Brewing Values

• Alpha Acids: 11.8%

• Beta Acids: 7.6%

• Total Oil: 1.3 ml/100g

Overview

Comet was originally developed in the 1960s as a bittering hop, but it never quite took off since brewers at the time didn’t like its fruity characteristics. Now that the industry is much more fruit-forward, Comet has become a hit. 2022 was our first commercial crop of Vermont Comet. It packs a punch with strong notes of pink grapefruit, strawberry, and pine.

Comet Hop Profile: Aroma & Flavor

Comet may not be immediately recognizable to craft beer lovers, so it might initially remind you of something much more familiar! Most people know it as a publicly available, more well-rounded alternative to the proprietary Citra variety.

2022 was our first Vermont Comet harvest. The hop packs a punch with pleasant pink notes of strawberry and pine along with some mild herbs and spice. It’s the perfect addition to any IPA.

Comet Hop History

Comet was first developed in England in 1961, but it wasn’t released commercially in the USA until the USDA began working with it in 1974. It was bred from a combination of English Sunshine hops and a wild American variety, and retains noticeable characteristics of each.

Originally, Comet was prized as a hardy and (relatively for the time) high alpha hop that could grow well in the Pacific Northwest. Once super-alpha varieties came along in the 1980s, though, it faded from prominence.

In the early days of its release as a bittering hop, brewers considered Comet to be too fruity and pungent. As brewers’ expectations and public tastes have changed dramatically over the last few decades, Comet’s bright fruit qualities are now embraced. It’s particularly popular in dry hopping, where its flavor and aroma can shine.

Beers that use Comet hops

IPA, Pale Ale, American Ale

When to add Comet hops

Comet is a dual-purpose variety, and can be added at any stage of the brewing process. While initially it was used up front as a bittering hop, it’s now more commonly used in dry-hopping.

Comet Hop substitute options

Citra, Centennial, Columbus, Galena