes where you don't want the bittering hop to contribute flavour. Reliable and efficient. Alpha: ~12–14%.
Summit (also whole leaf)
Very high alpha with a distinctive tangerine and citrus character. Can be used for bittering or late additions. Alpha: ~17–19%.
Azacca
Mango, citrus, and tropical fruit. Bold and juicy. Great for late additions and dry hopping in IPAs and pale ales. Alpha: ~14–16%.
El Dorado
Watermelon, pear, and stone fruit. Distinctive and sweet-fruited. Interesting in hazy and fruit-forward IPAs. Alpha: ~14–16%.
Ekuanot
Lime, melon, and berry. A modern American variety with a complex, layered fruit character. Good for late additions and dry hopping. Alpha: ~13–15%.
Idaho 7
Tropical fruit, stone fruit, and a hint of pine resin. A bold, modern American variety well suited to IPAs and NEIPAs. Alpha: ~13–15%.
Sabro
Coconut, tangerine, and stone fruit. Unusual and distinctive. Works well in hazy IPAs and pale ales where you want something different. Alpha: ~12–14%.
Cashmere
Lemon, lime, and melon with a smooth, creamy character. A modern American variety suited to pale ales and session IPAs. Alpha: ~7–9%.
Calypso
Apple, pear, and stone fruit with a floral note. A dual-purpose American variety with a distinctive, fruit-forward character. Alpha: ~12–14%.
Ahtanum (also whole leaf)
Floral, citrus, and earthy. Similar to Cascade but with more floral character. Good for late additions in pale ales. Alpha: ~5–6%.
Willamette (also whole leaf)
Floral, herbal, and slightly fruity. The American equivalent of Fuggles — a good choice for American amber ales and porters. Alpha: ~4–6%.
Mount Hood
Clean, herbal, and slightly spicy. An American noble-style hop suited to lagers and wheat beers. Alpha: ~4–6%.
European Hop Varieties
European noble and near-noble varieties are the foundation of lagers, pilsners, wheat beers, and many classic continental styles. They tend to be low in alpha acid and high in delicate aroma compounds.
Saaz (also whole leaf)
The defining hop of Czech pilsner. Delicate, spicy, and herbal with very low bitterness. Essential for authentic Bohemian lagers. Use late in the boil to preserve the delicate aroma. Alpha: ~3–4%.
Hallertauer Mittelfrüh (also whole leaf)
The classic German noble hop. Mild, floral, and herbal. Used in German lagers, weissbiers, and Märzen. One of the four traditional noble hops. Alpha: ~3–4%.
Hallertauer Hersbrucker (also whole leaf)
Similar to Mittelfrüh but slightly more herbal and fruity. A reliable German lager hop. Alpha: ~2–4%.
Tettnanger
Spicy, herbal, and floral. One of the four noble hops, grown in the Tettnang region of Germany. Used in German lagers, wheat beers, and Kölsch. Alpha: ~3–5%.
Strisselspalt
The traditional French Alsace hop. Delicate herbal and floral character with a hint of spice. Used in French and Belgian styles. Alpha: ~2–3%.
Barbe Rouge
A modern French variety with a distinctive red fruit and raspberry character. Unusual and interesting in saisons, wheat beers, and fruit-forward ales. Alpha: ~8–10%.
Perle
Clean, slightly minty and herbal. A German dual-purpose hop used in lagers and wheat beers. Alpha: ~7–9%.
Hallertau Blanc
A modern German variety with a distinctive white wine, gooseberry, and passion fruit character. Interesting in wheat beers, saisons, and modern lagers. Alpha: ~9–11%.
Mandarina Bavaria
A modern German variety with a distinctive tangerine and citrus character. Interesting in wheat beers and modern lagers. Alpha: ~8–10%.
Huell Melon
Honeydew melon, strawberry, and a hint of vanilla. A modern German variety with a delicate, fruit-forward character. Good for late additions in wheat beers and pale ales. Alpha: ~6–8%.
Slovenian Hop Varieties
Celeia (Styrian Goldings)
Slovenian-grown, Goldings-derived. Earthy, floral, and smooth. Excellent in British and continental ales. A reliable, versatile variety. Alpha: ~4–6%.
Styrian Goldings
Similar to Celeia — earthy, floral, and smooth. Widely used in British and continental ales. Alpha: ~4–6%.
Styrian Wolf
A modern Slovenian variety with a bold tropical fruit and citrus character. More contemporary than traditional Styrian varieties. Alpha: ~12–14%.
Styrian Fox
Stone fruit and citrus with a clean finish. A newer Slovenian variety suited to modern pale ales and IPAs. Alpha: ~10–12%.
Aurora (Super Styrians)
Floral, spicy, and slightly fruity. A Slovenian variety with a pleasant, rounded character. Good in continental lagers and ales. Alpha: ~7–9%.
