Yakima Valley Hops

U.S. Golding hops are the descendant of the legendary English noble variety East Kent Golding. Although commonly called U.S. Golding, this variety was cultivated in British Columbia before making its way to Washington state and Oregon in the early 1990s. U.S. Golding is genetically aligned with EKG and it delivers the same classic noble character, with a brighter citrus edge shaped by its growing region. English heritage meets American-grown expression with notes of lemon, sweet pea, honey and cardamom.

HBC 630 c.v. is an experimental variety from the Hop Breeding Company, a joint venture between John I. Haas and Yakima Chief Ranches. Complex and fruity, it offers a bouquet of cherry and raspberry character alongside with sweet, candy-like esters and lactones that contribute creamy notes of peach and banana. With high alpha (13-14%), HBC 630 pairs nicely with other varieties like Azacca®, Strata® and Barbe Rouge, amplifying its distinctive berry-forward profile. A richly layered hop with sweet, standout flavor.

Loral® was released in 2016 by the Hop Breeding Company, a joint venture between John I. Haas and Yakima Chief Ranches. Known for its approachable, balanced profile, Loral® is often described as a “super noble hop,” offering moderate alpha alongside floral, herbal, and citrus notes — reflecting its blend of American and French heritage. In the fields, Loral is characterized by having numerous small, dense cones with moderate alpha acids. Well suited for pale ales, sessionable beers, and lagers, Loral bridges old-world finesse with new-world punch.

Pekko® is a unique variety released by the ADHA breeding program (now Latitude 46), named for the Finnish god of farming. Pekko offers a complex bouquet of flavor that includes notes fresh lemongrass, lime, mint, sage and chamomile. Pekko invites creativity with potential for uncommon styles like saison, gose, or even a non-traditional pilsner. It also provides solid bittering potential with 13-19% alpha. Where Nordic roots meet modern experimentation, built for brewers who like to color outside the lines.

Released in 2000 by Yakima Chief Ranches, Simcoe® is a dual-purpose hop and a craft beer mainstay, celebrated for its complex bouquet of grapefruit, resinous pine, passionfruit, and signature “dank” notes. Coming in at #3 on our Top 10 Hops list, Simcoe is wildly popular and a staple among craft brewers. Its all-around, dual-purpose versatility (12-15% alpha acids) leaves it capable of carrying a beer on its own, and complements other hops like Mosaic®, Chinook and Citra®. A timeless, new-world classic with unmistakable character.

Vera is a new hop variety to be released by the USDA ARS in partnership with the Hop Research Council, shining above the rest at the HOPSOURCE sensory evaluation. Vera is a female diploid stemming from parental crosses like Brewer's Gold, a wild Manitoba hop, and a mildew resistant Wild American hop. This new variety takes her name from the eponymous Vera Katherine Charles, one of several USDA mycologists whose sustainability research benefits the hop industry to this day.