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Types of hops: a guide to the varieties

Aroma and bittering hops, the noble hops, British, German, American and New Zealand hops, and 28 varieties with their alpha acids, aromas and the alcohol-free beers that use them.

By Rich, founder of Unhopped · Published 6 November 2026 · Sources checked 6 November 2026

The short answer

Brewers sort hops in three main ways. By alpha acid: low-alpha aroma hops at about 2.5–6%, and high-alpha bittering hops at about 10–15%.[1] By heritage: four old European landraces are called “noble”, Hallertauer Mittelfrüh, Tettnanger, Spalt and Saaz.[2] By where they’re grown: British hops such as Fuggle and East Kent Goldings, German and Czech hops such as Hallertauer and Saaz, American hops such as Cascade, Citra and Mosaic, and New Zealand and Australian hops such as Nelson Sauvin and Galaxy. Each variety has its own aroma: Citra’s supplier lists “mango, grapefruit flesh, lime zest”, Fuggle’s “potting soil, tobacco, floral, spearmint”.[3] Below we compare 28 of them, with the alcohol-free beers in our directory that use each one.

Below: aroma vs bittering hops, the noble hops, hops by country, a table of 28 varieties with their alpha acids and aromas, the hops alcohol-free brewers use most, and the forms hops come in. New to hops? Start with what are hops?

Aroma hops and bittering hops

Alpha acids are “the main bittering agent in hops”, and varieties “are often grouped into four categories based on their alpha acid content”. At the ends: “low-alpha aroma varieties with alpha acid levels of perhaps 2.5%–6%” and “high-alpha bittering varieties with alpha acid levels of perhaps 10%–15%”.[1] A bittering hop gives more bitterness per kilo in the boil; an aroma hop is prized for its oils. Bitterness quality differs too: “brewers believe iso-cohumulone contributes a rougher, harsher quality of bitterness”, and “Traditional aroma hops tend to be low in cohumulone, whereas some bittering varieties have higher levels.”[4]

The lines have blurred. Some modern hops are high in alpha acid and still prized for aroma: Citra is “known for its high alpha-acid and total-oil content” and “has become a cornerstone of aroma varieties for all brewers”, its supplier says.[5]

Alpha acids, variety by varietyThe alpha acid range of each hop: the main source of bitterness. Traditional European aroma hops sit low; many New World hops are high.

British, Czech and GermanAmerican, New Zealand and Australian

British, Czech and German

Saaz
Tettnanger
Hallertauer Mittelfrüh
Fuggle
East Kent Goldings
Hallertauer Tradition
Perle
Challenger
First Gold
Hallertauer Magnum
Herkules
Admiral

American, New Zealand and Australian

Cascade
Motueka
Amarillo
Centennial
Citra
Mosaic
Nelson Sauvin
Chinook
Simcoe
Sabro
Idaho 7
El Dorado
Galaxy
Azacca
Columbus
Vic Secret

The Oxford Companion to Beer puts low-alpha aroma varieties at “perhaps 2.5%–6%” and high-alpha bittering varieties at “perhaps 10%–15%”.

Sources: John I. Haas, Hops Companion (2022);[3] British Hop Association (First Gold, Admiral);[6] Oxford Companion to Beer.[1]

