Aurora Hops: The Secret to Make Your Beer Taste Out of This World

Reading Time: around 13 min

Aurora hops are the unsung heroes nestled in your pint glass. Imagine a hop that can wrestle your senses with noble grace and a smack of spice. That’s Aurora for you. This Slovenian variety, often dubbed as Super Styrian, is more than just a pretty name.

It’s a chameleon in the brewery.

Bringing a little bit of everything to the party without overpowering the other guests. Whether you’re a hophead, a casual sipper, or a staunch beer judge, Aurora hops have something for your taste buds without trying too hard.

Think of Aurora hops as the Swiss Army knife in a brewer’s toolkit.

Looking for a subtle bitterness? Aurora hops have got you covered. Dreaming of an aroma that weaves through floral, piney, and earthy notes without causing a traffic jam in your nose? Look no further.

The best part? They play nice with a variety of beer styles.

From classic English ales that tip their hat to tradition to those rebellious American Pale Ales that march to the beat of their own drum. Aurora hops are the wingman every beer style wishes it had.

Key Takeaways

Aurora hops are versatile with a balance of spice, floral, and resin aromas.
Suitable for a range of beer styles, they excel in English ales and American Pale Ales.
They add a gentle, harmonious bitterness without stealing the show.

Aurora Hops Overview

You’re about to leap into the world of Aurora hops, and let me tell you, it’s as exciting as finding a hidden treasure in your backyard. Assuming your backyard is full of beer.

Origin and History

Aurora hops, your newest botanical buddy, hail from Slovenia. Land of picturesque landscapes and top-tier hop breeding. Born from the Hop Research Institute’s magical crossbreeding rituals.

Aurora is the peppier offspring of Northern Brewer and a TG hop, making it a Slovenian sensation. And Styrian Golding’s distant, more flamboyant cousin. Once upon a time, in a town called Zalec, former Yugoslavia…

…your little green friend entered the world and changed it for the better.

Characteristics of Aurora Hops

Lean in for the scoop. Aurora hops pack an aromatic punch that will tickle your nostrils with delight. The total oil content sits at a cozy range, with myrcene oil strutting its stuff as the life of the party in its chemical composition.

Most importantly Aurora has a floral, spicy, and herbal character, with notes of citrus, pine, and even a hint of woodiness. This makes them a great choice for adding depth and complexity to a beer’s flavor profile.

And that godly strong hoppiness…

Now, let’s get down to brass tacks with some numbers.

Purpose: Dual / Universal
Aromas: Strong Hoppy, Noble, Spicy, Floral, Resinous
Notes: Herbal, Tropical, Lemongrass
Alpha-acids: 7.0% – 12.0% [bitterness added through boiling]
Beta-acids: 3.0% – 5.0% [bitterness added through lagering]
Cohumulone: 23% – 28% of alpha-acids [bitterness profile: low = smooth, high = sharp]
Hops oil breakdown: 0.9 – 1.4 mL / 100g [responsible for flavors and aromas]
- Myrcene: 35% – 53% [resinous, citrus, fruity]
- Humulene: 20% – 27% [noble, woody, spicy]
- Caryophyllene: 6% – 9% [spicy, piney, herbal]
- Farnesene: 5% – 10% [fresh, green, floral]

All this means is that Aurora can swing both ways. Bittering and aroma – making it a true dual-purpose hop. Alpha acid percentages dance around 7-12%, while beta acid percentages shimmy in at 3-5%.

Co-humulone is at moderate levels, so when it comes to bitterness…

…Aurora’s like adding a sprinkle of spicy drama rather than a full-on soap opera.

Aurora in Brewing

Now, grab your brewer’s hat, and let’s talk shop. When you throw Aurora hops into the mix, you’re setting the stage for a flavor fiesta that’ll make your taste buds dance the polka.

Picture this. A fine brew infused with a floral bouquet and a citrusy zing so refreshing you’ll wonder if you’ve tumbled into a beer commercial. Aurora hops straddle the line between aroma and bitterness.

