Galaxy
Galaxy is Australia's flagship hop and one of the most intensely aromatic varieties on Earth. Bred in Victoria and released in 2009, it brought a saturated passionfruit and peach character that made it a defining hop of the global New England IPA boom.
#Variety Statistics
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Alpha acid | ~11–16% |
| Origin | Australia (Victoria) |
| Year released | 2009 |
| Breeding | Hop Products Australia; a cross of an Australian female with a German variety |
| Key oils | Exceptionally high total oil (often 2.5–4 mL/100g) |
| Flavor descriptors | Passionfruit, peach, citrus, mango, "ripe fruit" |
| Typical styles | New England IPA, Double IPA, American IPA, Milkshake IPA |
#Character
Galaxy is famous for its enormous oil content — among the highest of any commercial hop — translating into a thick, saturated wave of passionfruit and ripe stone fruit. There is little pine or dank here; it is pure tropical fruit, which is why it became a darling of hazy and juice-forward brewing.
#Use in IPA
Galaxy is almost always used late — whirlpool and dry hop — where its oils can survive. Its intensity means a little goes a long way; it is often the headline hop in a blend rather than a supporting player.
Galaxy's intensity cuts both ways. Overdosed or poorly handled, it can turn from juicy passionfruit toward a vegetal, "green" or onion-tinged note. It is also a proprietary hop with limited acreage — supply is tight and pricing high, as discussed in Hop Contracts and the Hop Supply Chain.
#Continue Reading
- Nelson Sauvin — the other great Southern Hemisphere hop
- Hop Terroir — why the Southern crop matters
- Hop Variety Index — Galaxy in context
- New England IPA — the style Galaxy supercharged