Bramling Cross Hops: The English Hop With an American-Type Aroma

History of Bramling Cross Hops:

The dual purpose variety Bramling Cross is close to the root of the English hop family tree. In 1904, Wye College, established the first English hop breeding program and two years later brought Professor Ernest Stanley Salmon to head up the research.

In 1919, a wild Manitoban hop was open pollinated, the results (Bullion, Brewer’s Gold, and a male plant designated OL45) became the genetic backbone of a large number of today’s varieties. (PDF)

In 1927, the wild male Manitoban, OL45, was crossed with the much vaunted English variety, Bramling Golding. For Professor Salmon’s the cross was an attempt to fulfill three goals. He wanted to improve yield, while working toward earlier harvest.

But, he also wanted the new variety to have as much of the wild Manitoban’s hardy, disease resistant qualities as possible. First known under its trial number, OT48, the result would later be released in 1957 as Bramling Cross.

Bramling Cross doesn’t quite fulfill all of the expectations Salmon had for it. The variety does send up shoots early and mature by the end of August, but its yield has never been too substantial; it is resistant to Verticillium wilt, but is still at least somewhat susceptible to both powdery and downy mildew.

It has also been seen to be susceptible to years with drier and warmer springs, remaining dormant and emerging later in the season. This reaction to warmer weather has become a worry for many hop farmers and specialists in the last two decades. If the drier, warmer weather is at all tied to Climate Change, it’s a problem that is expected to only worsen (PDF).

Bramling Cross hops are grown mostly in East Kent, a region in southern England, and one in which drier overall conditions has required all hop farms turn to irrigation in the last decade.

Bramling Cross wasn’t used much, even in England until the 1980s, but it does offer a distinct character, not found in many other UK varieties. The character has some similar qualities to what would be considered an “American-type” profile.

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Plant Information (Growth, Harvest, Storage):

If you plan on growing hops in your backyard, we would make a few recommendations to help you in your endeavors. Before you choose the variety you want to grow, it is a good idea to talk to other local growers or possibly someone at your local homebrew supply store. They may be able to point you toward varieties that grow well in your area.

Bramling Cross is not a patented variety, but rhizomes may be hard to find in the U.S., though hopefully not impossible.

General Characteristics:

• Growth Rate — Medium to Vigorous; may have a tendency to remain dormant longer in warmer, drier seasons
• Yield — Low to Medium (1500-1675 kg/hectare)
• Cones — Medium size and density
• Maturity — Early to Mid Season
• Susceptible to — Powdery and Downy Mildew
• Resistant to — Verticillium wilt
• Ease of Harvest — Good
• Storage — Fair to Good; retains 60 to 70 alpha acid content after 6 months storage at 68°F.

Sensory Description:

Bramling Cross has is often considered as having an “American-type” aroma. Its aroma and flavor is often considered intense, but not pungent, and carries fruity and citrusy notes of blackcurrent, loganberry, gooseberry, and lemon. A spiciness or vanilla character may also be present.

Its bittering characteristic is noted as prominent, but rounded.

Use:

Bramling Cross is generally seen as a dual purpose hop. Not surprising, the beer styles it most often finds its work in are English such as, Bitters, stouts, and porters. But, it can easily find a place in American pales, ambers, and browns; on account of its “American” flavor qualities.

It is often used as an all-purpose bittering hop; often in conjunction with other varieties. It has also become a respected, though regularly overlooked, late and dry-hopping addition. This is especially true in styles like a winter/autumn seasonal, or porter, where that blackcurrent/gooseberry and spice characteristic can shine.

Can Substitute With/For These Hops:

• Willamette
• East Kent Golding
• Whitebread Golding
• Progress

Common Beer Styles Using Brambling Cross:

• Porters & Stouts
• Pales & IPAs
• Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer
• Bitters & Milds
• Winter & Fall Seasonals
• Alternative Grain Beer (especially rye)
• Golden Ales

Commercial Examples:

There aren’t many U.S. made, widely available examples of beer brewed with Bramling Cross. I did find a couple, along with quite a number of UK examples. Also keep an eye out at local breweries for their cool season offerings; styles where Bramling Cross is more popularly used.

Though the search may be hard, try to find a few of these examples to sample. They will help you gain a better idea of this hop’s aroma and flavor. This… tasty research will deepen your understanding of how Brambling Cross works in different beer styles and give you a better idea of how to use it in your own homebrewing.

Uses Only Brambling Cross Hops:

• 03|04 from Brew By Numbers (UK)
• Bramling Cross from Mallinsons Brewing Company (UK)
• Bramling Cross Brown from Allendale Brewery(UK)
• Plumptuous from Next Door Brewing (Madison, WI)
• Filthy Rich Porter from Little Ox Brewing (UK)
• Bramling Cyclhops from Strange Fellows brewing(Canada)
• The Dude Of York from Last Name Brewing Company(Upland, CA)

Combined With Other Hop Varieties:

• Imperial Red from Wychwood Brewing Company (UK) — Also uses Styrian and Chinook
• Anvil from Allendale Brewery (UK) — Also uses First Gold and Galaxy
• Dry Hopped Pale Mild from Machine House Brewery (Seattle, WA) — Also uses Jester
• Dune Hogs Head from Islay Ales (UK) Also uses Goldings
• Halcyon from Thornbridge Brewery (UK) — Also uses Topaz, Galaxy, Chinook
• Jasmine IPA from Steamworks Brewpub (Canada) — Also uses Celeia, and Centennial
• Bishop’s Breakfast Stout from Oliver Brewing Company (Baltimore, MD) — Also uses Fuggles, East Kent Goldings
• Pale Ale from Saranac Brewing Company (Utica, NY) — Also uses Cascade, East Kent Golding, Fuggles
• Mullet Cutter from Revolver Brewing Company (San Antonio, TX) — Also uses Summit, East Kent Goldings, and Citra