is an American aroma hop bred by Al Haunold and released in 1976. It has been used expansively by Anheuser-Busch, primarily as a replacement of the English Fuggle and other aroma hops that became increasingly sparse on world markets. See fuggle (hop). Willamette was developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture hop breeding program in Corvallis, Oregon. It originated from a controlled 1967 cross between two Fuggle derivatives. Its breeding objective was an aroma hop with European characteristics and a yield that is 40% greater than that of Fuggle. Willamette is a triploid, which means it matures as a virtually seedless plant. It has a moderately low alpha acid content of 4% to 8% and a low beta acid count of 3% to 4.5%. Its aroma is mild, pleasant, earthy, and slightly spicy. Currently, it is planted on roughly 40% of all hop acreage in the Willamette Valley acreage of Oregon and is America’s most important aroma variety. For large breweries and small, Willamette remains an important workhorse hop that can deliver fine-tuned bitterness in the kettle and a pleasant aroma as well. See willamette valley hop region.
