Some hops shout. Some whisper. Amarillo? It glows.
Bursting with bright citrus, sweet floral, and a touch of tropical fruit, Amarillo hops are like the golden hour of brewing. Warm, vivid, and impossible to ignore.
Like many good things, Amarillo was a happy accident. In the early 1990s, farmers at Virgil Gamache Farms in Washington discovered it growing wild on their land and knew its flavor was too good to ignore. Much like our very own Belma® hop, Amarillo started as a one-of-a-kind find, nurtured carefully until it became something truly special.
For years, it was guard like gold, being grown exclusively by the Gamache family. Eventually, its reputation spread, and Amarillo found its way into breweries around the world. This opened up the possibility for Amarillo to be grown elsewhere, like right here at Hops Direct. But no matter where it’s farmed, its roots will always run deep in Yakima Valley soil at VGF, Inc.
Flavor + Aroma Profile: Golden Citrus and Floral Bloom
Amarillo has been coined a modern classic, prized for its versatility and its unmistakable orange-forward aroma. If you’re looking for a hop that can make your beer shine, Amarillo has all the golden hues. An absolute flavor bomb of bright citrus, llayered with delicate floral and fruit notes, it’s one of those hops you can identify the second it hits your nose.
Expect Amarillo to bring:
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Juicy orange and tangerine
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Ripe melon and tropical fruit
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Stone fruit (apricot and peach)
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Gentle floral bouquet
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Slight herbal/spicy edge
If you’re looking to use Amarillo, it works great in both early boils and as a late addition hop. In an early boil, it ill give your beer a smooth, medium bitterness. But when used as a late boil or dry hop, your beer will explode with juicy orange, tropical fruit, and floral goodness that practically glows in the glass. No right or wrong answer here, unless you don’t use it of course.
Beer Styles That Shine With Amarillo
When it comes to beer styles, the options are endless for Amarillo. Its orange-citrus punch and floral lift make it a natural fit for American-style ales, but its versatility has carried it far beyond. From West Coast IPAs to wheat beers, Amarillo brings that unmistakable Yakima Valley glow to every pint.
IPAs (Hazy, West Coast, American): Citrus punch with bold bitterness
Pale Ales: Bright hops, crisp, easy drinking
Wheat Beers: Juicy orange, soft wheat balance
Ambers and Reds: Malty backbone meets citrus pop
Darker Styles: Roasty malt with citrus surprise
Want to check out Amarillo for yourself? Give these delicious, and notable, brews a try!
A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin IPA - Laguntas (CA)
A unique IPA made with 50% wheat, 50% malted Barley, and 100% delicious hoppiness. Hints of bubblegum, pineapple, light cedar & pine. Tons of tropical fruitiness with none of the fruit!
Juice Dust - Elysian Brewing (WA)
Powered by vibrant bursts of real orange juice, Juice Dust IPA corkscrews through space on waves of citrus and notes of sweet tropical fruit.
Trail Pass Non-Alcoholic IPA - Sierra Nevada (CA)
Grab a Trail Pass and start a new adventure with miles of flavor. Explore the hoppy notes of citrus and pine from Amarillo® and CTZ varieties in non-alcoholic Trail Pass IPA.
Why We Love Amarillo at Hops Direct
For us, Amarillo is a reminder of Yakima Valley’s ability to surprise and delight. It’s bold but approachable, versatile but distinctive. Whether you’re chasing juicy IPAs, crisp pales, or experimenting with something unexpected, Amarillo is a brewer’s best friend.
Hops Direct has Amarillo hops ready to ship directly from our family farm. Ready to brew something great?
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Available in: T-90 Pellets
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Packaging Sizes: 1 lb, 11 lb, and more for commercial brewers
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Farm-direct freshness
About Hops Direct
We’ve been growing hops for five generations in the heart of Yakima Valley. When you buy from Hops Direct, you’re not getting warehouse leftovers. You’re getting hops straight from our farm, packaged carefully, and ready for your next brew day. Plus, you’re supporting a small, family-owned business.
