← Hops
Columbus
bittering · USA
High-alpha American bittering and dual-purpose hop, also marketed as Tomahawk and Zeus (CTZ). Strong dank, earthy, and herbal character with black pepper and subtle citrus. Widely used in West Coast IPAs for its clean, assertive bitterness.
3 brews
About
Part of the CTZ (Columbus/Tomahawk/Zeus) group of similar proprietary varieties, Columbus has very high alpha acids that make it one of the most efficient US bittering hops. It carries a pungent, dank, earthy and slightly spicy black-pepper-and-licorice character with subtle citrus that survives into late additions, and is a workhorse base in American commercial brewing.
Specs
- Alpha acids
- 14.0–18.0%
- Beta acids
- 4.5–5.5%
- Co-humulone
- 28–35% rel.
- Total oil
- 1.5–2.5 ml/100g
Oil composition
Use rates
- Bittering
- Primary use; very high alpha means small additions (≈15–20 g for 25–35 IBU in 20 L at 60 min)
- Flavour
- 0.5–1 g/L for an earthy/dank note
- Whirlpool
- 1–2 g/L
- Dry hop
- 2–5 g/L; contributes earthy/dank character
Pairings
- Grains
- Pale malt; suits the bigger grain bills of stronger beers
- Other hops
- Centennial, Cascade, Citra
- Styles
- West Coast IPA, Double IPA, American Barleywine, Pale Ale
Substitutes
In your brews
Used in 3 brews 2025-02-23 → 2026-04-24
Total used 205 g ~68 g/batch
Most used at Dry hop