Which means they’re your go-to for concocting a range of beer styles.

From an English Pale Ale that respects tradition to an American IPA that likes to party, Aurora’s versatility will have you brewing like a pro. Bless to that!

Brewing With Aurora Hops

So you’ve got your hands on some Aurora hops, huh? Brace yourself for a ride through a garden of brewing possibilities that these bad boys will bring to your beer.

Beer Styles Suited for Aurora Hops

This is where Aurora hops really flex their biceps. Pale Ales, your go-to, relatable friend, and IPAs, the bold conversation starters, they love Aurora. Imagine a Pale Ale nudging you with its elbow, winking and whispering, “Trust me, you can’t go wrong with Aurora.”

IPA: Brace for impact; Aurora’s there to skyrocket your IPA to the hall of fame.
Pale Ale: It’ll be like the Pale Ale had a glow up – more floral, more citrus, more wow.
American Pale Ale: Aurora hops slide into this style like a perfect Tinder match.
Belgian Ale: It turns every sip into a sophisticated rendezvous.
English Ale: Old mate English Ale gets a snazzy hop makeover.
German Lager: It’s like adding fireworks to Oktoberfest in your mouth.

Aurora’s also a hit in the whole wheat department. Wheat Beer’s personality just pops with a bit of Aurora. And if you’re daring to dabble in Strong Ales or Porters, Aurora has got your back with a nod and a wink.

Aurora’s Role in Beer Flavor Profile

Think of Aurora as your beer’s fairy godmother. It’ll sprinkle just the right amount of magic dust to give you:

Floral: Your nose is gonna thank you for that bouquet it’s about to receive.
Spices: Dive into a carnival of spice, a touch of warmth and complexity to every sip.
Woody: It’s like your brew took a quick jaunt through an enchanted forest.
Herbal: Your taste buds will be doing the tango with every herby note.
Earthy: Aurora hops are basically Mother Nature in a hop suit.
Citrus: Who doesn’t like a zesty little zing to their sip?

Combine that with a brew and what do you get?

A feel-good symphony that’s as catchy as the latest pop hit. It makes you want to sing, “One more round, bartender!” Loud and proud, your beer’s flavor will stand out in the crowd.

It’s a taste that’ll slap a smile right onto your face.

Talk about happy hour!

Aurora Usage in Craft and Homebrewing

You’ve stumbled upon the gem that Aurora hops are, my friend.

It’s about to get hoppy in both craft and homebrew circles.

Aurora’s Popularity in Homebrew

Aurora hops, your new best buds, are like that all-rounder in high school who somehow aced everything without breaking a sweat. If you’re looking to jazz up your homebrew repertoire, these Slovenian charmers pack a world of versatility.

Flavor profile? Think floral, spicy, and resinous character

With a kiss of refreshing herbs, that can go towards the direction of citrus and pine.

It’s like your beer’s going on a first date, and Aurora is the wingman.

Now, let’s talk recipes.

Picture this. You’ve got your very own recipe book, right? Slip in an Aurora-infused page! Whether it’s an English Pale Ale that needs a spritz of nobility or a Belgian Saison calling for some spicy undertones, these hops are your go-to.

And because versatile is Aurora’s middle name…

…feel free to let your brewing imagination run wild.

Hopping Recommendations

Strap on your hop goggles because we’re diving into the world of Aurora hops. The botanical rock stars that’ll make your brews shine brighter than a disco ball at a ’70s dance-off!

First on our hit list is the classic Blonde Ale. Aurora hops in a Blonde Ale are like adding a bass line to your favorite song. It just gets the groove right. Picture this: you’re standing over your kettle, and it’s time to lay down the law with bitterness.

Toss in 0.75-1 ounce of Aurora at the 60-minute mark…

…and you’ve got a foundation as solid as a brick house.

