Hop Characteristics
Compiled from information from Hop Union's website (http://www.hopunion.com)

Jump to imported hops

Domestic Hops

Amarillo
	Aroma	Citrusy, flowery
	Alpha Acids	8 - 9% w/w
	Storageability	Average
	General Perception	Gaining acceptance, viewed somewhat as a Cascade type
	Possible Substitutions	Cascade, centennial
	Beer Styles	Ale, IPA
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Bullion
	Aroma	Intense, black current Aroma
	Alpha Acids	6.5 - 9.0% w/w
	Storageability	40 - 50% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at room temperature.
	General Perception	A bittering hop with a pronounced American hop Aroma
	Possible Substitutions	Columbus, Northern Brewer, German Brewer's Gold
	Beer Styles	IPA, ESB, Stout
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Cascade
	Aroma	Pleasant, flowery, spicy and citrus. Can have a grapefruit flavor.
	Alpha Acids	4.5 - 7.0% w/w
	Storageability	48 - 52% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20ºC
	General Perception	Aroma variety with well-balanced bittering potential. It is the most popular hop with the craft-brewing industry. Few still used by major breweries. Good for dry hopping.
	Possible Substitutions	Centennial, Amarillo, possibly Columbus.
	Beer Styles	Pale Ale, IPA, Porter, Barley wines
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Centennial
	Aroma	Medium with floral and citrus tones
	Alpha Acids	9.5 - 11.5% w/w
	Storageability	60 - 65% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20ºC.
	General Perception	Very balanced hop, sometimes called a super Cascade
	Possible Substitutions	Cascade, possibly Columbus, Note: feel it's best to use a 70% Cascade - 30% Columbus combination for best substitution results.
	Beer Styles	All Ale styles, has been used with Wheat beers
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Chinook
	Aroma	Mild to medium-heavy, spicy, piney and distinctly grapfruity
	Alpha Acids	12.0 - 14.0% w/w
	Storageability	65 - 70% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20ºC.
	General Perception	A high alpha-acids hop with a highly acceptable aroma profile
	Possible Substitutions	Nugget, Columbus, Northern Brewer, Wye Target
	Beer Styles	Pale Ale, IPA, Stout, Porter, Lager
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Cluster
	Aroma	Medium and quite spicy
	Alpha Acids	5.5 - 8.5% w/w
	Storageability	80 - 85% alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20º C
	General Perception	An excellent general purpose hop with medium and well balanced bittering potential and no undesirable aroma properties.
	Possible Substitutions	Galena
	Beer Styles	Ale, Lager, (good aroma for Ales, good bittering for lagers)
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Columbus
	Aroma	Pleasant, is a pungent hop
	Alpha Acids	14 - 16% w/w
	Storageability	Under evaluation
	General Perception	Becoming increasingly accepted by brewers and to the world. Mainly bred for it's alpha, it is also popular for it's oil profile.
	Possible Substitutions	Nugget, Chinook, Wye Target, Northern Brewer
	Beer Styles	IPA, Pale Ale, Stout, Lager
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Crystal
	Aroma	Mild and pleasant, spicy and flowery
	Alpha Acids	2.0 - 4.5% w/w
	Storageability	50% alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20º C
	General Perception	Aroma variety with well-balanced bittering potential. It is the most popular hop in the craft-brewing industry. Few still used by major breweries. Good for dry hopping.
	Possible Substitutions	Centennial, Amarillo, possibly Columbus
	Beer Styles	Pale Ale, IPA, Porter, Barley wines
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Fuggle
	Aroma	Mild and pleasant, earthy and fruity
	Alpha Acids	4.0 - 5.5% w/w
	Storageability	60 - 65% alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20ºC.
	General Perception	Traditional aroma hop. Less acreage grown today as thin industry bought more Willamette (triploid Fuggle) which as a better yield, thus less expensive to purchase.
	Possible Substitutions	UK Fuggle, Willamette, Styrian Golding, US Tettnang
	Beer Styles	Any English style beer or American Ales
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Galena
	Aroma	Medium but pleasant hoppiness, citrussy
	Alpha Acids	12.0 - 14.0% w/w
	Storageability	75 - 80% alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20ºC
	General Perception	An excellent high alpha acids hop with balanced bittering properties combined with an acceptable aroma profile
	Possible Substitutions	Nugget, Pride of Ringwood, Chinook
	Beer Styles	Ale, Porter, Stout, ESB, Bitter
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Golding
	Aroma	Mild, extremely pleasant, and gently hoppy
	Alpha Acids	4.0 - 5.0% w/w
	Storageability	65 - 80% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months at 20ºC.
