# Your favorite Hops that are rarely mentioned... **URL:** \ **Category:** Ingredients\ **Created:** [May 25, 2014, 8:37pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748 "2014-05-25T20:37:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kinetic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/77aa72/32.png) [@Kinetic](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/Kinetic)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 8:37pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/1 "2014-05-25T20:37:01Z")
There are plenty of hops that have good qualities, but are rarely talked about or seen in homebrew recipes.  This thread is for them.  Amarillo, Centennial, Columbus, Cascade, Chinook, Citra, Simcoe, Noble hops, East Kent Goldings, Magnum, Willamette and their ilk don’t belong in this thread. Give us a few less popular hops you like to use and tell us why you like them.  Describe them.  I’ll give mine later. ---
**Author:** ![denny](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/denny/32/13092_2.png) [@denny](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/denny)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 9:21pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/2 "2014-05-25T21:21:56Z")
I really like Horizon.  Bittering properties similar to Magnum, but with better aroma. ---
**Author:** ![jonhughey\_att.net](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jonhughey_att.net/32/6277_2.png) [@jonhughey\_att.net](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jonhughey_att.net)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 9:31pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/3 "2014-05-25T21:31:15Z")
I’d add Brewer’s Gold, Cluster, and Nugget as underrated/under used. EDIT - Ahtanum in a blend, and Falconer’s Flight are good too. Galena is excellent as a bittering hop, especially for dark beers. ---
**Author:** ![klickitat\_jim](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/klickitat_jim/32/6601_2.png) [@klickitat\_jim](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/klickitat_jim)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 10:05pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/4 "2014-05-25T22:05:46Z")
I feel sad. I can’t talk about EKG, Magnum, Cascade,  or Centennial ---
**Author:** ![Kinetic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/77aa72/32.png) [@Kinetic](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/Kinetic)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 10:47pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/5 "2014-05-25T22:47:20Z")
> [@](#): > > I’d add Brewer’s Gold, Cluster, and Nugget as underrated/under used. I like Nugget too.  It’s a hop I was going to mention.  They are really cheap.  You can get a pound for $9.  They are nice to mix with the C hops in an IPA for a resinous hoppy aroma that can never be mistaken for onions or cat pee.  I don’t get any fruit or citrus from them.  Just potent herbaceous hoppiness.  Good for bittering too. ---
**Author:** ![fmader](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/fmader/32/11371_2.png) [@fmader](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/fmader)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 11:13pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/6 "2014-05-25T23:13:35Z")
I’m also a pretty big fan of nugget. I love bittering my stouts with them. I pretty much exclusively brew american and specialty stouts. Usually use bitter with nugget and finish a bit with Willamette. ---
**Author:** ![Kinetic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/77aa72/32.png) [@Kinetic](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/Kinetic)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 11:29pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/7 "2014-05-25T23:29:58Z")
HoosierBrew slipped in Ahtanum with the edit.  That’s another I was going to mention.  Never used it alone, but every time I’ve used it, I said “whoa, that’s a damn good beer”.  I think it’s bright orange with a bit of spice and floral?  The beer I’m brewing tomorrow is going to have Ahtanum and Galaxy. ---
**Author:** ![jonhughey\_att.net](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/jonhughey_att.net/32/6277_2.png) [@jonhughey\_att.net](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/jonhughey_att.net)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2014, 11:34pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/8 "2014-05-25T23:34:57Z")
> [@Kinetic](#): > > HoosierBrew slipped in Ahtanum with the edit.  That’s another I was going to mention.  Never used it alone, but every time I’ve used it, I said “whoa, that’s a damn good beer”.  I think it’s bright orange with a bit of spice and floral?  The beer I’m brewing tomorrow is going to have Ahtanum and Galaxy. That sounds good. Let us know how it comes out - never used Ahtanum with Galaxy. I agree with the orange/ floral thing, and sometimes it’s a little orange/lemon to me along with the other attributes. ---
**Author:** ![theantipunk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/theantipunk/32/6822_2.png) [@theantipunk](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/theantipunk)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 12:32am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/9 "2014-05-26T00:32:02Z")
I like to use Styrian Goldings and Tettnang when brewing Belgian styles. Two of my favs. I also really like Belma for bittering. Very smooth, with no harshness. ---
**Author:** ![hopfenundmalz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/hopfenundmalz/32/11193_2.png) [@hopfenundmalz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/hopfenundmalz)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 12:34am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/10 "2014-05-26T00:34:38Z")
Bullion, Cluster, Crystal. ---
**Author:** ![maaswinhester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/maaswinhester/32/13423_2.png) [@maaswinhester](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/maaswinhester)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 12:48am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/11 "2014-05-26T00:48:43Z")
Serebrianka, Perle, Santiam, Celeia. All very nice and versatile. +1 to Brewer’s Gold and Cluster. ---
**Author:** ![mabrungard](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/mabrungard/32/12430_2.png) [@mabrungard](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/mabrungard)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 2:07am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/12 "2014-05-26T02:07:20Z")
+2 regarding Brewers Gold! Very nice hop with fruity black currant notes. ---