Show as a table
Alpha acids, variety by variety
VarietyFamilyAlpha acids
SaazBritish, Czech and German2.5–4.5%
TettnangerBritish, Czech and German2.5–5.5%
Hallertauer MittelfrühBritish, Czech and German3–5.5%
FuggleBritish, Czech and German3.5–6.5%
East Kent GoldingsBritish, Czech and German4–6%
Hallertauer TraditionBritish, Czech and German4–7%
PerleBritish, Czech and German4–9%
ChallengerBritish, Czech and German6.5–9%
First GoldBritish, Czech and German6.5–10%
Hallertauer MagnumBritish, Czech and German11–16%
HerkulesBritish, Czech and German12–17%
AdmiralBritish, Czech and German13–16%
CascadeAmerican, New Zealand and Australian4.5–7%
MotuekaAmerican, New Zealand and Australian6.5–7.5%
AmarilloAmerican, New Zealand and Australian8–11%
CentennialAmerican, New Zealand and Australian9.5–11.5%
CitraAmerican, New Zealand and Australian11–13%
MosaicAmerican, New Zealand and Australian11.5–13.5%
Nelson SauvinAmerican, New Zealand and Australian12–13%
ChinookAmerican, New Zealand and Australian12–14%
SimcoeAmerican, New Zealand and Australian12–15.5%
SabroAmerican, New Zealand and Australian12–16%
Idaho 7American, New Zealand and Australian13–15%
El DoradoAmerican, New Zealand and Australian13–17%
GalaxyAmerican, New Zealand and Australian13–18.5%
AzaccaAmerican, New Zealand and Australian14–16%
ColumbusAmerican, New Zealand and Australian15–17%
Vic SecretAmerican, New Zealand and Australian15.1–21.8%

What are noble hops?

“‘Noble’ hops is a historical and commercial term, which is somewhat arbitrarily assigned to four distinct hop landraces”: Hallertauer Mittelfrüh, from the Hallertau region of Bavaria; Tettnanger, from Tettnang near Lake Constance; Spalt, from south of Nuremberg; and Saaz, from the Žatec region of the Czech Republic. They’re “revered for their pleasing aroma profile and gentle bitterness, with alpha acid to beta acid ratios of 1:1”, but “they are notoriously low yielding and highly disease prone.” Their influence runs deep: “Many hop varieties released in the past century can trace their lineage to at least one of these nobles.”[2]

Of the noble hops, Saaz is the one alcohol-free brewers in our directory name most, in 6 beers, such as Mash Gang Siege Perilous Lager. For the pale lagers of Germany and Czechia, see pilsner vs lager and what is helles?

Hops by country

British. “British Hop aromas are delicate, complex and some have a significant intensity,” says the British Hop Association, which lists 34 British varieties.[6] The classics are Fuggle and East Kent Goldings, both low in alpha acid; Challenger was “developed at Wye College from a cross made in 1963”.[3] The best bitter guidelines note that “English finishing hops are most traditional, but any hops are fair game”.[7] Some British varieties are fruity: Harlequin (“passionfruit, peach, pineapple”) and Olicana (“mango, grapefruit, passionfruit”).[6]

German and Czech. Germany grows more hops than any other country: 18,962 hectares in 2025.[8] Its classics are the Hallertauer and Tettnanger noble hops, with Saaz across the border in Czechia. Germany’s Hüll research centre bred Hallertauer Magnum (1980), Hallertauer Tradition (1993) and the high-alpha Herkules (2006).[3] The German pils guidelines simply ask for “Traditional German hops”.[9]

American. The USA is the second-biggest grower, with 17,057 hectares in 2025.[8] Its varieties include Cascade (released by the USDA and Oregon State University in 1972), Chinook (1985), Centennial (1990), Simcoe (2000), and the Hop Breeding Company’s Citra, Mosaic (2012) and Sabro (2018).[3] An American pale ale’s “clean hop presence can reflect classic or modern American or New World hop varieties”.[10]

New Zealand and Australian. Nelson Sauvin, from New Zealand’s HortResearch programme in 2000, is known for “white wine, gooseberry”; Australia’s Galaxy, sold from 2009, for “passion fruit, peach, complex citrus”.[3]

Where the hops in alcohol-free beer come fromMentions of the 28 varieties in our table across the 94 beers whose hops we’ve checked, by the hop’s home country.
USA
Germany
New Zealand
Czechia
Australia
UK

A beer with three hops counts three times. Hops outside our table aren’t counted.

Source: Unhopped’s directory.

