Narrative
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) announces the release of 'MT. RAINIER', a new high-yielding aroma hop (Humulus lupulus L.) variety. The defining characteristics of Mt. Rainier are its high yield potential in both Washington and Oregon hop producing regions, excellent brewing characteristics, and relative tolerance to common hop plant diseases and insects. It is expected that brewers will utilize this variety as an aroma hop either as a baled or pelleted product. MT. RAINIER arose as a selection from a cross made at Corvallis, OR in 1994 between the German variety, Halletauer `Magnum?, and the male accession, USDA 19085M. Magnum is a daughter from the cross `Galena? x (Halletauer 'Mittelfrue' x OP). USDA 19085M resulted from the cross, ('Landhopfen' x OP) x [`Golden Cluster? x (`Fuggle? x OP)]. Thus, the genetic composition of MT. RAINIER is 1/4th Galena, 1/8th Halletauer Mittelfrue, 1/8th Landhopfen, 1/8th Golden Cluster, 1/16th Fuggle, and 5/16th unknown. MT. RAINIER was first grown at the USDA-ARS hop research facility near Corvallis as experimental line no. 9403-131 and was given the USDA accession number 21740 in 2004. It was expanded into 30-hill plots near Mt. Angel, OR and in the Yakima Valley, WA during 2001. Pilot brewing tests by one of the major USA breweries were performed using hops from the Yakima Valley plots during 2004. The resulting single-hopped beer received favorable marks from this brewery and additional breweries are pursuing pilot tests. This variety produces medium sized cones that mature early to mid-season: August 18th to September 11th in Oregon and September 8th through September 16th in Washington. Yields in nursery test plots ranged from 1148 kg ha-1 (baby year) to 2240 kg ha-1 with an average of 1694 kg ha-1. Commercial yields in Oregon ranged from 2722 kg ha-1 to 3106 kg ha-1 with an average of 2914 kg ha-1. Yields in Washington were somewhat higher ranging from 2250 to 4381 kg ha-1 with an average yield of 3264 kg ha-1. Chemical analyses of MT. RAINIER cones indicate its primary use as an aroma hop with slightly higher than normal bittering capabilities. Alpha acids averaged 7.3% (v/v) in Oregon and 9.53% (v/v) in Washington while beta acids averaged 6.7% (v/v) in Oregon and 7.68% (v/v) in Washington. MT. RAINIER has excellent storage capabilities with 71% of the alpha acids remaining after six month storage at room temperature. Cohumulone levels for this variety were also excellent with levels ranging from 21 to 24% with an overall Pacific Northwest average of 22.4%. The essential oil levels present in MT. RAINIER are similar to other "noble" hops like 'Halletauer Mittelfrueh' and 'Hersbrucker' with an average concentration for both Oregon and Washington of 0.91 mL 100g-1. Myrcene makes up the majority of the essential oils with an average of 61.5% (v/v). However, Mt. Rainier has high levels of the floral-like terpenoid, linalool, with levels regularly exceeding 1% (v/v) of the total essential oils. Caryophyllene levels average 5.1% (v/v) of the essential oils while humulene makes up 17.3% (v/v); resulting in a humulene to caryophyllene ratio of 3.39 (v/v). Minimal levels of the spice-like terpenoid, farnesene, were observed with levels less than 0.2% (v/v), while slightly higher than normal levels of the citrus-like terpenoid, limonene, were detected [0.58% (v/v)]. No significant infections of downy mildew [caused by Pseudoperonospora humuli (Miyabe. and Takah.) G.W. Wilson] have been observed in MT. RAINIER in any of the nursery trials. Resistance level to this disease is similar to the variety Fuggle and is classified as moderately resistant. Under normal growing conditions, early downy mildew infections are easily controlled with fungicides registered in the United States for use on hop.