Origin and Description
Challenger Hops has popularity in beers in England, and was bred at Wye College using Northern Brewer and a German variety in 1961. It is a dual use hops with a moderate alpha acid rating of 6.5%-8.5%. Challenger was released in 1968 was intended to provide high alpha acids, good aroma as well as disease resistance.
Challenger can be added at the beginning of the boil in brewing for its bitterness or as late additions, and dry hopping for its aroma. The flavor of Challenger in beer is smooth, with floral character and some spice. Some of the sweeter citrus flavors will come through in the beer as well. Challenger has great diversity in the beer styles it can be used in, making it one that should be experimented with in home brew and commercial beers.
Challenger has moderate levels of its essential oils. Perhaps this speaks to the balance that it carries in beer. Its a low yielding hops variety for harvesting, yet Challenger has good sized cones.
Challenger Hops Usage
Challenger hops is commonly used for both its aromatic qualities as well as its bittering qualities.
Challenger Hops Characteristics
Below is a list of characteristics for challenger hops that impact farming, chemistry, transport & trade, beer production, as well as the final character of the finished product.
Challenger Hops Acid Composition
| Alpha Acid Composition | 6.5%-8.5% |  |
| Beta Acid Composition | 4%-4.5% |  |
| Co-Humulone Composition | 20%-25% |  |
Challenger Hops Cone Physical Characteristics
| Challenger Lupulin Color | Pale Yellow to Yellow |  |
| Challenger Cone Size | Medium to Large |  |
| Challenger Cone Density | Moderate to Compact |  |
Challenger Hops Growth, Harvest, and Storage Details
| Maturity | Late Season |  |
| Yield | Yield for Challenger Hops is Low at 1400 - 1800 kg/hectare |  |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |  |
| Susceptibility to Disease and Pests | Susceptible To: Verticillium Wilt, Resistent To: Downy Mildew,Powdery Mildew, |  |
| Storability | Challenger Hops maintains 70%-85% alpha acid comtents after 6 months storage at 20 degrees C |  |
| Ease of Harvest | Good |  |
Challenger Hops Oil Composition
| Total Oil Composition | 1-1.7 mls/100 grams |  |
| Myrcene Oil Composition | 30%-42% |  |
| Humulene Oil Composition | 25%-32% |  |
| Caryophyllene Oil Composition | 8%-10% |  |
| Farnesene Oil Composition | 1%-3% |  |
Challenger Hops Substitutes
| Variety | Description |
|---|---|
| Perle (US) | Perle Hops was brought to the United States from a German Selection from the same variety. Originating from the H... |
| Northern Brewer (GR) | Northern Brewer is an England native who is seeing its days live out mainly in Germany and the U.S. There is a separate |
Common Beer Styles for Challenger Hops
| Beer Style |
|---|
| Pale Ale |
| English Brown Ale |
| Red Ale |
| English Ale |
| Bitter |
| Golden Ale |
| Belgian Blonde Ale |
| Porter |
| Stout |
| Extra Special Bitter (ESB) |
| Barley Wine |
| Brown Ale |