Show as a table
Where the hops in alcohol-free beer come from
CountryMentionsDetails
USA142142 mentions of USA hops
Germany1818 mentions of Germany hops
New Zealand1313 mentions of New Zealand hops
Czechia66 mentions of Czechia hops
Australia33 mentions of Australia hops
UK22 mentions of UK hops

28 hop varieties compared

The alpha acid range and aroma notes for each, from the suppliers’ own data, with how many alcohol-free beers in our directory use it. Bitterness also depends on when the hop goes in: see when brewers add hops.

28 hop varieties, from the growers’ and suppliers’ data. Alpha acid is the main source of bitterness; aroma notes are as the source writes them. “In our directory”: how many of the 94 beers whose hops we’ve checked use it, with the top-scoring one.
Variety (bred or released by)FromAlpha acidsAroma, in the supplier’s wordsIn our directory
FuggleUK3.5–6.5%Potting soil, tobacco, floral, spearmint[3]—
East Kent GoldingsUK4–6%Citrus, artichoke, gingerbread, woodruff[3]—
ChallengerWye College; crossed 1963, released 1971UK6.5–9%Banana, eucalyptus, vanilla, cognac[3]—
First GoldUK6.5–10%Orange, marmalade, spicy[6]1: e.g. Below Brew Co Brune DMC
AdmiralUK13–16%Resinous, orangey, citrus[6]1: e.g. Drop Bear Peach Cut Lager
SaazA landrace from ŽatecCzechia2.5–4.5%Bergamot, honey, woody, chamomile tea, spicy[3]6: e.g. Mash Gang Siege Perilous Lager
Hallertauer MittelfrühA landrace from the HallertauGermany3–5.5%Sage, rosemary, lavender, pine[3]4: e.g. Below Brew Co Heaven & Helles
TettnangerFrom the Lake Constance regionGermany2.5–5.5%Lily of the valley, cognac, chocolate, bergamot[3]2: e.g. Below Brew Co Heaven & Helles
Hallertauer TraditionHüll Research Center, 1993Germany4–7%Apricot, peach, cassis, orange[3]3: e.g. Drop Bear Peach Cut Lager
PerleReleased 1978Germany4–9%Marjoram, peppermint, lime, pear[3]4: e.g. Below Brew Co Forgot To Take My Pils
Hallertauer MagnumHüll Hop Research Center, 1980Germany11–16%Lemon, green pepper, spearmint, apple[3]4: e.g. Big Drop Pine Trail Pale Ale
HerkulesHüll Hop Research Center, 2006Germany12–17%Orange, lemongrass, honeydew melon, lemon balm, peppermint[3]1: e.g. Days Pale Ale
CascadeUSDA and Oregon State University, 1972USA4.5–7%Floral, grapefruit, pine resin[3]8: e.g. Big Drop Paradiso Citra IPA
AmarilloVirgil Gamache FarmsUSA8–11%Tangerine, lemon, apricot, melon, wild flowers[3]8: e.g. Athletic Brewing Free Wave Hazy IPA
CentennialUSDA and Washington State University, 1990USA9.5–11.5%Orange, lime, cherry, pine resin, orange blossom[3]4: e.g. Jump Ship Jackstaff IPA
CitraHop Breeding CompanyUSA11–13%Mango, grapefruit flesh, lime zest[3]41: e.g. Northern Monk Faith Alcohol Free
MosaicHop Breeding Company, 2012USA11.5–13.5%Tangerine, lime, peach, passion fruit, blueberry[3]33: e.g. Athletic Brewing Free Wave Hazy IPA
ChinookUSDA, Washington State, 1985USA12–14%Grapefruit, apricot, pine resin, juniper[3]4: e.g. Big Drop Poolside DDH IPA
SimcoeYakima Chief Ranches, 2000USA12–15.5%Grapefruit, stone fruit, passion fruit, bubblegum, earth, pine[3]16: e.g. Brulo Lust for Life DDH IPA
SabroHop Breeding Company, 2018USA12–16%Tangerine, tropical fruit, stone fruit, coconut[3]6: e.g. Below Brew Co Ohana
Idaho 7Jackson Hop Farm, 2015USA13–15%Guava, apricot, pine resin, lemon, orange pith[3]3: e.g. Mash Gang x Siren Out of Nowhere Pilsner
El DoradoCLS Farms, 2010USA13–17%Mandarin, pear, apricot, watermelon, wintergreen[3]7: e.g. Northern Monk Faith Alcohol Free
AzaccaADHA, YakimaUSA14–16%Ripe mango, papaya, pineapple, Valencia orange, grapefruit, pine resin, fresh grass[3]7: e.g. Big Drop Poolside DDH IPA
ColumbusUSA15–17%Lemon, black pepper, green onion, mango[3]5: e.g. Brulo Cascadian Tides Stout
MotuekaPlant and Food ResearchNew Zealand6.5–7.5%Lime zest, mojito, lemongrass, stone fruit nectar, banana, basil[3]6: e.g. Big Drop Poolside DDH IPA
Nelson SauvinHortResearch, 2000New Zealand12–13%White wine, gooseberry, grapefruit, mango, lychee, melon[3]7: e.g. Mash Gang x Siren Out of Nowhere Pilsner
GalaxyHop Products Australia; created 1994, sold from 2009Australia13–18.5%Passion fruit, peach, complex citrus[3]2: e.g. Fierce Fancy Juice Hazy IPA 0.5
Vic SecretHop Products Australia; bred 2000, sold from 2013Australia15.1–21.8%Passion fruit, pineapple, pine, ginger[3]1: e.g. Basqueland Hero Hazy IPA

