Magnum
A clean, high-alpha bittering hop with little aroma of its own.
About Magnum
Magnum is a German high-alpha hop bred specifically for bittering. It gives a clean, smooth bitterness without imposing much flavour or aroma of its own.
That neutrality makes it a favourite first-wort or bittering charge in styles where the aroma is meant to come from other hops or from the malt and yeast.
Aroma and flavour
Very restrained, lightly spicy; chosen for clean bitterness rather than aroma.
By the numbers, Magnum typically carries 12 to 16% alpha acid, which drives its bitterness, and 1.6 to 2.6 total oil, which drives its aroma. It is generally treated as a bittering 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
Magnum is used almost exclusively as an early bittering addition, valued for the clean, efficient bitterness it gives. It leaves the aroma to late hops or to the yeast.
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
Magnum has a distinctive character that is hard to replace exactly. Where it is unavailable, brewers usually blend hops from the same aroma family to approach it rather than relying on a single substitute.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Alpha acid | 12 to 16% |
| Beta acid | 5 to 7% |
| Total oil | 1.6 to 2.6 |
| Typical use | Bittering |
| Origin | Germany, released 1980 |
Typical published figures; harvest and batch vary.
Match this hop to a yeast
Open the YeastMatch selectorPair a hop with the right yeast, or find a substitute.Find Magnum hops on eBayaffiliateRelated
Sources: BarthHaas hop varieties ยท Hopslist variety data