Which hop variety has the highest alpha acid percentage by dry weight?

Which hop variety has the highest alpha acid percentage by dry weight?

• A. Chinook
• B. Cascade
• C. Columbus
• D. Amarillo

Answer: (C)

High alpha acid content means more bitterness per amount of hops added, since these alpha acids isomerize during boiling to iso-alpha acids that give beer bitterness. This depends on the dry-weight percentage of alpha acids in the hops. Columbus is known for one of the highest alpha acid contents among common brewing hops, typically in the mid-teens (roughly around 14–16%). That makes it the strongest bittering choice among the options. Chinook is also high-alpha but usually a bit lower on average than Columbus. Cascade is much lower in alpha acids, and Amarillo is in the mid-range, not surpassing Columbus. So Columbus has the highest alpha acid percentage by dry weight.

High alpha acid content means more bitterness per amount of hops added, since these alpha acids isomerize during boiling to iso-alpha acids that give beer bitterness. This depends on the dry-weight percentage of alpha acids in the hops.

Columbus is known for one of the highest alpha acid contents among common brewing hops, typically in the mid-teens (roughly around 14–16%). That makes it the strongest bittering choice among the options. Chinook is also high-alpha but usually a bit lower on average than Columbus. Cascade is much lower in alpha acids, and Amarillo is in the mid-range, not surpassing Columbus. So Columbus has the highest alpha acid percentage by dry weight.