Amarillo^® Hops

Discovered as a rogue, wild mutation growing in a Washington state yard by Virgil Gamache Farms, Amarillo^® (officially patented under the cultivar designation VGXP01) is a legendary proprietary hop that fundamentally reshaped the modern craft brewing landscape. Unlike most commercial varieties born out of rigorous, intentional university breeding programs, Amarillo^® was a spectacular stroke of natural selection, found thriving unexpectedly alongside a block of Liberty hops in 1990 and formally released to the industry in 2000. It quickly earned a reputation as a "super version of Cascade" due to its elevated alpha acids and a distinctive, hyper-focused orange character that set it completely apart from existing American dual-purpose options. Today, it remains an iconic, irreplaceable cornerstone of the global craft revolution, beloved for its exceptional agronomic dependability and an unusually high concentration of myrcene and geraniol oils that helped define the punchy, fruit-forward aromatic identity of modern West Coast and New England IPAs alike.

The sensory footprint of Amarillo^® is an intensely bright, highly expressive masterpiece that delivers an instantly recognizable, saturated citrus experience. The aromatic canopy is anchored by a massive, signature top note of sweet, fleshy orange oil, crushed pink grapefruit, and sun-ripened summer apricots. This candied, punchy citrus layer effortlessly glides into a complex middle tier showcasing tropical melon, zesty lemon peel, and vibrant sweet tangerine. Grounding this flamboyant fruit display is a soft, highly sophisticated background whisper of earthy damp soil and clean floral blossoms. Thanks to its incredibly clean, low-cohumulone composition, Amarillo^® contributes a smooth, impeccably integrated bitterness when utilized early in the boil, but it truly commands the spotlight when thrown heavily into late-kettle, whirlpool, or dry-hop additions, where its volatile oils coat the palate with a crisp, mouthwatering freshness.