British hops have long been cherished by brewers for their distinctive earthy, floral, and spicy characteristics. While traditional varieties such as Fuggle, Golding, and Challenger have formed the backbone of British ales for years, a new wave of modern hop varieties from the Charles Faram hop development programme is pushing boundaries and redefining British brewing. If you’re looking to experiment in your next batch of beer, read on to discover the best of British hops and why you should give them a try!
Traditional British Hop Varieties
Fuggle
A cornerstone of British brewing since the 19th century, Fuggle offers a delicate balance of earthy, woody, and mild spice notes. It’s a perfect choice for traditional bitters, porters, and milds.
Golding
This quintessential English hop variety, often referred to as East Kent Golding (EKG), is prized for its elegant floral aroma with hints of honey and citrus. It’s widely used in classic English ales and adds a refined complexity.
Challenger
A versatile dual-purpose hop, Challenger brings a pleasant mix of floral, cedar, and subtle fruit notes. It works well in a variety of styles, from bitters to stouts.
Target
Known for its high alpha acid content, Target is an excellent bittering hop with notes of sage, spice, and mild citrus. It’s often used in traditional ales and strong bitters.
Bramling Cross
This unique hop combines the classic British earthiness with dark fruit and berry aromas. It’s particularly well-suited for darker ales, stouts, and porters.
Admiral
A high-alpha variety with smooth bitterness and a pleasant citrus and herbal aroma, Admiral is a great choice for hoppy ales and IPAs.
Modern British Hop Varieties
Thanks to the innovative work of Charles Faram’s hop development programme, British hops have entered a new era. These exciting new varieties bring vibrant fruit-forward flavours and aromas, making them perfect for modern craft beers.
Jester
Bringing a burst of tropical fruit, Jester delivers bold aromas of grapefruit, lychee, and blackcurrant. It’s a fantastic choice for modern IPAs and pale ales.
Harlequin
With intense mango, passionfruit, and peach notes, Harlequin is a game-changer for British hops. It shines in hop-forward styles such as NEIPAs and hoppy pale ales.
Godiva
This versatile hop has a unique combination of tangerine, white grape, and spice. It works beautifully in everything from lagers to hop-forward bitters.
Olicana
A bold, fruity hop with notes of mango, grapefruit, and passionfruit, Olicana is perfect for adding a modern twist to classic styles.
Mystic
With aromas of blackcurrant, citrus, and floral notes, Mystic brings a subtle complexity to IPAs, bitters, and even lagers.
Experiment with Our British Hop Blend!
If you’re not sure where to start, why not try our British Hop Blend? Our team of brewers have carefully selected a combination of modern British hops to create a balanced and flavourful mix. Whether you’re brewing a classic bitter, a hoppy IPA, or a modern Golden Ale, this blend will infuse your beer with a delicious flavour and aroma.
British hops are experiencing a renaissance, and there’s never been a better time to explore their diverse flavours. Whether you love the earthy, floral complexity of Fuggle and Golding or prefer the vibrant, fruit-forward punch of Jester and Harlequin, there’s a British hop variety to suit every recipe. Browse our full selection and bring the best of British hops into your next extract, part grain, or all grain home brewed beer!
