Hop
Phoenix
An English dual-purpose hop in the Challenger mould, spicy and mildly floral.
Aroma and flavour
Descriptors are impressions rather than analytical results. BeerHQ rates this characterisation as commonly reported.
Belongs to
Analysis
| Alpha acid | 9–11% |
|---|---|
| Purpose | dual purpose |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Released | 1996 |
| Storage stability | good |
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.
- Late boil. Added in the last few minutes, retaining more aromatic oils while adding modest bitterness.
If you like Phoenix
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.
Challenger 7–9% alpha · editorial
Very close in role and character.
Not the same: brings herbal that Phoenix does not.
Smells alike, but the alpha acid differs enough that a like-for-like swap would change the bitterness.
Northdown 8–10% alpha
Shares noble spice, earth and wood with Phoenix; a dual-purpose variety at a comparable alpha acid.
Not the same: brings pine and resin that Phoenix does not; lacks the floral of Phoenix.
Smells alike, but the alpha acid differs enough that a like-for-like swap would change the bitterness.
Brewer's Gold 6–9% alpha
Shares noble spice, earth and wood with Phoenix; a dual-purpose variety though it bitters more gently.
Not the same: brings berry that Phoenix does not; lacks the floral of Phoenix.
Smells alike, but the alpha acid differs enough that a like-for-like swap would change the bitterness.
Crystal 4–6% alpha
Shares noble spice, floral, earth and wood with Phoenix; an aroma variety though it bitters more gently.
Not the same: 5 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.
Pilgrim 9–13% alpha
Shares noble spice, earth and wood with Phoenix; a dual-purpose variety at a comparable alpha acid.
Not the same: brings citrus that Phoenix does not; lacks the floral of Phoenix.
Close enough in both aroma and alpha acid to swap in a recipe.
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.
- Pilgrim — Shares noble spice, earth and wood with Phoenix; a dual-purpose variety at a comparable alpha acid.
- Premiant — Shares noble spice, floral with Phoenix; a dual-purpose variety at a comparable alpha acid.
- Agnus — Shares noble spice, earth and wood with Phoenix; a bittering variety at a comparable alpha acid.