originated from a cross between Hallertauer Mittelfrueh and the male genetic material of other German hops, most of them aroma varieties. See hallertauer mittelfrueh (hop). Liberty is a triploid hop, which means it produces nearly seedless cones, even in the presence of fertile male hops. It was released in the United States in 1991. It matures medium early in the season and is well adapted to the growing condition of the hop areas of Oregon and Washington. See willamette valley hop region, yakima valley hop region. It averages a modest 1,200 to 1,900 kg/ha (1,070 to 1,700 lb/acre), which, however, is significantly higher than the average Hallertauer Mittelfrueh yield of approximately 1,250 kg/ha (1,115 lb per acre) grown in Germany. Liberty has a soft resin content very similar to that of Hallertauer Mittelfrueh, averaging about 4% alpha acids, 3% beta acids, and about 24% to 28% cohumulone. The essential oil profile of Liberty is also similar to that of Hallertauer Mittelfrueh, and, like Mittelfrueh, it contains next to no farnesene. Because of its flavor characteristics, Liberty is an acceptable substitute for so-called European Noble hop varieties. American craft brewers wishing to create authentic versions of European beer styles tend to like Liberty partly because it shows almost no identifiably American character. It is a particularly good hop for the production of bright, snappy traditional pilsners.
See also noble hops.
