US Tomahawk Hop Profile
Origin:
- United States
- Known as one of the "CTZ" hops (Columbus, Tomahawk, Zeus)—these three are genetically very similar and often grouped together
Type:
- Bittering hop (but has some dual-purpose usage)
Typical Alpha Acids:
- 14–18% (sometimes higher, making it among the strongest bittering hops)
Beta Acids:
Aroma & Flavor Notes:
-
Earthy: Deep, dank, pungent earth character
-
Citrus: Lemon, grapefruit rind
-
Resinous: Strong pine and resin (sticky, bold)
-
Spicy: Black pepper and subtle herbal notes
-
Savoury: Sometimes a mild onion/garlic “dank” note, especially in fresh CTZ/Tomahawk
Brewing Characteristics:
- Used primarily for assertive, clean bitterness in modern American ales
- Also adds punchy aroma and flavor, especially in late and dry hop additions
- Known for imparting intense, resinous hop character to IPAs and strong ales
Best Beer Styles:
- IPA, Double IPA, Triple IPA
- American Pale Ale
- Imperial Stout, Barleywine
- American Black Ale/Cascadian Dark Ale
Substitutes:
- Columbus and Zeus (often labeled interchangeably)
- Nugget (similar bitterness and robustness, less complex aroma)
- Chinook (more pine but a bit less dank)
Fun Fact:
Tomahawk gained notoriety as part of the "CTZ" trio—the origin of the term comes from a legal dispute over hop patents, resulting in three names for what is essentially the same plant!
