First Gold

Use in brewing

Dual purpose hop.
The variety is very suitable both as a general kettle hop and also for late and dry hopping in all types of beer. First Gold has good aroma and bittering qualities, much of the flavour of WGV seems to have been retained but with an added extra citrus quality, produces a well-balanced bitterness and a fruity, slightly spicy note in ales. An orangey quality has been observed in many beers brewed using this variety.

Substitutions

Willamette, East Kent Goldings, Styrian Goldings, Crystal

Origin/History

A dwarf hop bred at Wye College, on extensive farm trials in 1995. First Gold is from a cross-pollination of WGV with a dwarf male. It has a very attractive aroma which some liken to Goldings but with a higher Alpha content than traditional aroma hops.

Agronomics

First Gold crops with a larger number of medium-sized cones and yields well on the trial sites. Reasonable tolerance to Verticillium Wilt which seems to be been inherited from its WGV parent. Susceptible to Downy mildew, resistant to Powdery mildew.

Organic Status

Also available in Organic

Storage

Excellent