Pilgrim → Challenger
last-resort matchUse 1.42× the weight for the same bitterness
alpha acids 11% → 7.75% · 14% aroma match
- Keeps
- Fruity
- Loses
- Spicy, Lemon, Grapefruit, Citrus, Pear, Berry
- Adds
- Cedar, Green
United KingdomPilgrim substitutes
Proven alternatives to Pilgrim and hops with a similar aroma profile. Pick by availability, price or country of origin.
Direct substitutes
2How 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.
Pilgrim → Pioneer
last-resort matchUse 1.19× the weight for the same bitterness
alpha acids 11% → 9.25% · 29% aroma match
- Keeps
- Lemon, Grapefruit
- Loses
- Fruity, Spicy, Citrus, Pear, Berry
- Adds
- Cedar, Herbal, Crisp, Clean
Similar aroma profiles
4Amarillo
USAAromaPale AlePilsWitbier
Alpha acid7–11%
Beta acid5.5–8%
Total oil1–2.3 mL
FloralSpicyTropicalCitrus+7
Azacca
USADual purposeIPAAPAPils
Alpha acid14–16%
Beta acid4–5.5%
Total oil1.6–2.5 mL
MangoPapayaOrangeGrapefruit+6
Galena
USAAromaPale AlePilsWitbier
Alpha acid12–15.5%
Beta acid7.2–8.7%
Total oil0.9–2.1 mL
FruityPearPineappleBlack currant+5
Simcoe
USADual purposeIPAAPAPils
Alpha acid11–15%
Beta acid3–5%
Total oil0.8–3.2 mL
FruityEarthyGrapefruitPassion fruit+5
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.