**Author:** ![erockrph](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/erockrph/32/13330_2.png) [@erockrph](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/erockrph)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 3:21am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/13 "2014-05-26T03:21:35Z")
Caliente - A new hop, but still pretty hard to come by. I get a really distinct red plum-type stonefruit nose to them that is unique and delicious. Has some earthiness in the flavor that also lends itself to sneaking into English brews. Meridian - Another new hop, and seems to be getting a bit more popular. I get stonefruit from this, but it’s on the sweet side, like apricot/pluot/nectarine. It’s a bit sweet, but not the straight-up candy/melon you get from a lot of the other new hops like El Dorado. It also has a bit of dank & pine on the palate. I like these two hops because they’re fruity and fairly oily, but they don’t taste just like Cascade/Amarillo/Centennial/etc. They’re also not particularly monotone like a lot of the other new hops seem to be. I won’t lose any sleep if hop varieties like El Dorado and Belma don’t catch on and disappear. These two are ones I really hope stick around. I also want to give a shout out to Challenger. It’s an overlooked UK hop, IMO. It has that typical earthy UK hop character, but it also has a nice creamy, white chocolate thing that pairs really well with dark English crystal malt, and also with the anise note that I get from EKG’s. ---
**Author:** ![pete\_baker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/pete_baker/32/5190_2.png) [@pete\_baker](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/pete_baker)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 12:16pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/14 "2014-05-26T12:16:33Z")
I like galena for bittering. Its got a clean bitterness that plays well with flavoring and aroma hops. I grow it as well as cascade and the two work well together in pale ales and IPA’s. I also like it in stouts. Its a cross between brewers gold and an open pollination. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Deckert](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/don_deckert/32/10877_2.png) [@Don\_Deckert](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/Don_Deckert)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 12:42pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/15 "2014-05-26T12:42:37Z")
I’m dry hopping a black IPA today with Galaxy and Wakatau. I haven’t used them in my own brewing yet, but really like their Lemon/lime, fruity, juicy fruit gum  aroma they add to beers I have tasted that use them in dry hopping. I’ll let you know how it turns out . ---
**Author:** ![majorvices](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/majorvices/32/12825_2.png) [@majorvices](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/majorvices)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 1:06pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/16 "2014-05-26T13:06:37Z")
I was going to say Nugget. But was beat to it. I especially like nugget in dark ales. I did not care for the Ahtanum when I tried it a few years ago. It was sold to me as a Amarillo sub and it was not. I guess I should give it another shake. Crystal is one of my very favorite hops. Reminds me favorably of a noble Hallertauer type. French strisslspalt is another one I enjoy very well. Aurora was excellent when you could find it. Maybe it is still available somewhere but I can’t find it. Kind of a fruity version of Styrian Goldings. So many of these hops that I used to use all the time that I have fallen out of the habit of using. Need to go back in and try many of them again. ---
**Author:** ![gymrat](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/gymrat/32/5296_2.png) [@gymrat](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/gymrat)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 2:38pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/17 "2014-05-26T14:38:51Z")
> [@Don\_Deckert](#): > > I’m dry hopping a black IPA today with Galaxy and Wakatau. I haven’t used them in my own brewing yet, but really like their Lemon/lime, fruity, juicy fruit gum  aroma they add to beers I have tasted that use them in dry hopping. I’ll let you know how it turns out . I used Wakatu in my last white wheat beer. It is the most refreshing wheat beer I have ever brewed. I ordered another half a pound of them so I can keep some of this beer around all summer. ---
**Author:** ![reverseapachemaster](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/reverseapachemaster/32/19_2.png) [@reverseapachemaster](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/reverseapachemaster)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 3:37pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/18 "2014-05-26T15:37:39Z")
I’ll toss in another vote for Nugget. I am enjoying using the Belma I have in various ways. I bought a couple pounds when they first came out and I’m still going through the first pound. It’s very smooth bittering and it’s a nice fruit/grassy note mixed into saisons. It’s a very mellow flavor on its own but I think it does a good job of rounding out a blend of hops. I make a tasty black IPA with Belma, Chinook and Cascade. Aramis is another hop I am learning to love. It’s noble-like plus lemon and spice. Lots of the older American varieties are underappreciated and overlooked, like Perle and Mount Hood. ---
**Author:** ![theprofessor](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/theprofessor/32/11214_2.png) [@theprofessor](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/theprofessor)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/19 "2014-05-26T16:09:44Z")
> [@](#): > > I’d add Brewer’s Gold, Cluster, and Nugget as underrated/under used… Brewers Gold, Cluster, and Bullion are still my favorite ‘old school-go to’ hops.  I use these more than any other varieties.  Nugget and Colimbus are also ones I try to keep a supply of. I guess I just don’t like the overly citrus or ‘tropical’ flavors found in so many of the newer varieties, or if I do use them, I use them for blends, in  small quantities. ---
**Author:** ![Kinetic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/77aa72/32.png) [@Kinetic](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/Kinetic)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 6:46pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748/20 "2014-05-26T18:46:32Z")
More hops mentioned that I planed to mention: Wakatu - I think I’ve tried most of the NZ hops and Wakatu is my favorite NZ hop.  It’s lime + Hallertau Hersbrucker with a higher AA.  The flavor and aroma it provides has worked well for me in wheats and various Belgians.  It’s a bit expensive, but Farmhouse has 2013 Wakatu on sale for $1 an ounce right now. Crystal - it’s a mild hop with cinnamon, black pepper and mild floral.  I never regret using it.  It blends well with most hops.  I like to use it in saisons as a single hop or primary hop, but wouldn’t hesitate to toss it in almost anything as a complimentary hop. [Next page](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/your-favorite-hops-that-are-rarely-mentioned/16748.md?page=2)