Nugget Hops

Nugget Hops Profile

Nugget was bred by the USDA and saw its first commercial harvest in 1983. Since then it has become a mainstay in many big American style beers including IPAs, Stouts, and Barleywines. It is primarily used as a bittering hop due to its high Alpha Acids(recent harvests range from 11-16%), but many highly respected breweries including Green Flash and Toppling Goliath use it for aroma and flavor as well. Nugget’s high myrcene oil content gives it a woody and piney character.

Aroma: Heavy spicy-herbal, and similar to Northern Brewer.
Commercial Examples: Golden Nugget by Toppling Goliath, Imperial IPA by Green Flash, Nugget Nectar by Troegs Brewing
Typical Usage: Bittering mostly.
Pedigree Daughter of Brewers Gold
Aroma Mild, pleasant herbal
Alpha Acids* 11.5 – 14.0 %
Beta Acids 3.0 – 5.0 %
Cohumulone 22 – 30 % of alpha acids
Total Oil 0.9 – 1.3 ml/100g
Myrcene 27 – 42 % of total oil
Humulene 16 – 19 % of total oil
Caryophyllene 7 – 10 % of total oil
Farnesene < 1 % of total oil

EXAMPLES OF BEERS BREWED WITH NUGGET HOPS

Brewers at Three heads use Nugget and Mt. Hood hops together to achieve a thick and roasty stout.

Three Heads Brewing – Big Head Stout

Brewers at Shipyard use Nugget and Cascade hops together to achieve a crisp and refreshing Wheat ale. 

Shipyard Brewing – Blood Orange Wheat Ale

Brewers at New Belgium use Nugget, Cascade, Simcoe, Chinook, Mosaic, and Amarillo hops together to achieve a hop forward and hazy IPA.

New Belgium Brewing – Voodoo Ranger