Northdown Hop Plant

Bred at Wye College from Northern Brewer crossed with a downy mildew resistant male, is a 'aunt' of both Challenger and Target. It was released for commercial production in the early 1970s. It provides cheaper alpha acid than many traditional varieties, while having excellent flavour properties. Northdown has a very mild, clean, neutral English flavour, it can be used in all types of beer, with no harshness of palate, although the quality of bitterness it imparts can be a little harder than Challenger. The high level of oil makes this a very distinctive dry hop for full bodied ales giving a full fruit palate and considerable breadth of flavour.