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Columbus (CTZ)
A high-alpha American hop for clean bittering with a dank, pungent aroma.
About Columbus (CTZ)
Columbus, grouped with Tomahawk and Zeus as the CTZ hops, is a high-alpha American variety valued for efficient, clean bittering.
Beyond bittering it lends a dank, pungent, resinous aroma that suits big American IPAs when used late.
Aroma and flavour
Pungent, dank, resinous and lightly herbal; a bold aroma at high rates.
By the numbers, Columbus (CTZ) typically carries 14 to 18% alpha acid, which drives its bitterness, and 2 to 3.5 total oil, which drives its aroma. It is generally treated as a bittering (dual-purpose) hop. Published figures are typical values; the real alpha and oil of any given lot vary with the harvest, so a hop bill is usually adjusted to the actual numbers on the package.
Using it in the brewery
Columbus is used first as a clean, efficient bittering hop thanks to its high alpha, and also late for a dank, resinous aroma. It is a common bittering base under fruitier aroma hops.
Like all hops, it is best bought as vacuum-packed pellets and kept cold and sealed, since oxygen and warmth degrade the alpha acids and drive off the aroma oils over time. Buy close to when you will brew, and store any opened packets cold and airtight.
Substitutes
If Columbus (CTZ) is unavailable, Simcoe makes the closest substitute, sharing a similar aroma family and a comparable alpha and oil profile. A substitute is a close match rather than an identical clone, so expect it to shift the character a little.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Alpha acid | 14 to 18% |
| Beta acid | 4 to 5.5% |
| Total oil | 2 to 3.5 |
| Typical use | Bittering (dual-purpose) |
| Origin | United States |
Typical published figures; harvest and batch vary.
Match this hop to a yeast
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Sources: BarthHaas hop varieties ยท Hopslist variety data