Hop
Target
A high-alpha English hop with an intense earthy, herbal character and a firm bitterness.
Aroma and flavour
Descriptors are impressions rather than analytical results. BeerHQ rates this characterisation as well established.
Belongs to
Analysis
| Alpha acid | 10–13% |
|---|---|
| Cohumulone | 30–38% |
| Purpose | dual purpose |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Breeder | Wye College |
| Released | 1972 |
| 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.
- First wort. Added to the kettle as it fills, before the boil. Associated with a rounder, smoother bitterness.
If you like Target
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.
Agnus 9–13% alpha
Shares earth and wood, herbal, noble spice with Target; a bittering variety at a comparable alpha acid.
Not the same: nothing in the recorded profile separates the two, which means BeerHQ cannot tell you how they differ rather than that they are interchangeable.
Close enough in both aroma and alpha acid to swap in a recipe.
Pilgrim 9–13% alpha
Shares earth and wood, noble spice with Target; a dual-purpose variety at a comparable alpha acid.
Not the same: brings citrus that Target does not; lacks the herbal of Target.
Close enough in both aroma and alpha acid to swap in a recipe.
Admiral 13–16% alpha · editorial
A higher-alpha English bittering hop from the same programme.
Not the same: brings citrus that Target does not; lacks the noble spice of Target; 4 points higher 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.
Northdown 8–10% alpha · editorial
A gentler English alternative for the same role.
Not the same: brings pine and resin that Target does not; lacks the herbal of Target.
Smells alike, but the alpha acid differs enough that a like-for-like swap would change the bitterness.
Vital 14–18% alpha
Shares earth and wood, herbal, noble spice with Target; a bittering variety though it bitters harder.
Not the same: 5 points higher 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.
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.
Used in
- Best bitter
A step up from ordinary bitter in strength and depth, with more malt body while staying firmly sessionable.
- Strong bitter
The strongest of the bitters, with pronounced malt richness, firm bitterness and noticeable fruit from warm fermentation.
- English IPA
The original IPA: a strong, firmly bitter English pale ale with earthy, floral hop character and a dry, mineral finish.