Most rows are from John I. Haas’s Hops Companion (4th edition, 2022); First Gold and Admiral are from the British Hop Association. Haas gives no breeder or year for some varieties. We count a beer’s hops only where the brewer names them on a page we’ve checked, or the beer’s description on Unhopped does. Hops we haven’t confirmed aren’t counted.

What hops smell likeSeven aroma families, grouped from the suppliers’ own descriptions. Each tile names an alcohol-free beer in our directory that uses one of its hops.
CitrusCitra: “mango, grapefruit flesh, lime zest”. Amarillo: “tangerine, lemon, apricot”. Centennial: “orange, lime, cherry”.Try Citra in: Northern Monk Faith Alcohol Free
Tropical fruitGalaxy: “passion fruit, peach”. Azacca: “ripe mango, papaya, pineapple”. Vic Secret: “passion fruit, pineapple”.Try Galaxy in: Fierce Fancy Juice Hazy IPA 0.5
Stone fruit and berriesMosaic: “tangerine, lime, peach, passion fruit, blueberry”. Hallertauer Tradition: “apricot, peach, cassis”.Try Mosaic in: Athletic Brewing Free Wave Hazy IPA
Pine and resinSimcoe: “grapefruit, stone fruit … earth, pine”. Chinook: “grapefruit, apricot, pine resin, juniper”.Try Simcoe in: Brulo Lust for Life DDH IPA
White wineNelson Sauvin: “white wine, gooseberry, grapefruit, mango, lychee, melon”.Try Nelson Sauvin in: Mash Gang x Siren Out of Nowhere Pilsner
Herbal and spicySaaz: “bergamot, honey, woody, chamomile tea, spicy”. Hallertauer Mittelfrüh: “sage, rosemary, lavender, pine”.Try Saaz in: Mash Gang Siege Perilous Lager
Earthy and floralFuggle: “potting soil, tobacco, floral, spearmint”. Tettnanger: “lily of the valley, cognac, chocolate, bergamot”.Try Tettnanger in: Below Brew Co Heaven & Helles

Sources: John I. Haas, Hops Companion (2022).[3] Beers: Unhopped’s directory.

