Discover the best Cashmere Hop Substitute Melon that deliver the same vibrant melon and citrus character your beer craves without compromising flavor.
When you’re halfway through a brew day and realize you’re out of Cashmere hops, panic sets in. I’ve been there, staring at my recipe and wondering if I should scrap the whole batch. That moment taught me something valuable: understanding hop substitutes isn’t just about backup options—it’s about expanding your brewing toolkit and sometimes discovering combinations that work even better than your original plan.
Cashmere hops have earned their reputation in the craft brewing world for good reason. Released by Washington State University in 2013, this dual-purpose hop delivers an incredibly smooth mouthfeel alongside intense fruity flavors of lemon, lime, peach, and melon. But availability can be spotty, prices fluctuate, and sometimes you just want to experiment with different flavor profiles while maintaining that signature tropical-citrus character.
Understanding Cashmere Hop Characteristics
Before diving into substitutes, you need to know exactly what makes Cashmere special. This hop is a cross between Cascade and Northern Brewer, combining the best traits of both parents. The alpha acid content ranges from 7.7% to 9.1%, making it versatile enough for both bittering and aroma additions.
What really sets Cashmere apart is its oil profile. With myrcene levels around 40%, it delivers those fruity and citrus notes that dominate the aroma. The humulene content (26-29%) adds subtle woody and spicy undertones, while the low cohumulone (22-24%) ensures smooth bitterness rather than harsh edges. When I first used Cashmere in a hazy IPA, the silky mouthfeel genuinely lived up to its luxurious name.
The flavor profile combines lemon-lime brightness with cantaloupe and honeydew melon sweetness. Secondary notes include coconut, lemongrass, candied fruit, and subtle herbal characteristics. These complex layers emerge most prominently in late additions—whirlpool, knockout, and dry hopping—where the delicate aromatics don’t get boiled away.
Top Melon-Forward Hop Substitutes
Hüll Melon: The Closest Match
If melon character is what you’re chasing, Hüll Melon stands as the most obvious Cashmere substitute. This German hop, also descended from Cascade (just like Cashmere), was specifically bred to showcase honeydew melon and strawberry aromas. Released in 2012 by the Hop Research Center in Hüll, it’s become a favorite among brewers seeking fruit-forward profiles without aggressive bitterness.
Hüll Melon offers 6.9-8% alpha acids, slightly lower than Cashmere, but the oil composition tells the real story. With 35-37% myrcene, it delivers similar fruity characteristics, though the overall profile skews sweeter and more delicate. I’ve found that Hüll Melon works brilliantly in session IPAs and wheat beers where you want melon to take center stage without overwhelming the palate.
The key difference is that Hüll Melon is an aroma-specific hop, while Cashmere functions as dual-purpose. This means you’ll want to reserve Hüll Melon for late boil additions and dry hopping rather than early bittering charges. When substituting, use a 1:1 ratio for aroma additions, but pair it with a neutral bittering hop like Magnum if your recipe calls for Cashmere in the boil.
El Dorado: Tropical Intensity
El Dorado brings massive tropical fruit character that overlaps beautifully with Cashmere’s melon notes. Developed by CLS Farms in Washington and released in 2010, this hop has become a staple in juicy IPAs and hazy pale ales. The flavor profile features prominent pear, watermelon, and stone fruit notes with that characteristic hard candy sweetness.
With alpha acids ranging from 13-17%, El Dorado packs considerably more punch than Cashmere. This makes it excellent for dual-purpose use, though you’ll need to adjust your quantities. When I substitute El Dorado for Cashmere, I typically use about 60-70% of the original amount to account for the higher alpha content and more intense flavor.
The harvest timing of El Dorado significantly impacts its flavor expression. Early harvest lots showcase brighter citrus and pear notes, mid-season picks deliver deep tropical pineapple character, and late harvest selections lean toward candy and cherry. This versatility means you can dial in the exact profile you want, though it requires working directly with suppliers or checking harvest dates on packaging.
Best Lime and Citrus Alternatives
Cascade: The Parent Hop
Since Cashmere is literally half Cascade genetically, the parent hop makes a logical substitute. Cascade remains one of the most iconic American hops, released in 1972 and still representing about 10% of all U.S. hop production. The bright grapefruit and citrus character defined the American Pale Ale style, and those same qualities provide the citrus backbone in Cashmere.
Cascade offers 4.5-8.9% alpha acids, slightly lower than Cashmere, with a flavor profile emphasizing pink grapefruit, orange blossom, and floral notes. While it shares the lemon-lime character, Cascade lacks Cashmere’s pronounced melon sweetness and silky mouthfeel. The myrcene levels run higher in some lots (up to 55%), delivering intense citrus when dry hopped.
