Hop Pellets – Admiral

Admiral hops are a British hop variety developed by Horticulture Research International (HRI) in Wye, UK. They were introduced in the early 2000s as a high-alpha acid hop, making them an excellent choice for bittering in brewing. Admiral hops are a dual-purpose hop variety, suitable for both bittering and aroma additions.

Flavour & Aroma Profile:

• Aroma: Admiral hops have a pleasant, fruity aroma, characterized by notes of orange, citrus, and hints of herbal spiciness. They also exhibit some subtle earthy and floral tones, which add complexity to their overall profile.
• Flavour: When used in brewing, Admiral hops contribute a clean and assertive bitterness, as well as some fruity and citrus flavours. These flavours complement the aroma profile, with orange and citrus being the most prominent. There are also subtle hints of herbal and earthy notes that can be detected in the background.

Admiral hops are well-suited for use in various British ales, such as bitters, ESBs, and pale ales, as well as in American styles like IPAs, where their unique character can add depth and complexity.

Admiral Hop Pairings:

When pairing Admiral hops with other hop varieties, consider the following options:

• Target: A British hop with a strong, clean bitterness and earthy, herbal, and citrus notes. Pairing it with Admiral can enhance the complexity and depth of your beer, especially in traditional English ales.
• Northdown: This hop variety is known for its moderate bitterness and fruity, earthy, and spicy aroma. It can complement Admiral’s fruity and citrus notes, providing balance and complexity to British ales.
• Cascade: An American hop variety with citrus and floral characteristics, Cascade can add a bright, refreshing twist to the Admiral’s fruity profile, making it suitable for American Pale Ales and IPAs with a British twist.
• Centennial: This American hop variety is known for its strong citrus and floral flavours. Pairing it with Admiral can create an interesting blend of fruitiness, suitable for modern Pale Ales and IPAs.

Admiral Hop Substitutions:

If you’re unable to find Admiral hops or would like to experiment with similar hop varieties, consider the following substitutions:

• Target: A high-alpha British hop variety with a clean bitterness and earthy, herbal, and citrus notes. It can work as a substitute for Admiral in terms of bittering potential, though the flavor profile may slightly differ.
• Northdown: Another British hop variety, Northdown provides a moderate bitterness and a fruity, earthy, and spicy aroma profile. It can be a suitable alternative to Admiral, particularly in traditional British ale styles.
• Challenger: This British hop variety offers a balanced bitterness and a fruity, spicy, and earthy aroma profile. While the fruitiness may be different from Admiral, it can still be a suitable alternative in many beer styles.

Remember that each hop variety has its unique characteristics, and the resulting flavour and aroma may slightly differ when using a substitute. Feel free to experiment and find the perfect balance for your desired beer style.