The hops you’ll see most on alcohol-free cans

Citra

American, from the Hop Breeding Company; alpha acids 11–13%, with “mango, grapefruit flesh, lime zest”.[3] The hop alcohol-free brewers name most in our directory: 41 beers, such as Northern Monk Faith Alcohol Free, Athletic Brewing Free Wave Hazy IPA and Brulo Lust for Life DDH IPA.

Mosaic

Released by the Hop Breeding Company in 2012; “tangerine, lime, peach, passion fruit, blueberry”.[3] In 33 beers in our directory, such as Athletic Brewing Free Wave Hazy IPA, Big Drop Poolside DDH IPA and Brulo Lust for Life DDH IPA.

Simcoe

Bred by Yakima Chief Ranches and released in 2000; “grapefruit, stone fruit, passion fruit, bubblegum, earth, pine”.[3] In 16 of our beers, such as Brulo Lust for Life DDH IPA, Lucky Saint Hazy IPA and Brulo Cascadian Tides Stout.

Saaz

The Czech noble hop, low in alpha acid (2.5–4.5%), with “bergamot, honey, woody, chamomile tea, spicy”.[3] In 6 of our beers, such as Mash Gang Siege Perilous Lager, Below Brew Co Brune DMC and Below Brew Co Forgot To Take My Pils.

Cascade

Released by the USDA and Oregon State University in 1972: “floral, grapefruit, pine resin”.[3] In 8 of our beers, such as Big Drop Paradiso Citra IPA, BrewDog Punk AF and Clausthaler Dry Hopped.

Nelson Sauvin and Galaxy

From the southern hemisphere: Nelson Sauvin for “white wine, gooseberry”, Galaxy for “passion fruit, peach, complex citrus”.[3] Nelson Sauvin is in 7 of our beers, such as Mash Gang x Siren Out of Nowhere Pilsner and BrewDog Punk AF; Galaxy is in 2, such as Fierce Fancy Juice Hazy IPA 0.5 and Jump Ship Dazzle Ship Galaxy IPA.

Fuggle and Goldings

England’s traditional hops: Fuggle for “potting soil, tobacco, floral, spearmint”, East Kent Goldings for “citrus, artichoke, gingerbread, woodruff”, in Haas’s words; the British Hop Association calls Goldings “spicy, honey, earthy”.[3][6] Of the 94 beers whose hops we’ve checked, none uses Fuggle and one Goldings.

The hops in alcohol-free beer

We’ve checked the hops of 94 of the 373 alcohol-free beers in our directory: 51 different hops in all. American hops dominate the top of the list.

The hops alcohol-free brewers name mostHow many of the 94 beers whose hops we’ve checked use each one, 6 November 2026. Most name two or more.
Citra
Mosaic
Simcoe
Amarillo
Cascade
Azacca
El Dorado
Nelson Sauvin
Motueka
Saaz
Sabro
Columbus

We count a beer’s hops only where the brewer names them on a page we’ve checked, or the beer’s description on Unhopped does. Hops we haven’t confirmed aren’t counted.

Source: Unhopped’s directory of 373 alcohol-free beers.

Show as a table
The hops alcohol-free brewers name most
HopBeers naming itDetails
Citra4141 of the 94 beers whose hops we’ve checked
Mosaic3333 of the 94 beers whose hops we’ve checked
Simcoe1616 of the 94 beers whose hops we’ve checked
Amarillo88 of the 94 beers whose hops we’ve checked
Cascade88 of the 94 beers whose hops we’ve checked
Azacca77 of the 94 beers whose hops we’ve checked
El Dorado77 of the 94 beers whose hops we’ve checked
Nelson Sauvin77 of the 94 beers whose hops we’ve checked
Motueka66 of the 94 beers whose hops we’ve checked
Saaz66 of the 94 beers whose hops we’ve checked
Sabro66 of the 94 beers whose hops we’ve checked
Columbus55 of the 94 beers whose hops we’ve checked

For the hoppiest of them, ranked by our scores with prices, see the best hoppy alcohol-free beers.

