Tipos de lúpulo en la cerveza artesana: descubre sus sabores y aromas clave

Types of hops in craft beer: discover their key flavors and aromas

Hops play a fundamental role in creating distinctive flavor profiles in beer. From delicate noble hops, with floral and spicy notes, to exotic New World hops, each family brings its own unique character to beers.

In this article from Beer Republic, we will explore the main families of hops, their characteristics, and how they influence the beer experience.

What is a hop and what does it bring to beer?

The hop (Humulus lupulus) is a climbing plant whose cone-shaped flowers contain resins and essential oils responsible for the sensory complexity of beer. In addition to balancing the sweetness of the malt, hops:

  • Provide bitterness through α-acids (humulone, cohumulone, and adhumulone).
  • Contribute to the aroma with essential oils that impart citrus, floral, and herbal notes.
  • Improve foam stability and mouthfeel.
  • Possess antimicrobial properties, favoring the preservation of the beer.

Noble hops: tradition and elegance

Originating from Europe, noble hops are prized for their mild and balanced profiles. They are ideal for classic beers such as Pilsners and wheat beers.

Saaz

Saaz hops are one of the most iconic varieties in Europe, especially in the production of Czech Pilsner beers. Its aromatic profile is mild and refined, with floral, spicy, and herbal notes that add elegance without overwhelming the beer with bitterness. Its low alpha-acid content makes it a hop oriented more toward aroma than bitterness, allowing brewers to create balanced and light beers.

In addition to its use in Pilsners, Saaz is also used in wheat beers and some Belgian beers. Its genetics have served as the basis for the development of many other hop varieties around the world, maintaining its status as a benchmark in European brewing tradition.

Tettnang

Tettnang hops come from the region of the same name in Germany and are highly valued in Lagers, wheat beers, and Belgian beers. Their aromatic profile is characterized by floral and herbal nuances with a spicy touch that adds complexity without being dominant. Compared to other noble hops, Tettnang offers an exceptional balance between aroma and bitterness, providing a distinctive smoothness on the palate.

This hop is an ideal choice for beers that seek to highlight the subtlety of the hop without overshadowing the malt. Thanks to its versatility, brewers have used it in multiple styles, from Kölsch to experimental craft beers that seek to replicate classic European profiles.

Hallertau

Hallertau is another of the oldest and most appreciated noble hops in the German brewing tradition. Its profile stands out for herbal, earthy, and spicy notes, making it an ideal choice for Lagers, Bocks, and wheat beers. Its bitterness is mild and elegant, allowing it to integrate harmoniously into the overall profile of the beer.

It is grown in the Hallertau region, one of the most important hop-producing areas in the world. Its genetics have been used to develop new varieties with higher yields and resistance to disease, while maintaining their distinctive sensory characteristics.

American hops: intensity and diversity

American hops stand out for their bold and fruity character, which is essential in styles such as IPAs and Pale Ales.

Cascade

Cascade hops are one of the most emblematic varieties of the American craft beer movement. They are characterized by an intense aromatic profile with citrus, floral notes, and a distinctive touch of grapefruit. Their versatility makes them ideal for styles such as Pale Ales, IPAs, and experimental beers.

Due to their popularity, Cascade has been adopted by brewers all over the world, becoming a benchmark in the use of aromatic hops. Their balance between moderate bitterness and a vibrant aromatic profile makes them a preferred choice for those looking for a hop with personality and freshness.

Centennial

Considered a more intense version of Cascade, Centennial offers a high alpha-acid content that makes it ideal for both bitterness and aroma. It presents a profile of citrus, pine, and wildflowers, making it a favorite for IPAs and Pale Ales with a fresh and resinous character.

This hop has been key in the development of the West Coast IPA, a style characterized by its hop intensity and dry finish. Its versatility allows for its use in double dry-hopped beers, providing a notable aromatic impact.

Amarillo

Amarillo hops are a US variety highly prized in craft brewing due to their complex and distinctive aromatic profile. They are characterized by offering intense citrus notes, with nuances of orange and lemon, as well as a subtle floral and spicy touch. Their high essential oil content helps to boost the aroma in beers such as IPAs and Pale Ales.

In addition to their aromatic characteristics, Amarillo has gained popularity due to its fruity profile, which can include notes of tropical fruits such as melon, peach, and apricot. This hop is grown mainly in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, where climatic conditions favor its optimal development.

Citra

Citra is one of the most widely used hops today due to its extremely fruity and tropical aromatic profile. It presents a combination of citrus and tropical notes, with a predominance of grapefruit, lime, mango, and passion fruit, making it an ideal choice for IPA and Pale Ale styles.

This hop has been key in the evolution of New England IPAs (NEIPAs) and other modern beer variants that seek a fruity, fresh, and juicy profile. Citra is known for its ability to provide beers with a softer body and a silky mouthfeel. Its popularity has led to it being grown in large quantities in the United States.

