If you’re curious about which hop has the most fruity flavor, Citra Hops is usually at the top of the list. Citra is known for its pure, tropical fruit taste without any extra flavors that can complicate the brew. It delivers intense fruitiness in a simple way.
But Citra isn’t the only hop with a fruity punch. Here’s a list of 11 hops that bring strong fruit flavors to your beer:
- Citra Hops
- Mosaic Hops
- Galaxy Hops
- Nelson Sauvin Hops
- Amarillo Hops
- Idaho 7 Hops
- Motueka Hops
- Talus Hops
- Southern Passion Hops
- Sabro Hops
Citra Hops
If you’re looking for bold, tropical flavors, choose Citra hops.
They’re packed with grapefruit, lime, and passion fruit notes that really pop in IPAs and Pale Ales.
People love using them for dry hopping.
They bring such a clean, fruity punch without any extra baggage.
Key Flavor: Grapefruit, Citrus, Lime, Tropical Fruit, Passion Fruit
Typical Beer Styles: Pale Ale, IPA, DIPA, NEIPA, any Hop Forward style
Hop Pairing: Any “ale” hop
Substitutes: Centennial, Cascade, Comet
Mosaic Hops
Mosaic hops have a tropical-sweet flavor and aroma.
You will taste hints of citrus and dark berries. There’s even a floral note that adds complexity.
This hop is really great for brewing IPA or a NEIPA.
Key Flavor: Tropical, Sweet Citrus, Dark Berries, Black Currant, Roses
Typical Beer Styles: Pale Ale, IPA, DIPA, NEIPA
Hop Pairing: “C” hops, Citra, El Dorado, Amarillo
Substitutes: Ekuanot, El Dorado, Citra
Galaxy Hops
If you want bold & fruity flavors, try Galaxy Hops.
They have intense tropical fruit notes like passion fruit, peach, and bright citrus.
They’re amazing on their own, but pairing them with Citra or Mosaic will takes the flavor to another level.
Key Flavor: Intense Passion Fruit, Sweet Fruits, Peach/Apricot, Bright Citrus
Typical Beer Styles: Pale Ale, IPA, DIPA, NEIPA
Hop Pairing: Citra, Mosaic, El Dorado, Amarillo
Substitutes: Vic Secret
Nelson Sauvin Hops
Nelson Sauvin hops are so unique.
They’ve got this gooseberry and white wine vibe mixed with tropical fruit.
They work beautifully in Belgian-style beers and Pale Ales.
So if you’re looking for something with a fruity wine-like twist, Nelson Sauvin is the hops for you.
Key Flavor: Passionfruit, Gooseberry, White Wine, Lychee, Tropical Fruit, Grapefruit
Typical Beer Styles: Pale Ale, IPA, DIPA, NEIPA, Belgian Ales & Hybrids
Hop Pairing: Citra, Mosaic, El Dorado, Amarillo
Substitutes: Hallertau Blanc
Amarillo Hops
Amarillo has sweet citrus and floral notes, with a touch of melon and peach.
They’re perfect for Pale Ales and IPAs.
People love pairing them with Citra or Mosaic because they complement each other so well.
Key Flavor: Citrus-grapefruit, Sweet Fruit, Melon, Apricot, Peach, Floral
Typical Beer Styles: Pale Ale, IPA, DIPA, NEIPA
Hop Pairing: “C” hops, Mosaic, Citra
Substitutes: Cascade, Centennial, Cashmere
Idaho 7 Hops
If you love tropical fruit flavors with a bit of a piney edge, you’ll want to try Idaho 7. There are also hints of orange and black tea, which add depth.
You can use them in IPAs, and they pair great with Amarillo or El Dorado.
Key Flavor: Tropical Fruits, Orange, Tangerine, Resinous Pine, Black Tea, Apricot
Typical Beer Styles: Pale Ale, IPA, DIPA, NEIPA
Hop Pairing: Amarillo, El Dorado, MI Chinook
Substitutes: Amarillo, El Dorado, MI Chinook
Motueka Hops
Motueka hops are like a tropical mojito!
They bring fresh lime and lemon zest flavors that are super juicy.
They’re the go-to for lagers and Pilsners, but they’re just as good in a Pale Ale when you want a citrusy kick.
Key Flavor: Fresh Lime, Lemon Zest, Orange Spice, Juicy, Tropical, “Mojito”
Typical Beer Styles: Lagers, Pilsners, Pale Ales, IPA, DIPA, NEIPA, and Belgo-North American Hybrids
Hop Pairing: Centennial, MI Chinook
Substitutes: Zuper Saazer, MI Centennial, Saaz
Talus Hops
If you’re into grapefruit and citrus zest, Talus hops are a fantastic choice.
They’ve also got floral and stone fruit notes with a hint of pine.
People use them a lot in wheat beers and IPAs for a fresh, aromatic finish.
