ContessavsLiberty

Contessa and Liberty are popular bittering hops. Below you'll find a comparison of alpha and beta acids, aroma profiles and oil composition.

Contessa

Bittering

Alpha acid

3–5%

Beta acid

5–7.4%

Total oil

0.8–1.9 mL

United States

Liberty

Bittering

Alpha acid

3–6.5%

Beta acid

3–4%

Total oil

0.6–1.8 mL

United States

Key differences

When to pick Contessa

  • Higher beta acid - smoother, longer-lasting bitterness

When to pick Liberty

  • Richer, more complex aroma profile

Aroma profile and use

Shared aromas

Floral

Only in Contessa

GreenLemongrassPear

Only in Liberty

NobleHerbalSpicyDelicateCitrusLemon

Property

PropertyContessaLiberty
Alpha acid3–5%3–6.5%
Beta acid5–7.4%3–4%
Co-humulone29–32%22–30%
Total oil0.8–1.9 mL0.6–1.8 mL
Myrcene-15–25%
Humulene-35–45%
Caryophyllene-10–15%
Farnesene-0–1%
OriginUnited StatesUnited States
PurposeBitteringBittering

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