is an English dwarf variety released in 1995 by the Wye College hop breeding operation. It is a cross between a Whitbread Golding variety and a dwarf male. The First Gold aroma is similar to that of Golding, but it has higher alpha acid levels, which makes it a dual-purpose hop used for both bittering and aroma. Like most English varieties, First Gold exhibits a characteristic earthiness. As an aroma hop, it has a slightly spicy, citrus note that can give beer a faintly orange-like quality. It is perfectly suited for such very English beer styles as extra special bitter. First Gold is widely used for dry hopping. First Gold has an alpha acid range of 6% to 10%, a beta acid range of 3% to 4.1%, a cohumulone range of 32% to 35%, and a humulene average of 19%. It is fairly tolerant to wilts and powdery mildew, but susceptible to downy mildew. It matures in mid-season, with medium-size cones and a good yield of about 1,750 kg/ha (1,540 lb/acre); it stores moderately well. First Gold still has limited acreage, but many brewers like it and it seems likely to grow in popularity. Some yards were fully certified as organic in 2002.