Amarillo

Sweet Orange Citrus • Smooth Floral Aroma • Nature's Happy Accident

Amarillo is a celebrated American aroma hop discovered growing wild in a Washington hop field, prized for a smooth, sweet orange-citrus character that is gentler and rounder than its C-hop cousins. That natural origin gave brewers something genuinely different: grapefruit brightness wrapped in mellow orange marmalade and soft florals.

With alpha acids of 9%, Amarillo can contribute meaningful bitterness, but its smooth oil profile makes it most valuable in late additions where the orange character shines.

Flavor & Aroma Profile

• Sweet orange and tangerine
• Fresh grapefruit zest
• Soft floral aroma
• Light melon undertones
• Smooth, rounded citrus finish

Small late additions give pale ales a juicy orange lift without aggression. Generous whirlpool and dry hop charges create the saturated orange-citrus profile of famous Amarillo-forward IPAs.

Brewing Applications

Amarillo is a staple ingredient in many hop-forward styles, including:

• American Pale Ale
• American IPA
• Hazy IPA
• Blonde Ale
• American Wheat
• Belgian IPA

It also rounds out blends beautifully, smoothing sharper hops like Centennial and Simcoe with its sweet citrus character.

Usage Recommendations

For a 5-gallon batch, use 1–2 oz across the final 10 minutes, whirlpool, and dry hop for maximum orange aroma, with bittering handled by a cleaner high-alpha hop. Lower rates yield a balanced citrus accent; heavier dry hopping pushes Amarillo into juicy, orange-soda territory.

Try pairing Amarillo with a soft wheat or oat-based grist — its rounded citrus complements pillowy, full-bodied beers exceptionally well.

Specifications

• Alpha Acid: 9%
• Flavor Notes: Orange, grapefruit, floral
• Typical Use: Aroma / dual-purpose
• Common Additions: Late boil, whirlpool, dry hop
• Substitutes: Cascade, Centennial
• Beer Styles: Pale ales, IPAs, hazy IPAs, wheat beers

Whether you're crafting an orange-forward IPA or softening a sharp West Coast blend, Amarillo delivers the smooth, sweet citrus that has made it a brewer's favorite for decades.