ContessavsSummit

Contessa and Summit 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

Summit

Bittering

Alpha acid

15–17.5%

Beta acid

4–6.5%

Total oil

1.5–3 mL

United States

Key differences

When to pick Contessa

No clear differences - both varieties have a similar profile. Choose based on availability or country of origin.

When to pick Summit

  • Higher alpha acid - stronger bittering
  • More essential oils - more intense aroma
  • Richer, more complex aroma profile

Aroma profile and use

No shared aromas - the varieties have divergent profiles.

Only in Contessa

GreenFloralLemongrassPear

Only in Summit

Black currantAniseIncenseOrangeGrapefruitTangerineEarthyCitrusOnionGarlicDankCannabis

Property

PropertyContessaSummit
Alpha acid3–5%15–17.5%
Beta acid5–7.4%4–6.5%
Co-humulone29–32%26–33%
Total oil0.8–1.9 mL1.5–3 mL
Myrcene-30–40%
Humulene-18–22%
Caryophyllene-12–16%
Farnesene-0–1%
OriginUnited StatesUnited States
PurposeBitteringBittering

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