But wait, the party’s just getting started! With 15 minutes left in the boil, it’s time to sprinkle in another 0.75 ounces. This is where Aurora hops whisper sweet nothings of spice and floral tones into your Blonde Ale.

Leaving a flavor that’s as memorable as your first concert.

Now, let’s switch it up and talk about the ever-popular Pale Ale.

Aurora hops in a Pale Ale are like a plot twist in a thriller novel. Unexpected but oh-so delightful. For this hoppy page-turner, you’ll want to start with about 1 ounce at the 60-minute mark for a bitterness that’s more gripping than a cliffhanger.

And because we like our Pale Ales like we like our movie heroes – complex and full of surprises – we’ll add another 0.5 ounces with 10 minutes to go. This late addition is the hop equivalent of a surprise cameo that leaves you grinning from ear to ear.

You can also drop another 0.5-0.75 on dry hopping for even more aromas.

Style Name	Brewing Stage	Min of Grams per liter	Max of Grams per liter	Min of Grams per batch [20ltr]	Max of Grams per batch [20ltr]	Average of Grams per liter
American IPA	Aroma	0.16	4	3.11	80	1.45
	Bittering	0.1	3.54	2	70.83	1.44
	Dry Hop	0.32	6.5	6.42	130	2.17
	First Wort	0.16	1.2	3.28	24	0.76
	Flavor	0.32	2.5	6.42	50	1.18
	Whirlpool	0.63	9.21	12.5	184.21	2.42
American IPA Total		0.1	9.21	2	184.21	1.54
American Pale Ale	Aroma	0.24	2.72	4.8	54.47	1.03
	Bittering	0.19	2.5	3.85	49.93	0.8
	Dry Hop	0.4	5	8	100	1.84
	Flavor	0.38	2.5	7.69	50	0.93
	Whirlpool	0.24	2.5	4.8	50	1.49
American Pale Ale Total		0.19	5	3.85	100	1.04
Saison	Aroma	0.55	2	10.91	40	1.09
	Bittering	0.17	2	3.33	40	1.11
	Dry Hop	1.02	1.54	20.35	30.77	1.28
	First Wort	0.17	0.9	3.33	17.97	0.61
	Flavor	0.17	2.3	3.33	46.09	0.93
	Mash	1.56	1.56	31.11	31.11	1.56
	Whirlpool	0.87	1.67	17.39	33.33	1.37
Saison Total		0.17	2.3	3.33	46.09	1.07
Blonde Ale	Aroma	0.28	5.77	5.56	115.38	1.76
	Bittering	0.44	2	8.8	40	0.85
	Dry Hop	0.48	1.4	9.52	28	0.79
	Flavor	0.35	2.72	6.98	54.47	1.26
	Whirlpool	0.74	2.72	14.81	54.47	1.73
Blonde Ale Total		0.28	5.77	5.56	115.38	1.09
Belgian Pale Ale	Aroma	0.39	2.72	7.83	54.47	1.12
	Bittering	0.71	2	14.29	40	1.01
	Dry Hop	1.36	2.72	27.27	54.47	1.93
	Flavor	0.43	2.72	8.65	54.47	1.1
Belgian Pale Ale Total		0.39	2.72	7.83	54.47	1.17

