SunvsTarget

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

Sun

Bittering

Alpha acid

12–16%

Beta acid

4.5–7%

Total oil

-

United States

Target

Bittering

Alpha acid

8.5–13.5%

Beta acid

4.3–5.7%

Total oil

1–1.4 mL

United Kingdom

Key differences

When to pick Sun

  • Higher alpha acid - stronger bittering

When to pick Target

  • Richer, more complex aroma profile

Aroma profile and use

No shared aromas - the varieties have divergent profiles.

Only in Sun

Herbal

Only in Target

CitrusMarmaladeSageSpicyPepper

Property

PropertySunTarget
Alpha acid12–16%8.5–13.5%
Beta acid4.5–7%4.3–5.7%
Co-humulone30–40%35–40%
Total oil-1–1.4 mL
Myrcene-45–55%
Humulene-17–23%
Caryophyllene-8–10%
Farnesene-0–1%
OriginUnited StatesUnited Kingdom
PurposeBitteringBittering

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