British hops: tradition and character

British hops refer to Old World hops, known for their character and long history in the brewing tradition of the United Kingdom. These are hops characterized by adding earthy, herbal, and slightly spicy flavors and aromas to beers.

East Kent Goldings

East Kent Goldings hops are among the most traditional in the United Kingdom and are considered an English noble hop. They have been grown in the Kent region since the 18th century and are characterized by an elegant and subtle aromatic profile. Their notes include honey, lavender, mild spices, and a floral background, making them ideal for classic British beers such as Bitters, Mild Ales, and some Stouts.

Furthermore, they are an excellent option for cellar beers, as their subtle character does not dominate the final profile of the drink. Their cultivation in Kent remains one of the most prestigious in England, due to the optimal soil and climate conditions in this region.

Fuggle

Fuggle hops, introduced in England in 1875, are among the most iconic hops in the country. They are known for their earthy and herbal profile, with notes of wood, black tea, and wildflowers, making them an ideal choice for traditional British beers such as Bitters, Porters, and some Stouts.

Their versatility has allowed them to be grown in other countries like the United States, where they develop a slightly different profile, with a more spicy and resinous touch. Although they have been partially replaced by higher-yielding hops, they remain prized for their contribution to the identity of British beer.

Challenger

Challenger hops, developed in the United Kingdom in the 1970s, are one of the most versatile varieties within British brewing. They are characterized by a balance between bitterness and aroma, with herbal, spicy, and fruity notes that can be reminiscent of black pepper, apple, and green tea.

They are a highly prized hop in traditional British beers such as Bitters and Porters, but they have also found their place in more modern styles, such as English-inspired IPAs. Their versatility has led to them being grown in different regions of the United Kingdom, where they remain one of the preferred choices for brewers to provide an earthy and balanced character.

New World hops: exotic and fruity

Coming from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, these hops are famous for their aromatic intensity and exotic flavors.

Galaxy

Galaxy hops, originating from Australia, are widely recognized for their intense fruity character and high essential oil content. Their dominant aromas include passion fruit, melon, and peach, with a citrus background that makes them stand out in styles such as IPAs, Pale Ales, and wheat beers.

Their use in Hazy IPA style beers has grown significantly in recent years, as they complement the malts used in this style very well. This hop is grown primarily in Tasmania and other regions of Australia, where the temperate climate favors its development.

Nelson Sauvin

Nelson Sauvin hops, originating from New Zealand, are known for their unique aromatic profile, which is reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc white wine. Their notes of white grape, gooseberry, and tropical fruits have made them a highly valued hop in experimental styles, as well as in IPAs and wheat beers.

This hop is ideal for beers with complex aromatic profiles, as it provides a vinous and slightly herbal sensation. It is grown in the Nelson region of New Zealand, where the cool, temperate climate favors the development of its unique characteristics. Its ability to transform the aroma and flavor of a beer has made it a coveted ingredient in modern brewing.

Vic Secret

Vic Secret hops, introduced in 2013 in Australia, are characterized by their vibrant and tropical aromatic profile. Their notes include pineapple, passion fruit, pine, and fresh herbs, making them ideal for modern styles such as IPAs, Hazy IPAs, and Pale Ales.

Compared to Galaxy hops, Vic Secret presents a more subtle and balanced aromatic expression, which makes them an excellent option to complement other hops in beers with a tropical character. They are grown primarily in the state of Victoria, Australia, where climatic conditions favor their development.

Hops are key in the creation of unique craft beers, allowing brewers to play with flavors and aromas. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us or consult us. Cheers!

Sources and references

Rodríguez Saavedra, M. (2021). Cerveza artesanal: innovaciones biotecnológicas en cervecería y sobre su impacto en la microbiota y salud intestinal [Doctoral thesis]. Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Institute of Food Science Research.

Magadán Marcos, J. A., Olmedo Nadal, J. L., Piñeiro Andión, J., Valladares Alonso, J., García Pedreira-Ramisquido, J. M., & Fernández Paz, J. (2011). Guía del cultivo del lúpulo. S.A.E. Fomento del Lúpulo.

Beermaverick. (n.d.). Amarillo Hops Profile. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://beermaverick.com/hop/amarillo/

Hukins Hops. (2021, November 6). East Kent Goldings Hops - Hukins Hops. https://www.hukins-hops.co.uk/hop-varieties/east-kent-goldings/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhr6_BhD4ARIsAH1YdjD7hlXSu7XvbZXFyH7Y0rLgCDtDh-V8byRm4sWa3KNFiuMVVUVRmEgaArnlEALw_wcB

Yakima Valley Hops. (n.d.):

  • Citra Hop Pellets. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://yakimavalleyhops.com/products/citra-hop-pellets
  • Nelson Sauvin Hop Pellets. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://yakimavalleyhops.com/products/nelson-sauvin-hop-pellets
  • Vic Secret Hop Pellets. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://yakimavalleyhops.com/products/vic-secret-hop-pellets
  • Galaxy Hop Pellets. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://yakimavalleyhops.com/products/galaxy-hop-pellets
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