New Zealand Hop Varieties
New Zealand varieties have become increasingly popular for their distinctive tropical, stone fruit, and white wine characters. Many are exclusive to NZ and have a unique flavour profile not found in other origins.
Nectaron®
Intensely tropical: pineapple, peach, and passion fruit. A New Zealand variety that's become a favourite for hazy IPAs and NEIPAs. One of the most exciting modern varieties available. Alpha: ~10–12%.
Nelson Sauvin (also whole leaf)
White wine, gooseberry, and tropical fruit. Named for its Sauvignon Blanc-like character. Distinctive and polarising — used in pale ales, IPAs, and saisons where you want something unusual. Alpha: ~12–14%.
Moutere
Bold tropical fruit, citrus, and pine. A high-alpha NZ variety with a complex, layered character. Good for bittering and late additions in IPAs. Alpha: ~16–18%.
Wai-iti
Lime, peach, and apricot. A delicate, fruit-forward NZ variety. Good for late additions and dry hopping in pale ales and session IPAs. Alpha: ~2–3%.
Wakatu
Floral, lime, and fresh herb. A NZ variety with a delicate, aromatic character. Good in wheat beers, pale ales, and lagers. Alpha: ~6–8%.
Motueka (also whole leaf)
Tropical fruit and lemon with a clean, refreshing character. A versatile NZ variety that works well in pale ales, lagers, and wheat beers. Alpha: ~6–8%.
Rakau
Stone fruit, tropical, and pine resin. A high-alpha NZ dual-purpose variety. Good for bittering and late additions in IPAs and pale ales. Alpha: ~10–12%.
Pacific Gem (also whole leaf)
Blackberry, oak, and a hint of floral. A high-alpha NZ variety with a distinctive dark fruit character. Good for bittering in dark ales and stouts. Alpha: ~13–15%.
Green Bullet
Resinous and spicy with a hint of tropical fruit. A high-alpha NZ variety used for bittering in lagers and ales. Alpha: ~11–13%.
Dr Rudi
Pine, herbal, and slightly citrusy. A NZ variety with a clean, resinous character. Good for bittering and late additions. Alpha: ~11–13%.
Pacifica
Floral, citrus, and a hint of marmalade. A NZ variety with a pleasant, rounded character. Good in pale ales and wheat beers. Alpha: ~5–6%.
Australian Hop Varieties
Galaxy
Passion fruit, citrus, and peach. One of the most popular Australian hops and a favourite for dry hopping IPAs and pale ales. Exceptional aroma with high oil content. Alpha: ~13–15%.
Vic Secret
Pine, passion fruit, and tropical fruit. An Australian variety with bold, resinous character. Good for late additions and dry hopping in IPAs. Alpha: ~14–16%.
Mangrove Jack's Flavour Descriptor Range
If you're new to hops and find variety names confusing, the Mangrove Jack's range takes a different approach — each 50g sachet is labelled by flavour profile rather than variety name. A practical option for kit upgrades and first-time hop additions.
- H1 Citrus
- H2 Tropical
- H3 West Coast
- H4 Stone Fruit
- H5 Pacific
- H6 Fruity
- H7 Zesty
- H8 Floral
- H9 Herbal
- H10 Earthy
Quick Reference: Hops by Style
Traditional British Bitter / ESB
East Kent Goldings, Fuggles, Goldings, Challenger, First Gold, Progress, WGV
American Pale Ale
Cascade, Centennial, Amarillo, Citra (late/dry hop), Mosaic (late/dry hop)
West Coast IPA
Chinook or Columbus (bittering), Simcoe, Centennial, Cascade, Amarillo (flavour/dry hop)
Hazy NEIPA
Citra, Mosaic, Galaxy, Nectaron®, El Dorado, Azacca, Idaho 7 (late additions and dry hop)
Czech / Bohemian Pilsner
Saaz (throughout)
German Lager / Helles / Märzen
Hallertauer Mittelfrüh, Hallertauer Hersbrucker, Tettnanger, Perle
Wheat Beer / Weissbier
Hallertauer Mittelfrüh, Tettnanger, Huell Melon, Mandarina Bavaria, Hallertau Blanc
Porter / Stout
Fuggles, East Kent Goldings, Bramling Cross, Northern Brewer, Pacific Gem (bittering)
Modern British Pale Ale
Olicana, Harlequin, Jester, Krush, First Gold
Saison / Belgian
Strisselspalt, Barbe Rouge, Nelson Sauvin, Hallertau Blanc
Shop All Hops
Browse the full range in our Hops collection — all sourced from Charles Faram in 100g packs, with whole leaf available for most popular varieties. For dry hopping, our Stainless Steel Dry Hopper makes the process cleaner and easier. For guidance on how to use hops in your brew, see our guide to dry hopping at home.