Style Name	Brewing Stage	Min of Oz per gallon	Max of Oz per gallon	Min of Oz per batch [5gal]	Max of Oz per batch [5gal]	Average of Oz per gallon
American IPA	Aroma	0.02	0.53	0.1	2.67	0.19
	Bittering	0.01	0.47	0.07	2.36	0.19
	Dry Hop	0.04	0.87	0.21	4.34	0.29
	First Wort	0.02	0.16	0.11	0.8	0.1
	Flavor	0.04	0.33	0.21	1.67	0.16
	Whirlpool	0.08	1.23	0.42	6.15	0.32
American IPA Total		0.01	1.23	0.07	6.15	0.21
American Pale Ale	Aroma	0.03	0.36	0.16	1.82	0.14
	Bittering	0.03	0.33	0.13	1.67	0.11
	Dry Hop	0.05	0.67	0.27	3.34	0.25
	Flavor	0.05	0.33	0.26	1.67	0.12
	Whirlpool	0.03	0.33	0.16	1.67	0.2
American Pale Ale Total		0.03	0.67	0.13	3.34	0.14
Saison	Aroma	0.07	0.27	0.36	1.34	0.14
	Bittering	0.02	0.27	0.11	1.34	0.15
	Dry Hop	0.14	0.21	0.68	1.03	0.18
	First Wort	0.02	0.12	0.11	0.6	0.08
	Flavor	0.02	0.31	0.11	1.54	0.12
	Mash	0.21	0.21	1.04	1.04	0.21
	Whirlpool	0.12	0.22	0.58	1.11	0.18
Saison Total		0.02	0.31	0.11	1.54	0.14
Blonde Ale	Aroma	0.04	0.77	0.19	3.85	0.23
	Bittering	0.06	0.27	0.29	1.34	0.12
	Dry Hop	0.06	0.19	0.32	0.93	0.11
	Flavor	0.05	0.36	0.23	1.82	0.17
	Whirlpool	0.1	0.36	0.49	1.82	0.23
Blonde Ale Total		0.04	0.77	0.19	3.85	0.15
Belgian Pale Ale	Aroma	0.05	0.36	0.26	1.82	0.15
	Bittering	0.1	0.27	0.48	1.34	0.13
	Dry Hop	0.18	0.36	0.91	1.82	0.26
	Flavor	0.06	0.36	0.29	1.82	0.15
Belgian Pale Ale Total		0.05	0.36	0.26	1.82	0.16

*This data consists of hundreds of thousands of manually input recipes and, despite best efforts, they may contain errors leading to very high max amounts, or be someone’s attempt for experimental brew. You should consider this data more as an overview of how different ingredients were used for different styles to get inspiration. Please do not attempt to add up different lines as it’s all about proportions.

Here’s a pro tip: in your next batch, try dry hopping with Aurora.

It’s like giving your beer a bouquet of flowers, only way more drinkable.

Innovative Brewing Experiments

Buckle up, ’cause this is where you unleash your inner mad scientist with Aurora hops as your lab partner. Have a crazy idea? Test it, I dare you. Maybe it’s a Doppelbock that could use an extra layer of aroma.

Or perhaps a Pilsner that’s yelling for a hint more complexity.

Aurora hops say, “Bring it on!”

Experimentation isn’t just about tossing hops into the boil willy-nilly.

Think about the brewing process. When are you adding these green beauties?

Early on and they give your beer a solid, bitter handshake. Throw them in at the last minute, and you’re whispering sweet nothings of aroma into your concoction’s ear.

Remember, great beer is all about balance, and the subtle art of dry hopping with Auroras can give you an edge. It’s like being a DJ, but instead of mixing tracks, you’re remixing your beer’s flavor profile. So grab a handful, and start that hop party!

So there you go, you’re now equipped to turn that homebrew of yours from…

… ‘meh’ to ‘more please!’ with Aurora hops.

What’s brewing in your brain now?

Comparative Analysis

Let’s roll up our sleeves and get down to the brass tacks. We’ll compare here Aurora hops to its botanical brethren. And check out what other hop-head favorites can pinch-hit when Aurora isn’t headlining your brew.

Aurora vs Other Hop Varieties

When you hold a shiny cone of Aurora hops in your hand, you’re basically clutching a piece of Slovenian sunshine. Styrian Aurora, a multi-talented hop, is the life of the party in any beer glass.

It brings a bouquet of aromas. From floral to a bit spicy, noble and resinous. With a touch of herbs and lemongrass. And even throws in some sweet orange zesty-ness to keep things interesting.

And did I mention the hoppy aroma is absolutely insane?

