Overview
Willamette was developed as an American substitute to the classic “noble” hops grown in Europe (particularly the disease-prone, low-yield Fuggle from England). It’s generally known as a mild, somewhat spicy and grassy hop with much less fruit notes than most American varieties. Our Vermont Willamette is similar, with notes of rooibos tea, hay, and black pepper. Vermont Willamette is an excellent choice for lagers and styles that are designed to be crisp, clean, and not overwhelmingly hoppy.
Willamette Hop Profile: Aroma & Flavor
Willamette is known for being a relatively mild, low alpha variety. It also features less prominent fruity notes compared with other American varieties, especially those common in IPAs. Instead, it’s much more reminiscent of the herbaceous and spicy “Noble” European varieties it descended from.
Our Vermont Willamette has a sensory profile that’s less fruit forward than our other varieties, with notes of tea, hay, and and black pepper. It’s the ideal choice for a crisp, clean lager or silky smooth stout!
Willamette Hop History
While Willamette hop production has fallen from the top of the charts recently, this is a classic American variety that used to account for almost 20% of the nation’s crop. It’s bred from Fuggle hops, a classic English variety, and brings along similar sensory notes (spiciness, earthiness, and floral overtones). That’s why it’s an ideal American substitute for the so-called “Noble Hops” that were used to make early European beers.
Willamette was released in 1976 by the USDA breeding program in Oregon, and shares the name of the region in which it was developed. It was actually requested by Annheuser Busch, who wanted a hardier and higher-yield alternative to the Fuggle variety, with similar sensory notes.
Willamette became popular with both craft brewers and mainstream players, until it was eventually dropped by Budweiser and declined in production.
Beers that use Willamette hops
Pilsner, Kolsch, Porter, Stout, Blonde Ale, Brown Ale, Red Ale, ESB
When to add Willamette hops
Willamette is dual-purpose, like all our core varieties, and is often used in stages throughout the brewing process.
What hops go well with Willamette?
Nugget, Simcoe, Cascade, Golding, CTZ
Willamette hop substitute options
Fuggle, Tettanger, Golding, Delta, Columbia, Sterling