	General Perception	The East Kent Golding is the undisputed finest Ale-hop in the world. Limited but stable acreage, gaining in popularity.
	Possible Substitutions	UK Kent Golding, Whitbread Golding Variety, UK Progress, and possibly the Fuggle family
	Beer Styles	Pale Ale, ESB, all English style beers
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Hallertau
	Aroma	Very mild, pleasant, and slightly flowery, some spicy
	Alpha Acids	3.5 - 5.5% w/w
	Storageability	52 - 58% alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20ºC.
	General Perception	Traditional superior aroma hop
	Possible Substitutions	Liberty, Ultra, German Hallertau, Tradition
	Beer Styles	Lager, Pilsner, Bock, Wheat
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Horizon
	Aroma	Pleasant hoppy
	Alpha Acids	11.0 - 13.0% w/w
	Storageability	Normal
	General Perception	Good potential as a medium alpha, good aroma, duel purpose hop.
	Possible Substitutions	Magnum or high alpha of choice
	Beer Styles	Ale, Lager
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Liberty
	Aroma	Mild and pleasant, quite fine, has a slightly spicy character
	Alpha Acids	3.0 - 5.0% w/w
	Storageability	35 - 55% alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20ºC.
	General Perception	Aroma variety with close similarities to imported German aroma varieties, especially Hallertau
	Possible Substitutions	U.S. or German Hallertau, Tradition, Ultra, Mt. Hood
	Beer Styles	Lager, Pilsner, Bock, Wheat
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Magnum
	Aroma	Good bitter quality
	Alpha Acids	12.0 - 14.0% w/w
	Storageability	Very good
	General Perception	Gaining increasing acceptance as a bittering hop.
	Possible Substitutions	TBA
	Beer Styles	TBA
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Mt Hood
	Aroma	Mild, pleasant and clean, somewhat pungent and resiny
	Alpha Acids	5.0 - 8.0% w/w
	Storageability	50 - 60% alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20ºC.
	General Perception	Aroma variety with marked similarities to the German Hallertauer and Hersbrucker varieties. Most popular hop in the triploid Hallertau breeding program, partly due to the fact it was the first one released from the program
	Possible Substitutions	Crystal, French Strisslespalt, Hersbrucker
	Beer Styles	Lager, Pilsner, Bock, Wheat
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Northern Brewer
	Aroma	Medium-strong, some wild American tones
	Alpha Acids	8.0 - 10.0% w/w
	Storageability	70 - 85% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20ºC.
	General Perception	A true dual-purpose hop, containing moderate amounts of alpha acids combined with an acceptable aroma profile.
	Possible Substitutions	Chinook, German Northern Brewer
	Beer Styles	ESB, Bitter, English Pale Ale, Porter
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Nugget
	Aroma	Quite heavy and herbal
	Alpha Acids	12.0 - 14.0% w/w
	Storageability	70 - 80% alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20ºC
	General Perception	A high alpha acids hop with a good aroma profile
	Possible Substitutions	Columbus, Chinook, Wye Target, Galena, Magnum
	Beer Styles	Ales, Stout
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Perle
	Aroma	Pleasant and slightly spicy
	Alpha Acids	7.0 - 9.5% w/w
	Storageability	80 - 85% alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20º C
	General Perception	A hop with German type aroma properties combined with moderate bittering potential. Popular hop
	Possible Substitutions	German Perle, Chinook, German and U.S. Northern Brewer
	Beer Styles	Pale Ale, Porter, Lager
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Saaz
	Aroma	Very mild and pleasant, spicy and earthy
	Alpha Acids	3.0 - 4.5% w/w
	Storageability	45 - 55% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at room temperature.
	General Perception	Available in small quantities. Aroma is strongly reminiscent of Czech Saaz but not as much acreage grown.
