Thora delivers tropical aroma and grower-friendly performance
The United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) and the Hop Quality Group (HQG) have released a new public hop variety: Thora. Developed to meet the needs of both craft brewers and hop growers, Thora blends high agronomic performance with a complex tropical aroma profile. The hop takes its name from the Old Norse word Þórr, meaning “thunder.” It’s the first variety to emerge from the collaboration between HQG and USDA-ARS, which began in 2015 to create publicly available hops with modern flavor and strong field performance. From this press release:
“Thora is the culmination of over a decade of hard work by the Hop Quality Group to make meaningful change within the hop industry,” said Eric Desmarais, 4th generation owner of CLS Farms.
How Thora was developed
HQG’s network of more than 50 U.S. craft breweries partnered with USDA-ARS hop breeders through every stage of Thora’s development. Brewers participated in early rub-and-sniff trials, pilot brews, and thiol analysis to ensure the variety would stand out in the brewhouse. The result is a hop that balances aroma intensity with grower practicality — a goal shared by the HQG since its founding in 2010 to advance hop quality across the independent brewing community. From the press release:
“What makes Thora truly unique is how a collection of brewers have been part of the process from the very beginning, shaping its direction and creating value for both the hop and brewing industries,” said Blake Crosby, CEO of Crosby Hops.
Aroma and brewing profile
Thora bursts with passionfruit, guava, grapefruit, and stone fruit, layered with resinous and dank undertones. Its high concentrations of thiols — including 4MMP, 3S4MP, and 3MH — rival or exceed most U.S. cultivars, creating a punchy tropical character ideal for IPAs and other hop-forward beer styles. Brewers report expressive tropical fruit flavors balanced by clean bitterness, making Thora versatile for hazy, West Coast, or hybrid IPA approaches.
Key brewing and agronomic stats
- Alpha acids: ~8.7%
- Maturity: Early to mid-season
- Aroma: Passionfruit, guava, grapefruit, stone fruit, resin
- Notable compounds: High thiol content (4MMP, 3S4MP, 3MH)
- Strengths: Disease resistance, strong yields, smooth bitterness
Thora’s balance of flavor and field performance makes it a practical option for farms looking to diversify and a creative tool for brewers seeking bold, fruit-driven character.
Availability for 2025–2026
Thora is available now in limited commercial quantities from select farms across the Pacific Northwest. Expanded acreage is planned for the 2026 harvest season. Interested brewers can contact participating growers or visit hopqualitygroup.com for more details.
Recapping Vera: Another public hop with tropical punch
A milestone in public hop breeding
Earlier this year, USDA-ARS also released Vera, a new public aroma hop now available through Yakima Valley Hops, Hollingbery & Son, and the Lupulin Exchange. Check it out right here. Vera delivers bright tropical, stone fruit, and citrus notes, with a distinct pineapple-candy aroma that performs consistently from rub to glass. Developed through USDA-ARS’s breeding program in Prosser, Washington, Vera originated from a 2011 cross of Brewers Gold and a wild mildew-resistant male hop (USDA 64103M). The variety honors Vera Katherine Charles, a pioneering USDA mycologist who helped establish the National Fungus Collection.
Brewing profile and stats
- Alpha acids: 5.4% (farm); 3.79% (trial)
- Beta acids: ~4.7%
- Total oils: 0.8–1.3 mL/100g
- Co-humulone: ~45%
- Aroma: Ripe peach, mango, white grape, tropical fruit, floral citrus
- Harvest: Mid-late season (around September 19 in the Pacific Northwest)
These characteristics make Vera a strong choice for hazy IPAs, hoppy ales, and fruit-forward lagers.
More public hops, more possibilities
The releases of Thora and Vera mark an exciting time for public hop breeding in the United States. Both varieties expand the options for independent craft brewers, combining sustainability, accessibility, and standout sensory character without proprietary barriers. Brewers ready to explore new flavor frontiers can source Thora through the Hop Quality Group network and Vera through Yakima Valley Hops and other distributors.
