Luppolo nomi Citra Mosaic Galaxy breeding storia

How a hop earns its name

How a Hop Earns Its Name - Complete Guide to Hop Nomenclature

Hops are trendy. And we don't just mean super-hopped beers, which still have strong rivals in other style families, like Lager, Imperial Stout, or spontaneous fermentations. Hops, instead, reign supreme as the ingredients that enjoy the greatest fame and create the most hype in the beer world.

You've never seen labels with the names of malts or yeasts used written in huge letters, right? But how many times have you read CITRA, MOSAIC or IDAHO 7? Have you ever wondered where these names come from and what journey a hop variety must go through before entering the recipes of breweries worldwide?

The Charm of Hop Names

Why Do Hops Have Such Evocative Names?

Hop names have become an integral part of beer marketing. Unlike malts and yeasts, hops have names that evoke:

Organoleptic characteristics:

  • Citra: Evokes citrus
  • Mosaic: Suggests complexity of aromas
  • Galaxy: Calls to mind a universe of flavors
  • Amarillo: Indicates yellow/golden notes

Geographical origin:

  • Idaho 7: From the state of Idaho
  • Cascade: From the Cascade mountains
  • Hallertau: From the German region
  • Saaz: From the Czech town

Creative names and marketing:

  • Sabro: Catchy commercial name
  • Strata: Evokes layering of aromas
  • Enigma: Suggests mystery
  • Talus: Evocative geological name

The Journey of a Hop: From Selection to Name

1. Selection and Breeding

Breeding programs:

  • Universities and research centers: Washington State University, Oregon State University
  • Private companies: Yakima Chief Hops, Hop Breeding Company
  • National programs: Germany (Hüll), Czech Republic, New Zealand

Breeding goals:

  • Innovative aromas (tropical, fruity, citrus)
  • Resistance to diseases and pests
  • Yield per hectare
  • Alpha acid content (bitterness)
  • Essential oil content (aromas)
  • Climate adaptability

2. Experimental Phase

Numeric codes:

Initially, experimental hops receive alphanumeric codes:

  • HBC (Hop Breeding Company): HBC 472 (later became Citra), HBC 682 (Sabro)
  • USDA: USDA 19058 (later became Cascade)
  • CLS (Charles Faram): CLS 75 (later became Jester)

Cultivation tests:

  • Field trials for 3-5 years
  • Yield evaluation
  • Disease resistance
  • Climate adaptability
  • Genetic stability

3. Organoleptic Evaluation

Brewing trials:

  • Partner breweries test experimental hops
  • Evaluation of aromas and flavors
  • Bitterness and balance tests
  • Feedback from brewers and consumers

Chemical analysis:

  • Alpha acid content (bitterness)
  • Beta acid content
  • Essential oil profile (myrcene, caryophyllene, humulene)
  • Aromatic potential

4. Choosing the Commercial Name

Naming criteria:

Memorability:

  • Easy to remember name
  • Simple pronunciation
  • Evocative and catchy

Marketability:

  • Attractive to brewers
  • Recognizable by consumers
  • Differentiation from competitors

Legal protection:

  • Trademark availability check
  • Name registration
  • International protection

Famous Examples of Hops and Their Names

Citra (HBC 472)

History:

  • Original code: HBC 472
  • Developed by: Hop Breeding Company
  • Year of release: 2008
  • Name: Evokes citrus
  • Aromas: Lime, grapefruit, passion fruit, lychee
  • Use: IPA, Pale Ale, Wheat Beer

Mosaic (HBC 369)

History:

  • Original code: HBC 369
  • Developed by: Hop Breeding Company
  • Year of release: 2012
  • Name: Mosaic of complex aromas
  • Aromas: Mango, pine, citrus, tropical fruits, herbs
  • Use: IPA, NEIPA, Pale Ale

Galaxy

History:

  • Origin: Australia
  • Year of release: 2009
  • Name: Universe of flavors
  • Aromas: Passion fruit, peach, citrus
  • Use: IPA, Pale Ale, hoppy Lager

Cascade

History:

  • Original code: USDA 56013
  • Developed by: USDA (Oregon State University)
  • Year of release: 1972
  • Name: Cascade Mountains (Oregon/Washington)
  • Aromas: Citrus, flowers, spices
  • Use: American Pale Ale, IPA (style pioneer)

Sabro (HBC 682)

History:

  • Original code: HBC 682
  • Developed by: Hop Breeding Company
  • Year of release: 2018
  • Name: Evokes flavor (Spanish "sabor")
  • Aromas: Coconut, tropical, citrus, cedar
  • Use: NEIPA, IPA, Lager

Categories of Hop Names

Geographical Names

Examples:

  • Hallertau: German region
  • Saaz: Czech city (Žatec)
  • Fuggle: English variety (named after the grower Richard Fuggle)
  • Golding: English variety (named after the grower)
  • Styrian: Slovenia (Styria)

Descriptive Names

Examples:

  • Amarillo: Yellow (Spanish)
  • Citra: Citrus
  • Mosaic: Mosaic of aromas
  • Galaxy: Universe of flavors
  • Enigma: Mystery

Creative/Marketing Names

Examples:

  • Sabro: Flavor
  • Strata: Stratification
  • Talus: Geological
  • Loral: Floral
  • Ekuanot: Creative name (ex-Equinox)

Numerical Names/Codes

Examples:

  • Idaho 7: Seventh hop developed in Idaho
  • Experimental 366, 630, etc.: Hops still in experimental phase

The Role of Marketing

Hop Branding

Strategies:

  • Storytelling: Telling the story of hops
  • Visual identity: Distinctive logo and packaging
  • Collaborations: With famous breweries for the launch
  • Events: Tastings and presentations
  • Social media: Online campaigns

Hype and demand

"Cult" hops:

  • Citra: Always highly sought after
  • Mosaic: NEIPA icon
  • Galaxy: Australian symbol
  • Sabro: New phenomenon

Scarcity and value:

  • Limited hops create hype
  • Higher prices for rare varieties
  • Multi-year contracts between growers and breweries

Legal protection and intellectual property

Patents and trademarks

Protection:

  • Plant patents: Protect hop genetics
  • Trademarks: Protect the commercial name
  • Royalties: Growers pay to cultivate protected varieties
  • Licenses: Control over distribution

Examples:

  • Citra® is a registered trademark
  • Mosaic® is a registered trademark
  • Sabro™ is a registered trademark

The future of hops

New varieties arriving

Trends:

  • Tropical aromas: Mango, passion fruit, guava
  • "Dank" aromas: Resin, pine, cannabis-like
  • Fruity aromas: Berries, peach, apricot
  • Sustainability: Varieties resistant to drought and diseases

Innovations in breeding

Technologies:

  • Marker-assisted selection (MAS)
  • Genomic analysis
  • Accelerated breeding
  • Focus on sustainability

How brewers choose hops

Selection criteria

Factors:

  • Aroma profile: Compatibility with style
  • Alpha acids: Desired bitterness level
  • Availability: Ease of sourcing
  • Price: Brewery budget
  • Freshness: Harvest year
  • Reputation: Popularity among consumers

Hop blends

Popular combinations:

  • Citra + Mosaic: Classic for NEIPA
  • Galaxy + Citra: Intense tropical
  • Cascade + Centennial: Classic American Pale Ale
  • Sabro + Idaho 7: Modern and complex

Conclusion

The journey that takes a hop from the field to fame is long and complex. From genetic selection to breeding, from field tests to brewing trials, up to choosing the commercial name and market launch, every phase is crucial.

Key points:

  • Hops start with alphanumeric codes (HBC 472, USDA 19058)
  • They are tested for years before release
  • The commercial name is crucial for success
  • Marketing and branding create hype and demand
  • Legal protection guarantees economic value
  • New varieties continue to emerge

Next time you see CITRA, MOSAIC or IDAHO 7 on a label, you'll know that behind that name lies years of research, selection, and marketing!

For more details, we recommend this article from Beervana.

Discover hoppy beers with the best hops on Maltese.beer! 🌿🍺

Back to blog

Scopri la selezione su Maltese.beer

Su Maltese.beer trovi il riferimento italiano per acquistare birre artigianali online: selezione curata, spedizione in tutta Europa, packaging anti-rottura.