	Possible Substitutions	Polish Lublin, Czech Saaz
	Beer Styles	Pilsner, Lager, Wheat
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Santiam
	Aroma	Noble characteristics
	Alpha Acids	5 - 7% w/w
	Storageability	Fair
	General Perception	New hop, but has been well received
	Possible Substitutions	German Tettnang, German Spalt, German Spalt Select
	Beer Styles	Lager, U.S. Ales, Pilsner
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Sterling
	Aroma	Herbal, spicy, pleasant hint of floral and citrus
	Alpha Acids	6 - 9% w/w
	Storageability	Good
	General Perception	Appears to be something between a Saaz and a Mt. Hood. Being looked at by some major breweries. Preliminary results have been favorable.
	Possible Substitutions	Saaz, Polish Lublin
	Beer Styles	Lager, Ale, Pilsner
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Tettnang
	Aroma	Very fine and slightly spicy
	Alpha Acids	4.0 - 5.0% w/w
	Storageability	55 - 60% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20ºC.
	General Perception	A true noble aroma variety
	Possible Substitutions	German Spalt Select, German Spalt, Santiam
	Beer Styles	Lager, U.S. Ales, Pilsner, Wheat
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Ultra
	Aroma	Very good to outstanding, some Saaz-like qualities
	Alpha Acids	2.0 - 3.5% w/w
	Storageability	65 - 80% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20ºC.
	General Perception	Early evaluations reported aroma as outstanding but low alpha levels have deterred some users. Very similar aroma to Hallertau Mittelfrüh
	Possible Substitutions	Liberty, Hallertau, Tradition, Saaz
	Beer Styles	Lager, Pilsner, Wheat, finish hop in Ales
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Willamette
	Aroma	Mild and pleasant, slightly spicy, fruity, floral, little earthy
	Alpha Acids	4.0 - 6.0% w/w
	Storageability	60 - 65% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20ºC.
	General Perception	A quality aroma hop, many acres currently being grown in the U.S.
	Possible Substitutions	U.S. Fuggle, U.S. Tettnang, Styrian Golding
	Beer Styles	Pale Ale, ESB, Bitter, English style Ales, Porter, Stouts

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Imported Hops

Admiral (UK)
	Aroma	Used for it's bittering potential
	Alpha Acids	13.5 - 16.0% w/w
	Storageability	Good
	General Perception	Looks to be a good replacement for high alpha and duel purpose hops for brewing
	Possible Substitutions	Target, Northdown, Challenger
	Beer Styles	Ale
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Brambling Cross (UK)
	Aroma	Quite mild and not unpleasant, fruity currant Aroma
	Alpha Acids	5.0 - 7.0% w/w
	Storageability	60 - 70% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20º C.
	General Perception	Acceptable general-purpose aroma hop but lacking the fineness of Golding aroma. Originally bred as a replacement for the Goldings, good all around English hop.
	Possible Substitutions	Kent Golding, Progress, Whitbred's Golding Variety
	Beer Styles	ESB, Bitter, pale Ale
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Brewer's Gold (Germany)
	Aroma	Black current, fruity, spicy
	Alpha Acids	5.5 - 6.5% w/w
	Storageability	Average
	General Perception	Mainly used as a bittering hop
	Possible Substitutions	Northdown, Northern Brewer, Galena, Bullion
	Beer Styles	Ale, heavier German style lagers
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Challenger (UK)
	Aroma	Mild to moderate, quite spicy
	Alpha Acids	6.5 - 8.5% w/w
	Storageability	70-85% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months at 20º C.
	General Perception	One of the few recognized dual-purpose hops combining moderate amounts of alpha acids with a good kettle hop aroma.
	Possible Substitutions	U.S. or German Perle, Northern Brewer
	Beer Styles	English style Ale, Porter, Stout, ESB. Bitter
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First Gold (UK)
	Aroma	A little like a Golding, spicy
	Alpha Acids	6.5 - 8.5% w/w
	Storageability	Very good
	General Perception	First commercial dwarf hop designed for aroma consideration in England, a very promising hop.
	Possible Substitutions	Kent Golding, maybe Crystal
	Beer Styles	Ale, ESB
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Fuggle (UK)
	Aroma	Mild, pleasant, hoppy, robust hop
	Alpha Acids	4.0 - 5.5% w/w
	Storageability	70 - 80% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months at 20º C.
	General Perception	A hop long associated with typical English Ale brewing. Imparts good hoppy late-hop flavor
	Possible Substitutions	U.S. Fuggle, Willamette, Styrian Golding
	Beer Styles	All English style Ales, ESB, Bitter, Lager
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Hallertau (Germany)
	Aroma	Mild and pleasant.
