Magnum (US) → Columbus
workable matchUse 0.81× the weight for the same bitterness
alpha acids 13% → 16% · 80% aroma match
- Keeps
- Floral, Citrus, Spicy, Black currant
- Loses
- Nutmeg
- Adds
- Earthy, Licorice, Curry, Pungent, Dank, Cannabis
United StatesMagnum (US) substitutes
Proven alternatives to Magnum (US) and hops with a similar aroma profile. Pick by availability, price or country of origin.
Direct substitutes
7Columbus
USADual purpose8230IPAAPAPils
Alpha acid14–18%
Beta acid4.5–6%
Total oil2.5–4.5 mL
EarthyBlack currantLicoriceCurry+6
Galena
USAAroma1978Pale AlePilsWitbier
Alpha acid12–15.5%
Beta acid7.2–8.7%
Total oil0.9–2.1 mL
FruityPearPineappleBlack currant+5
Horizon
USADual purpose8230IPAAPAPils
Alpha acid8.8–12%
Beta acid5.5–7.5%
Total oil0.5–1.5 mL
FloralCitrusSpicyFloral
Magnum (GR)
GermanyBittering1980IPAImperial StoutBarleywine
Alpha acid11–16%
Beta acid4.5–7%
Total oil1.6–2.6 mL
AppleBlack currantCleanCitrus+3
Northdown
USADual purpose8230IPAAPAPils
Alpha acid7–10%
Beta acid4–5.5%
Total oil1.2–2.5 mL
FloralPineCedarBerry+1
Northern Brewer (US)
USABittering8230IPAImperial StoutBarleywine
Alpha acid7–10%
Beta acid3–5.5%
Total oil1–2 mL
PineWoodyMintBlack currant
Nugget
USADual purpose1983IPAAPAPils
Alpha acid9.5–16%
Beta acid3–5.8%
Total oil0.9–3.3 mL
HerbalCitrusGingerPineapple+5
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.
Magnum (US) → Galena
workable matchUse 0.95× the weight for the same bitterness
alpha acids 13% → 13.75% · 40% aroma match
- Keeps
- Spicy, Black currant
- Loses
- Floral, Citrus, Nutmeg
- Adds
- Fruity, Pear, Pineapple, Grapefruit, Lime, Gooseberry, Woody
Magnum (US) → Horizon
workable matchUse 1.25× the weight for the same bitterness
alpha acids 13% → 10.4% · 60% aroma match
- Keeps
- Floral, Citrus, Spicy
- Loses
- Nutmeg, Black currant
Magnum (US) → Magnum (GR)
close matchUse 0.96× the weight for the same bitterness
alpha acids 13% → 13.5% · 60% aroma match
- Keeps
- Floral, Citrus, Black currant
- Loses
- Spicy, Nutmeg
- Adds
- Apple, Clean, Clean, Fruity
Magnum (US) → Northdown
workable matchUse 1.53× the weight for the same bitterness
alpha acids 13% → 8.5% · 40% aroma match
- Keeps
- Floral, Spicy
- Loses
- Citrus, Nutmeg, Black currant
- Adds
- Pine, Cedar, Berry
Magnum (US) → Northern Brewer (US)
last-resort matchUse 1.53× the weight for the same bitterness
alpha acids 13% → 8.5% · 20% aroma match
- Keeps
- Black currant
- Loses
- Floral, Citrus, Spicy, Nutmeg
- Adds
- Pine, Woody, Mint
Magnum (US) → Nugget
last-resort matchUse 1.02× the weight for the same bitterness
alpha acids 13% → 12.75% · 20% aroma match
- Keeps
- Citrus
- Loses
- Floral, Spicy, Nutmeg, Black currant
- Adds
- Herbal, Ginger, Pineapple, Geranium, Lychee, Herbal, Earthy, Coconut
Similar aroma profiles
1
FranceHow to pick a substitute
Look for similar alpha acid content (within 2%) and overlapping aroma notes. The more shared notes, the safer the swap.