Hopedia
United States

Idaho Gem substitutes

Proven alternatives to Idaho Gem and hops with a similar aroma profile. Pick by availability, price or country of origin.

Compare side by side

Direct substitutes

6
Azacca

Azacca

USADual purpose2013
IPAAPAPils
Alpha acid14–16%
Beta acid4–5.5%
Total oil1.6–2.5 mL
MangoPapayaOrangeGrapefruit+6
Cascade

Cascade

USADual purpose1972
IPAAPAPils
Alpha acid4.5–9%
Beta acid4.8–7.5%
Total oil0.7–2.5 mL
GrapefruitFloralSpicyCitrus+1
Cashmere

Cashmere

USADual purpose2013
IPAAPAPils
Alpha acid7.7–9.1%
Beta acid3.3–7.1%
Total oil1.2–1.4 mL
FruityLemonLimePeach+5
Citra

Citra

USADual purpose2008
IPAAPAPils
Alpha acid10–15%
Beta acid3–4.5%
Total oil1.5–3 mL
CitrusGrapefruitPeachMelon+5
El Dorado

El Dorado

USADual purpose2010
IPAAPAPils
Alpha acid13–17%
Beta acid6.4–8%
Total oil2.5–3.3 mL
FruityTropicalPearWatermelon+2

Idaho 7

USAAroma2015
Pale AlePilsWitbier
Alpha acid9.5–14.9%
Beta acid3.5–5%
Total oil1–2 mL
Black currantTropicalCitrusApricot+8

How to swap it in a recipe

Bitterness scales with alpha acid times weight, so for bittering additions rescale the weight by the alpha ratio — the multiplier for each substitute is given below. For late, whirlpool and dry-hop additions dose 1:1 by weight and go by aroma instead, because alpha acids do not drive those.

Idaho Gem → Azacca

last-resort match

Use 0.83× the weight for the same bitterness

alpha acids 12.5% → 15% · 27% aroma match

Keeps
Pineapple, Spicy, Citrus
Loses
Cherry, Candied, Herbal, Mint, Stone fruit, Redberry, Mojito, Sweet
Adds
Mango, Papaya, Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon, Grassy, Tropical

Idaho Gem → Cascade

last-resort match

Use 1.85× the weight for the same bitterness

alpha acids 12.5% → 6.75% · 18% aroma match

Keeps
Spicy, Citrus
Loses
Pineapple, Cherry, Candied, Herbal, Mint, Stone fruit, Redberry, Mojito, Sweet
Adds
Grapefruit, Floral, Pine

Idaho Gem → Cashmere

last-resort match

Use 1.49× the weight for the same bitterness

alpha acids 12.5% → 8.4% · 9% aroma match

Keeps
Herbal
Loses
Pineapple, Cherry, Candied, Spicy, Mint, Citrus, Stone fruit, Redberry, Mojito, Sweet
Adds
Fruity, Lemon, Lime, Peach, Melon, Coconut, Lemongrass, Candy

Idaho Gem → Citra

last-resort match

Use the same weight for the same bitterness

alpha acids 12.5% → 12.5% · 9% aroma match

Keeps
Citrus
Loses
Pineapple, Cherry, Candied, Herbal, Spicy, Mint, Stone fruit, Redberry, Mojito, Sweet
Adds
Grapefruit, Peach, Melon, Lime, Floral, Gooseberry, Passion fruit, Lychee

Idaho Gem → El Dorado

last-resort match

Use 0.83× the weight for the same bitterness

alpha acids 12.5% → 15% · 9% aroma match

Keeps
Stone fruit
Loses
Pineapple, Cherry, Candied, Herbal, Spicy, Mint, Citrus, Redberry, Mojito, Sweet
Adds
Fruity, Tropical, Pear, Watermelon, Candy

Idaho Gem → Idaho 7

last-resort match

Use 1.02× the weight for the same bitterness

alpha acids 12.5% → 12.2% · 9% aroma match

Keeps
Citrus
Loses
Pineapple, Cherry, Candied, Herbal, Spicy, Mint, Stone fruit, Redberry, Mojito, Sweet
Adds
Black currant, Tropical, Apricot, Orange, Grapefruit, Papaya, Resin, Pine, Floral, Black currant, Earthy

How to pick a substitute

Look for similar alpha acid content (within 2%) and overlapping aroma notes. The more shared notes, the safer the swap.

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