Currently Available for Purchase From MVH

A French-Canadian originating variety that is reported to have better brewing characteristics and flavors/aromas when grown in the Mid-Atlantic.

Alpha Acids: 4-5%

Aroma: Mild berry/cherry, grapefruit peel, pineapple

Yield: Very High

Maturity: Late

Height: 20'-25'+

Mildew Resistance: Very Good

At MVH, this variety has consistently ranked #1 in grow height, disease resistance, and yields.  It has massive growth range and needs aggressive monitoring and control to regulate lower growth spreading.  It's disadvantages appear to be lower AA% and a high cohumulone content that can lead to harsh bitterness.  It also boasts loose cone sets which could lead to high than normal yield loss from mechanical harvesting as the cones are more fragile.  Lastly, this variety stores poorly at room temperatures and if not used fairly quickly, can lead to onion & garlic aromas/flavors.  It has been reported that CRV can provide light pineapple/tropical notes to beer if used late in the boil.    

Released in 1972, it is considered the standard in citrusy hop character and the "go-to" hop for many growers.

Alpha Acids: 4.5-9%

Aroma: Moderate floral & citrus notes

Yield: Moderate

Maturity: Mid-season

Height: 14'-16'

Mildew Resistance: Very Good 

Cascade can be considered in many respects to be the "Nike" of the hop world.  It can grow in a wide range of soil types, has very good Downy Mildew resistance, and can produce consistently good yields with tight moderately sized cones.  It does have a moderate growth rate at the crown that is fairly easy to control.  Unfortunately, due in large part to its relatively easy ability to grow and flooding of markets, this variety currently offers the lowest return on investment.  However, this is a perfect starter hop for the new grower and one that MVH regularly promotes for these types of situations.

Also known as Wye Challenger, this variety has a diversity of uses in beer and other applications. It showcases characteristics that are too often overlooked by brewers.

Alpha Acids: 6-10%

Aroma: Smooth, sweeter citrus notes, spicy - think orange & curry

Yield: High

Maturity: Mid-season

Height: 9'-13'

Mildew Resistance: Fair 

Challenger is a British variety that has become much more difficult to find growing in the U.S. or for plant sale.  It is a shorter growing variety in the MVH climate, but boasts so many wonderful characteristics to include very large, fat, tight cones and unique flavors/aromas.  It also has a very subdued growth rate at the crown and does not spread out quickly.  We have found that, when paired correctly, this variety can be a wonderful addition to some kombucha recipes.  We also have a brewer who loves Challenger as a fresh wet hopped addition.  However, this variety is more disease prone to Downy Mildew and can have problems with crown rot in wet conditions.  This problem is exacerbated where warm wet winters exist.  If stressed, this variety can produce sterile male flowers in place of cones.

Hybrid super alpha acid variety that can be showcased in many styles of beer.

Alpha Acids: 10-14%

Aroma: Spicy, pine resin, grapefruit peel

Yield: Moderate

Maturity: Mid-season

Height: 14'-16'

Mildew Resistance: Very Good 

If Cascade could be considered the "Nike" of the hop world, then Chinook can be considered the "Reebok" version.  This variety has very good disease resistance to Downy Mildew and produces very nice tight cones.  This is another hop that MVH recommends for new growers as it has similar growing characteristics to Cascade, but with totally different aromas/flavors.  This variety does come out fast and hard in the spring and can need more aggressive controls for bottom growth early on, but levels out more towards summer.

Super high alpha acid variety that may tolerate hotter, dryer climates a little better.

Alpha Acids: 14-17%

Aroma: Very strong & sharp citrus, herbal, resinous

Yield: High

Maturity: Mid-season

Height: 10'-13'

Mildew Resistance: Fair 

Columbus appears to grow exactly like Challenger, but with major aroma/flavor profile differences.  If Challenger and Columbus are to be planted next to each other, it is highly recommended by MVH to keep them far away from each other to prevent confusion and to mark their location.  Unfortunately, while this hop can tolerate hotter climates, it is has also flooded the markets making it harder to sell.    

An American citrusy hop that possesses lighter, lime green leaves compared to the normal darker green of other hop plants.

Alpha Acids: 9-13%

Aroma: Strong grapefruit, pineapple and orange notes

Yields: Moderate

Maturity: Mid-season

Height: 14'-16'

Mildew Resistance: Very Good  

Comet is one of our newest varieties to pass the MVH trials.  It boasts large fat tight cones with strong citrusy notes.  It grows similar to Challenger and Columbus in that it keeps the cones close to the central bine structure, but it does grow taller.  Disease resistance has appeared to be very good for this variety and it is liked by many brewers so far.  Lower crown growth is relatively moderate and manageable.   

A Japanese bred variety that showcases strong citrus aromatics.

Alpha Acids: 6-11%

Aroma: Strong citrus

Yield: High

Maturity: Late

Height: 25'+

Mildew Resistance: Good 

Kirin II is another new variety to our hopyard that has passed the MVH trials.  It grows very similar to Canadian Redvine, but is not as prolific in crown growth and spread as CRV.   I has very long sidearms as well.  It produces large loose cones which could make yield loss from mechanical harvesting more of a problem.  Some users of Kirin have noted strong lemon aromas/flavors from this hop.   

Enhanced version of the German Perle variety that carries very interesting and new aromatics.

Alpha Acids: 10-12%

Aroma: Tropical notes, melon, orange, citrus, spice

Yield: Moderate

Maturity: Mid Season

Height: 20'+

Mildew Resistance: Excellent

Triple Pearl is another variety that has passed the MVH trials and boasts very good disease resistance with excellent growth characteristics.  It comes out hard and fast in the early spring and does not slow down throughout most of the the growing season.  It does take more rigorous control measures to reign in this growth.  However, it does produce good cone sets and aroma/flavor profiles.