Hop
Galena
A dependable American bittering hop with blackcurrant and citrus notes.
Aroma and flavour
Descriptors are impressions rather than analytical results. BeerHQ rates this characterisation as well established.
Belongs to
Analysis
| Alpha acid | 11–14% |
|---|---|
| Purpose | bittering |
| Origin | United States |
| Released | 1978 |
| Storage stability | excellent |
How it is used
- Bittering (early boil). Added at or near the start of the boil, where long exposure isomerises alpha acids into bitterness and drives off aroma.
- First wort. Added to the kettle as it fills, before the boil. Associated with a rounder, smoother bitterness.
If you like Galena
Hops with comparable character. Similarity and substitutability are different questions, so each entry says which it is: a hop can smell alike and still change the beer if its alpha acid is far off.
Endeavour 8–10% alpha
Shares berry, citrus, earth and wood with Galena; a dual-purpose variety though it bitters more gently.
Not the same: 4 points lower in alpha acid, so a like-for-like weight swap would change the bitterness.
Smells alike, but the alpha acid differs enough that a like-for-like swap would change the bitterness.
Southern Cross 11–14% alpha
Shares citrus, earth and wood with Galena; a dual-purpose variety at a comparable alpha acid.
Not the same: brings pine and resin that Galena does not; lacks the berry of Galena.
Close enough in both aroma and alpha acid to swap in a recipe.
Chinook 12–14% alpha
Shares citrus, earth and wood with Galena; a dual-purpose variety at a comparable alpha acid.
Not the same: brings pine and resin that Galena does not; lacks the berry of Galena.
Close enough in both aroma and alpha acid to swap in a recipe.
Nugget 12–14% alpha
Both lead with earth and wood; a bittering variety at a comparable alpha acid.
Not the same: brings herbal and pine and resin that Galena does not; lacks the berry and citrus of Galena.
Close enough in both aroma and alpha acid to swap in a recipe.
Simcoe 12–14% alpha
Shares citrus, earth and wood with Galena; a dual-purpose variety at a comparable alpha acid.
Not the same: brings pine and resin and tropical fruit that Galena does not; lacks the berry of Galena.
Comparable alpha acid, but a different aroma — a bittering substitute rather than a character one.
Straight substitutes
Close enough in both character and alpha acid to swap at a similar weight. Substitution is directional and imperfect — these are the nearest available options, not equivalents.
- Southern Cross — Shares citrus, earth and wood with Galena; a dual-purpose variety at a comparable alpha acid.
- Chinook — Shares citrus, earth and wood with Galena; a dual-purpose variety at a comparable alpha acid.
- Nugget — Both lead with earth and wood; a bittering variety at a comparable alpha acid.
- Pilgrim — Shares citrus, earth and wood with Galena; a dual-purpose variety at a comparable alpha acid.