Anyhoo, let’s stack it up against other residents of the hop jungle:

Northern Brewer: This chap is more reserved, offering woody, earthy notes.
Cascade: Think Aurora’s long-lost American cousin, flaunting grapefruit and floral notes. Close, but no cigarillo.
Super Styrian & Bobek: They’re like the siblings who can’t outshine Aurora but offer herbal tones with a side of spice.
Celeia: This one tries hard with its noble lineage, pushing out a mix of floral and grassy notes. A solid try, but no spotlight stealer.

A little chart to clear it up for you:

Hop Variety	Aroma Profile	Best Used In
Aurora	Floral, Spicy, Resin, Herbs	Lagers, Pales, Belgian Ales
Northern Brewer	Resin, Herbs Floral, Mint	English Ales, Porters
Cascade	Grapefruit, Floral, Spices	IPAs, Pale Ales
Super Styrian/Bobek	Fruity, Citrus, Spicy, Pine	Lagers, ESBs
Celeia	Resin, Spicy, Earthy, Floral	Lagers, Pilsners

Substitutions for Aurora Hops

We’ve all been there. You’re all geared up for brew day and oops, you’re out of Aurora.

So what’s the game plan? Here are some worthy understudies:

Admiral: Brings boldness with a somewhat citrus twist. Not the same charisma, but it gets the job done.
Magnum: This one’s all about that clean bittering power. Think of it as the quiet guy with hidden depths.
Motueka: If Aurora went on a beach holiday, it would come back as Motueka. With tropical vibes and a lime twist.
Nugget: Packs an earthy, herbal punch; a tad more rough around the edges.

Possible Substitutes	Aroma Similarity	Alpha Acid Range
Admiral	Moderate, Strong hoppy	13-16%
Magnum	Low, Clean Bittering	12-15%
Motueka	Moderate, Tropical, Floral	7-8%
Nugget	Moderate, Herbs, Resin, Spicy	9.5-14%

And for those easy-going recipe days:

First Gold: A polite British hop that offers a fruit salad of flavors. Or marmalade.
Nelson Sauvin: New Zealand’s finest, flaunting white wine fabulousness.

Remember, the art of substitution is not just about swapping one for another. It’s about capturing the essence of what makes your beer uniquely yours. So go on, mix it up a bit.

And challenge the status quo.

Who knows? You might just stumble upon a combo that gets the party hoppin’!

Industry Insights

Before you dive into the world of Aurora hops, let’s peek at the trends shaking up the hop market and the farming fuss you never knew existed.

Market Trends and Demand

As a hop that hails from Slovenia, Aurora hops are kind of like the hidden gem in your grandma’s attic. Underappreciated yet remarkable.

The demand for these hops is like the tide.

Sometimes high, sometimes low, but lately, it’s climbing faster than your friend’s sourdough starter during lockdown. Brewers are snagging these beauties for their moderate bitterness and kick of aroma that can turn a good beer into “Where have you been all my life?” beer.

With a rise in craft brewing adventures, Aurora hops are playing hard to get.

And everyone wants a piece of that action.

Popularity: Soaring among craft beer makers
Aroma Profile: Versatile yet distinct, cheering on diversity in beer styles
Beer Styles: Your golden ticket for Lagers, Pilsners, and Pale Ales

Challenges in Hop Farming

Farming Aurora hops isn’t a walk in the park. There’s this sneaky fungus called Downy Mildew that’s ready to crash the party uninvited. Imagine you’re nurturing these hops and, boom, Mildew-fest 2024 hits.

It’s a serious bummer and a real menace that farmers have to tango with.

Keeping both eyes peeled while performing a fine balancing act of plant care.

Prevention: A nail-biting blend of anticipation and action
Impact: Equals fewer hops to go around (sad times for beer lovers)
Solutions: Constant vigilance and smarter farming practices to outwit the mildew mobsters

All in all, Aurora is just one hell-of-a-hop! Most definitely recommended.

Damian

A lifelong learner, hop enthusiast and a lover of the state of extreme exhaustion.

Finance Analyst in the Investment Bank and co-founder of hopsmatcher.com