Choose Wisely
If there’s one thing we know for sure after five generations on a hop farm, it’s this: not all hops are created equal—and that’s a beautiful thing. The hops you choose can completely shape the personality of your beer, from the aroma that hits your nose to the bitterness that lingers on your tongue.
Whether you’re a homebrewer working on your next five-gallon batch or a pro brewer tweaking your seasonal lineup, choosing the right hop variety is a big deal. And we’re here to help break it down, farmer-style.
So let’s dig into how different hop varieties complement different beer styles—and how to pick the perfect match.
🍺 First Things First: What Are You Brewing?
Before you go clicking “add to cart” on that juicy new hop variety, start by getting clear on your beer style. Are you going for something clean and crisp? Bright and citrusy? Malty and rich?
Once you know the vibe you're after, it gets a lot easier to pick a hop (or combo of hops) that’ll help you get there.
🌾 Hop Variety by Beer Style
Here’s a handy hop guide, straight from the farm to your fermenter:
IPA & Hazy IPA
Goal: Big aroma, juicy flavor, tropical fruit, citrus, pine.
Best Hops:
-
Citra® – Think mango, lime, passionfruit. A hazy IPA hero.
-
Mosaic® – Complex and fruity, with berry-meets-dank vibes.
-
Simcoe® – Bright citrus with piney bitterness; adds dimension.
-
Amarillo® – Floral and orange-forward. Great for aroma layering.
Tip from the farm: Don’t be afraid to blend. Citra and Mosaic are a dream team, especially when you’re dry hopping.
Pale Ale
Goal: Balanced bitterness and aroma, citrus, floral, piney.
Best Hops:
-
Cascade – The OG American hop. Grapefruit, floral, slightly spicy.
-
Centennial – Like Cascade’s bolder cousin. Lemon zest and resin.
-
Chinook – Pine and spice with a punchy bitterness.
Farmer note: Pale ales are great for showcasing single hops. Try a SMASH (Single Malt and Single Hop) recipe with one of these to let the variety really shine.
Lager & Pilsner
Goal: Clean bitterness, mild aroma, classic character.
Best Hops:
-
Saaz – Delicate, earthy, and herbal. A must for Czech-style pilsners.
-
Hallertau Mittelfrüh – Spicy and floral. Perfect for traditional German lagers.
-
Mt. Hood – A U.S.-grown noble-type hop with a clean profile.
Lowdown: These hops are more subtle than their IPA cousins, but don’t overlook their power. They add balance and structure to delicate lagers.
Wheat Beer
Goal: Light, refreshing, with gentle spice and citrus notes.
Best Hops:
-
Mandarina Bavaria – Orange and tangerine aromas.
-
Tettnang – Mild and spicy, with a hint of floral.
-
Lemondrop™ – Yep, it smells like lemon candy. Zippy and fun.
Farm tip: Go easy on the bittering additions. These styles shine with late or whirlpool hops to keep things smooth.
Stouts & Porters
Goal: Support dark malt character with subtle hop presence.
Best Hops:
-
Fuggle – Earthy and woody. A classic British pick.
-
Willamette – Mild and spicy, great for rounding things out.
-
East Kent Goldings – Herbal and floral. Traditional, balanced, timeless.
Just a heads up: You’re not looking for hop domination here. Think supporting actor, not lead role.
Sour & Fruited Beers
Goal: Complement fruity, tart flavors without overpowering.
Best Hops:
-
El Dorado® – Candy-like pineapple and pear notes.
-
Galaxy® – Passionfruit and peach. A tropical powerhouse.
-
Cashmere – Melon and lime with a silky smooth bitterness.
Quick tip: Use hops that mirror your fruit addition—think peachy hops with peach puree, citrusy hops with lemon zest, etc.
🧪 A Word on Experimentation
Look—brewing’s an art as much as it is a science. And some of the best beers we’ve tasted (and brewed!) have come from unexpected hop combos. Our advice?
Use the classics as a guide, but don’t be afraid to mix things up. Try a lager with a citrusy hop. Use Simcoe in a porter. See what happens. That’s where the fun lives.
💡 Other Things to Keep in Mind
-
Alpha acids matter. Higher AA% means more bitterness. Use those for bittering additions, and save the lower-AA hops for aroma.
-
Know your timing. Early boil = bitter. Late boil = flavor. Whirlpool/dry hop = aroma bomb.
-
Storage is key. Always keep your hops in the freezer, sealed tight. Oxygen and warm temps are the enemy.
🛒 Shop Hops By Style
Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. Check out our Hops By Style section in the shop to see which varieties are best suited for the beer you’re brewing next. You can filter by aroma profile, alpha acids, and more.
👩🌾 Final Thoughts From the Farm
At the end of the day, hops are about flavor, creativity, and connection. From the fields we tend here in the Yakima Valley to the glass of beer in your hand, hops bring people together.
So whether you’re going for a classic West Coast IPA or creating your own fruited saison hybrid, choosing the right hop is one of the most important (and fun) steps in the brewing process.
Need help deciding? Hit us up—we’re happy to talk hops all day long.
Cheers,
The Puterbaugh Family
Hops Direct | Farm Fresh Hops Since 1932