	Alpha Acids	3.5- 5.0% w/w
	Storageability	50 - 60% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at room temperature.
	General Perception	The classic German aroma hop associated with Bavarian style Lager and Pilsner beers.
	Possible Substitutions	Liberty, German Tradition, Ultra
	Beer Styles	Lager, Bock, Pilsner and maybe Weizen
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Hallertau (New Zealand)
	Aroma	Nice resiny, citrusy characteristic
	Alpha Acids	7 - 9% w/w
	Storageability	TBA
	General Perception	TBA
	Possible Substitutions	TBA
	Beer Styles	Mainly used for organic beer
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Hersbrucker (Germany)
	Aroma	Mild to semi-strong, pleasant, hoppy
	Alpha Acids	2.5 - 4.0% w/w
	Storageability	55 - 65% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months at 20º C
	General Perception	Good to very good aroma hop
	Possible Substitutions	Mt. Hood, French Strisslespalt
	Beer Styles	Lager, Pilsner, Weizen Bock, Wheat
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Kent Golding (UK)
	Aroma	Gentle, fragrant, and pleasant
	Alpha Acids	4.0 - 5.5% w/w
	Storageability	65 - 80% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months at 20º C.
	General Perception	The classic English Ale hop which has been used extensively in kettle hopping and for dry hopping.
	Possible Substitutions	U.S. Golding, Whitbred's Golding Variety, Progress
	Beer Styles	All English style Ales, ESB, Bitter
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Magnum (Germany)
	Aroma	No real distinct aroma character, so is viewed favorably as a clean bittering hop
	Alpha Acids	12.0 - 14.0% w/w
	Storageability	Very good
	General Perception	This high-alpha variety is a very promising new breed from the Hop Research Institution in Hüll with good resistance characteristics, high yield and good growth.
	Possible Substitutions	Taurus, Columbus, Nugget
	Beer Styles	Lagers, Pilsner types, Stout. Typically base bitterness in lager beers (commonly used as a first hop addition)
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Northdown (UK)
	Aroma	Fruity with some spicy
	Alpha Acids	7.5 - 9.5% w/w
	Storageability	60 - 70% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20º C.
	General Perception	A true dual-purpose hop with moderate bitteringpotential and excellent flavor/aroma characteristics.
	Possible Substitutions	TBA
	Beer Styles	All Ales, Porter
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Norther Brewer (Germany)
	Aroma	Medium-strong with some wild American tones
	Alpha Acids	7.0 - 9.0% w/w
	Storageability	70 - 80% alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20º C
	General Perception	A true dual-purpose hop containing moderate amounts of alpha acids combined with an acceptable aroma profile.
	Possible Substitutions	Chinook, U.S. Northern Brewer, German Brewer's Gold
	Beer Styles	ESB, Bitter, English Pale Ale, Porter, Lager
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Perle (Germany)
	Aroma	Moderately intense, good and hoppy, fruity and a little spicy
	Alpha Acids	5.0 - 7.5% w/w
	Storageability	70 - 80% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at room temperature.
	General Perception	A well accepted dual-purpose hop with a good combination of balanced bittering and highly acceptable aroma properties.
	Possible Substitutions	U.S. Perle, Northern Brewer
	Beer Styles	Pale Ale, Porter, Lager, Pilsner
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Phoenix (UK)
	Aroma	Similar to Wye Challenger
	Alpha Acids	7.0 - 9.0% w/w
	Storageability	Very Good
	General Perception	Too new to tell
	Possible Substitutions	Northdown, Kent Golding, Challenger
	Beer Styles	All Ales
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Pioneer (UK)
	Aroma	A mild typical English Aroma
	Alpha Acids	8.0 - 10.0% w/w
	Storageability	Good
	General Perception	Looks to be a good duel purpose hop
	Possible Substitutions	Kent Golding
	Beer Styles	Ale, ESB
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Polish Lublin
	Aroma	Mild and typical of noble aroma types, spicy, herbal
	Alpha Acids	3.0 - 4.5% w/w
	Storageability	40 - 55% alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20º C
	General Perception	Another source of the classical noble-aroma type hop with long and strong traditions
	Possible Substitutions	U.S. Saaz, Czech Saaz, US Tettnang
	Beer Styles	Pilsner
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Pride of Ringwood
	Aroma	Quite pronounced but not unpleasant, woody, earthy, herbal
	Alpha Acids	7.0 - 10.0% w/w
	Storageability	45 - 55% alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20º C
	General Perception	Predominantly a bittering hop but with interesting aromatic qualities
	Possible Substitutions	Galena, Cluster
	Beer Styles	Australian lagers
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Progress (UK)
	Aroma	Moderately strong, good Aroma
	Alpha Acids	5.0 - 7.5% w/w
	Storageability	60 - 80% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months at 20º C.