Key Flavor: Pink Grapefruit, Citrus Zest, Floral, Stone Fruit, Potpourri, Woody, and Pine
Typical Beer Styles: Wheat Ale, Golden Ale, Pale Ale, IPA, DIPA, NEIPA
Hop Pairing: “C” hops
Substitutes: Cascade, Comet
Southern Passion Hops
Southern Passion hops are incredibly bold.
They’ve got passion fruit, guava, red berries, and melon all wrapped up in one.
If you’re looking to experiment with new flavors in IPAs or hybrid styles, you must try them.
Key Flavor: Passion Fruit, Guava, Red Berries, Melon, Currants, Grapefruit, Tangerine
Typical Beer Styles: Ales, IPA, DIPA, NEIPA, and Belgo-North American Hybrids
Hop Pairing: Cascade, El Dorado, Barbe Rouge
Substitutes: Cascade, Dragon, Mosaic
Sabro Hops
Coconut and citrus in a hop?
Sabro brings a creamy, caramel vibe that’s perfect for tropical-themed IPAs.
Key Flavor: Coconut, Citrus, Tangerine, Sweet Fruit, Stone Fruit, Cream Caramel, Vanilla
Typical Beer Styles: Pale Ale, IPA, DIPA, NEIPA
Hop Pairing: “C” hops, Citra, El Dorado
Substitutes: HBC 472, HBC 630, Strata
A Simple Recipe for a Fruity Homebrew
Love fruity beers? Here’s an easy recipe to try brewing your own at home:
Ingredients:
- Malted barley (8 lbs pale malt)
- Hops: Citra (1 oz), Mosaic (1 oz), Galaxy (1 oz)
- Yeast: American Ale Yeast
- Water (5 gallons)
Instructions:
- Mashing: Heat 3 gallons of water to 160°F, then add your barley. Maintain the temperature for 1 hour to extract the sugars.
- Boiling: Strain the liquid (wort) into a pot, and bring it to a boil. Add 1 oz of Citra hops at the start.
- Dry Hop Addition: After the boil, cool the wort and add Mosaic hops for a bright tropical aroma.
- Fermenting: Transfer the cooled wort to a fermenter, add yeast, and let it ferment for 1-2 weeks.
- Final Touch: Add Galaxy hops during fermentation for extra tropical fruit flavors.
- Bottling: After fermentation, bottle your beer and let it carbonate for 1-2 weeks. Enjoy your fruity homebrew!
How to Properly Store Your Beer
To keep your fruity homebrew fresh:
- Store in a cool, dark place to preserve the hop aroma and flavor.
- Avoid exposing bottles to heat or sunlight, which can degrade the beer’s quality.
- Consume within a few months for the best flavor profile.
Choose Michigan Hops from Hop Head Farms
At Hop Head Farms, we grow top-quality Michigan hops that add amazing flavor and aroma to your beer.
Whether you’re brewing a juicy NEIPA, a crisp lager, or a bold IPA, our hops will help take your beer to the next level. We’re passionate about providing the best hops for brewers, with consistent quality you can trust.
You can also buy in bulk. Buy your hops on Hop Head Farms today!
Summary of Key Points
- The top fruity hops include Citra, Mosaic, Galaxy, and more, each offering unique tropical and stone fruit flavors.
- Fruity hops bring mango, passion fruit, apricot, and citrus notes, perfect for craft beer styles like IPAs and pale ales.
- Brewing at home is simple: use quality ingredients, follow a clear recipe, and experiment with dry hop additions for bold flavors.
- Properly storing your beer ensures the fruity aroma and flavor remain intact.
Enjoy creating your own fruity beers and exploring the world of tropical and stone fruit hops!
Q. Which hops taste like passionfruit?
A. Hops like Galaxy, Citra, and Mosaic often have passionfruit-like flavors. Galaxy is particularly known for its strong tropical fruit profile, with passionfruit standing out prominently.
Q. What is the hoppiest beer?
A. The hoppiest beers are typically Double IPAs or Imperial IPAs, such as Russian River’s Pliny the Elder or The Alchemist’s Heady Topper. These beers are packed with hops to maximize bitterness, aroma, and flavor.
Q. What are the top 3 hops?
A. The most popular hops often include:
- Citra – Known for its citrusy and tropical flavors.
- Cascade – A classic with floral, citrus, and grapefruit notes.
- Mosaic – Loved for its complex fruity and earthy flavor profile.
Q. Do hops taste fruity?
A. Yes, many hops taste fruity. Depending on the variety, hops can mimic flavors like citrus, mango, passionfruit, pineapple, or berries. Modern hops are bred to emphasize these fruity notes, especially in IPAs.
Q. What hops taste like mango?
A. Hops like Mosaic, Amarillo, and Galaxy often have mango-like flavors. Mosaic is especially known for its juicy tropical notes, with mango being a standout.
Q. What hops taste like pineapple?
A. Hops such as Sabro, El Dorado, and Citra often produce pineapple-like flavors. Sabro is particularly known for its tropical fruit notes, including pineapple and coconut.