Whole cones, pellets and extracts: the forms hops come in

“Types of hops” can also mean the form they’re sold in. “Whole leaf hops are the dried cones of the hops plant and the least processed form available.” “Pellets are produced by shredding dried whole hops and then extruding them through a die”; “T-45 pellets have had much of the vegetal material removed, producing a more concentrated product.” “Wet hops are only available during the autumn hops harvest and must be used immediately due to their perishability.” Plugs, “just tiny hops bales of only an ounce or two (28 to 57 g)”, are mostly used to dry hop cask ale. Extracts “allow for very precise dosing of bitterness because they’re standardized to a known percentage of alpha acids”, and concentrated lupulin powder is “twice as potent as traditional hops products”.[11]

Fruity, but not fruit. When a beer’s mango comes from its hops and when it comes from mango: Fruit and spices in beer.

Questions people ask

What are the main types of hops?

Aroma hops (low in alpha acid, about 2.5–6%) and bittering hops (high in alpha acid, about 10–15%). Four old European aroma hops are called noble. Many modern varieties are high in alpha acid but used for aroma.

What are noble hops?

Four European landraces: Hallertauer Mittelfrüh, Tettnanger, Spalt and Saaz. The term is historical and commercial. They’re known for aroma and gentle bitterness.

What is the most popular hop?

In our directory of alcohol-free beers, Citra: 41 of the 94 beers whose hops we’ve checked use it, ahead of Mosaic (33) and Simcoe (16).

Which hops taste of citrus?

Citra (“mango, grapefruit flesh, lime zest”), Amarillo (“tangerine, lemon, apricot”), Centennial (“orange, lime, cherry”) and Cascade (“floral, grapefruit, pine resin”), in John I. Haas’s descriptions.

What are British hops like?

The British Hop Association calls their aromas “delicate, complex”. Fuggle and East Kent Goldings are the classics; others, such as Harlequin and Olicana, are fruity.

What is the difference between hop pellets and whole hops?

Whole hops are dried cones, the least processed form. Pellets are whole hops shredded and pressed through a die; T-45 pellets are more concentrated.

Sources

Opened and checked on 6 November 2026. Beer facts, prices and stock come from each beer’s page on Unhopped and the shops’ own listings on the same day.

  1. Brynildson M. Alpha acids. In: The Oxford Companion to Beer, ed. Garrett Oliver (Oxford University Press, 2012), via Craft Beer & Brewing. beerandbrewing.com
  2. Carollo Blake V. Hops. In: The Oxford Companion to Beer, ed. Garrett Oliver (Oxford University Press, 2012), via Craft Beer & Brewing. beerandbrewing.com
  3. John I. Haas, Inc. Hops Companion: A Brewer’s Guide to Hop Varieties and Hop Products, 4th edition, 2022. Opened 6 November 2026. johnihaas.com (PDF)
  4. Shellhammer T. Cohumulone. In: The Oxford Companion to Beer, ed. Garrett Oliver (Oxford University Press, 2012), via Craft Beer & Brewing. beerandbrewing.com
  5. Yakima Chief Hops. Citra® Brand HBC 394 (variety page). Opened 6 November 2026. yakimachief.com
  6. British Hop Association. British Hop Varieties (web page, updated 5 July 2022). Opened 6 November 2026. britishhops.org.uk
  7. Beer Judge Certification Program. 2021 Beer Style Guidelines: 11B Best Bitter. styles.bjcp.org
  8. BarthHaas. BarthHaas Report 2025/2026 on the 2025 hop crop (news release), 21 July 2026. Opened 6 November 2026. barthhaas.com
  9. Beer Judge Certification Program. 2021 Beer Style Guidelines: 5D German Pils. styles.bjcp.org
  10. Beer Judge Certification Program. 2021 Beer Style Guidelines: 18B American Pale Ale. styles.bjcp.org
  11. Carpenter D. 6 Forms of Hops. Craft Beer & Brewing, 20 June 2017. Opened 6 November 2026. beerandbrewing.com

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