	General Perception	A robust hop aroma type with moderate bittering potential, somewhat similar to a Fuggle.
	Possible Substitutions	Kent Golding, Fuggle
	Beer Styles	Ale, Bitter, ESB, Porter
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Saaz (Czechoslovakia)
	Aroma	Very mild with pleasant hoppy notes, earthy, spicy, herbal
	Alpha Acids	3.0 - 4.5% w/w
	Storageability	45 - 55% alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20ºC
	General Perception	The classical "noble" aroma hop with long and strong traditions. Associated with the renowned Pilsener Lager. Extremely popular with the craft-brewing industry.
	Possible Substitutions	U.S. Saaz, Polish Lublin
	Beer Styles	Pilsner
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Select (Germany)
	Aroma	Very fine Spalter type Aroma
	Alpha Acids	4.0 - 5.5% w/w
	Storageability	Good
	General Perception	Like the Spalt/Tettnang/Saaz group.
	Possible Substitutions	U.S. Saaz, US Tettnang, German Spalt
	Beer Styles	Lager, any beer where noble aroma is wanted (i.e. Pilsner)
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Spalt (Germany)
	Aroma	Mild and pleasant, slightly spicy
	Alpha Acids	4.0 - 5.0% w/w
	Storageability	50 - 60% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months at 20º C
	General Perception	Traditional, very fine or noble aroma hop
	Possible Substitutions	U.S. Saaz, US Tettnang, German Spalt Select
	Beer Styles	Lager, Pilsner
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Stisslespalt (France)
	Aroma	Medium intensity, pleasant, hoppy
	Alpha Acids	3.0 - 5.0% w/w
	Storageability	60 - 70% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months at 20º C
	General Perception	Good to very good aroma hop
	Possible Substitutions	Mt. Hood, Crystal, Hersbruck
	Beer Styles	Pilsner, Lager, Wheat
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Styrian Golding
	Aroma	Delicate, slightly spicy
	Alpha Acids	4.5 - 6.0% w/w
	Storageability	65 - 80% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months at 20º C.
	General Perception	A world-renowned aroma hop with widespread usage in both Ale and Lager brewing.
	Possible Substitutions	U.S. Fuggle, Willamette, Fuggle
	Beer Styles	English Style Ale, ESB, Lager
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Target (UK)
	Aroma	Pleasant English hop aroma, quite intense
	Alpha Acids	9.5 - 12.5% w/w
	Storageability	45 - 55% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20º C
	General Perception	A good high alpha variety with an acceptable to desirable kettle hop Aroma
	Possible Substitutions	Fuggle, Willamette
	Beer Styles	All Ales and lagers
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Tettnang (Germany)
	Aroma	Mild and pleasant, slightly spicy, herbal
	Alpha Acids	3.0 - 4.5% w/w
	Storageability	55 - 60% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months at 20º C
	General Perception	Traditional, very fine or noble aroma hop
	Possible Substitutions	German Spalt, German Spalter Select, U.S. Tettnang, Saaz
	Beer Styles	Lager, Ale, Pilsner
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Tradition (Germany)
	Aroma	Very fine and similar to H. Mittelfrüh
	Alpha Acids	5.0 - 7.0% w/w
	Storageability	Very good
	General Perception	Only recently released so too early for general consensus. Bred to replace Hallertau Mittelfrüh in German growing areas.
	Possible Substitutions	Liberty, Hallertau Mittelfrüh, Ultra
	Beer Styles	Lager, Pilsner, Bock, maybe Weizen
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WVG (UK)
	Aroma	Quite pleasant and hoppy, moderately intense.
	Alpha Acids	5.0 - 7.0% w/w
	Storageability	60 - 70% of alpha acids remaining after six (6) months storage at 20º C.
	General Perception	A good general purpose aroma variety but lacking the fineness in aroma of a true Golding.
	Possible Substitutions	Kent Golding, Progress
	Beer Styles	Ales
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