HBC 472

Complex - coconut-oak-orange, supported with herbal, spicy, and tropical fruit notes.

Where It Lives

• Spicy & Earthy (primary)
• Floral & Herbal (secondary)
• Tropical & Citrus (tertiary)

Storytime

HBC 472 is an experimental hop from the Hop Breeding Company. Bit more challenging to pin down than most - it has a more layered and complex character than many modern tropical hops, with a prominent herbal and spicy profile alongside woody and coconut notes. While it does carry tropical fruit and citrus, those sit more in the background compared to its herbal, spicy, and slightly woody personality. This makes it stand out as a more nuanced hop rather than a straightforward fruit bomb.

Key Specs

• Alpha Acids: 12 – 15%
• Total Oil: 2.5 – 3.5 mL/100g
• Origin: United States
• Form: Pellet
• Common Substitutions: Citra or Mosaic (in some recipes)
• More tech specs here

Practical Use

HBC 472 works well in late boil, whirlpool, and dry hopping. Because of its herbal, spicy, and woody character, it brings more complexity than a typical tropical hop, but it can still feel dominant if used too heavily. Most people find 2–4 oz total in 5 gallons works well when used as a supporting hop. It tends to perform best when layered with other hops rather than used completely on its own.

Brew day tip: It pairs especially well with hops like Citra, Mosaic, or Galaxy when you want to add herbal and spicy depth alongside tropical fruit.