Challenger Hop Plant

Challenger was bred at Wye College and released for commercial production in 1972. It is a grand daughter of Northern Brewer crossed with a downy mildew resistant male, and is a 'cousin' of Target. It has a good growing characteristic with heavy yields and a fruity, almost scented aroma, with some spicy overtones making it a versatile kettle hop for all types of beer. It blends well with other English varieties, and is sometimes used as a late hop and dry hop, although full advantage is not then taken of its higher alpha acid content, unless it is in a processed form. Challenger has also produced award winning single varietal beers.