For substitution purposes, use Cascade in a 1:1 ratio but expect a sharper, more traditional citrus profile rather than Cashmere’s tropical smoothness. I’ve had success blending Cascade with a small amount of Hüll Melon (70/30 ratio) to recreate that melon-citrus balance. This combination gives you the lime kick from Cascade while the Hüll Melon adds back the honeydew sweetness.
Centennial: Super Cascade
Often called “Super Cascade,” Centennial amps up the citrus intensity while maintaining similar flavor characteristics. Released in 1990, this dual-purpose hop brings 9.5-11.5% alpha acids and a bold floral-citrus profile. The aroma leans toward tangerine and orange rather than lime specifically, but the overall effect creates that bright citrus punch you’re looking for.
Centennial works particularly well when you need both bittering and aroma from your substitute. The higher alpha content means you can use less hop material while achieving the same IBU targets. When substituting for Cashmere, I reduce the amount by about 15-20% to account for the stronger flavor and higher acids.
The key advantage of Centennial is availability and consistency. You can find it year-round from multiple suppliers, and crop variations tend to be minimal. This reliability matters when you’re planning production batches or brewing commercially.
Citra: Lime and Tropical Punch
Citra has become the most popular hop in craft brewing for good reason—it delivers explosive citrus and tropical fruit character that pairs naturally with Cashmere’s profile. The flavor descriptors include grapefruit, lime, peach, melon, passion fruit, and lychee. That overlap with Cashmere’s lime and melon notes makes it a strong substitute candidate.
With 10-15% alpha acids, Citra brings significant bittering potential alongside its aroma contributions. The challenge is that Citra can dominate a beer if used too heavily. When substituting for Cashmere, I typically use 60-70% of the original amount and expect a more aggressive, punchy character rather than Cashmere’s delicate smoothness.
Citra shines in combination with other hops. A 50/50 blend of Citra and Cascade, for example, can approximate Cashmere’s complexity while adding unique dimensions. The lime notes from Citra combine with Cascade’s grapefruit to create a full citrus spectrum.
Combination Strategies for Perfect Substitution
The Classic Melon-Citrus Blend
Sometimes a single hop can’t capture Cashmere’s complexity, but the right combination can. My go-to substitute blend uses 60% Cascade and 40% Hüll Melon. The Cascade provides the citrus backbone and lime notes, while Hüll Melon adds the honeydew sweetness and smooth mouthfeel. This combination works exceptionally well in pale ales and IPAs.
For a 5-gallon batch calling for 2 ounces of Cashmere in the whirlpool, I’d use 1.2 ounces of Cascade and 0.8 ounces of Hüll Melon. Add both at the same time to ensure proper integration. The result captures about 80-85% of Cashmere’s character at a fraction of the cost.
The Tropical Powerhouse Mix
When brewing hazy IPAs or fruit-forward styles, consider blending El Dorado with Mosaic. While this moves away from Cashmere’s specific profile, it delivers a similar impact in the finished beer. Use 50% El Dorado for watermelon and pear notes, combined with 50% Mosaic for additional berry and tropical complexity.
This blend works particularly well in dry hopping applications where you want massive fruit character. The El Dorado provides the melon foundation similar to Cashmere, while Mosaic adds layers of mango, berry, and stone fruit. I’ve used this combination in NEIPAs with excellent results, though the overall profile skews more intensely tropical than Cashmere alone would provide.
The German Precision Approach
For styles where subtlety matters—Kölsch, wheat beers, or session ales—an all-German substitute maintains Cashmere’s delicate nature. Combine Hüll Melon with Mandarina Bavaria (70/30 ratio) to achieve melon-citrus balance. Mandarina Bavaria contributes sweet orange and tangerine notes that complement Hüll Melon’s honeydew character without overwhelming it.
This combination works beautifully in lower gravity beers where Cashmere’s smooth mouthfeel and gentle fruit character shine. The German noble hop heritage ensures clean bitterness and refined aromatics rather than aggressive American hop intensity.
Brewing Considerations and Best Practices
Adjusting for Alpha Acid Content
Alpha acid percentages directly impact your beer’s bitterness level, so substitutions require mathematical adjustment. If your recipe calls for 2 ounces of Cashmere (8.4% average alpha) for bittering and you’re substituting with Centennial (10.5% average alpha), you need to reduce the amount to maintain the same IBUs.
Use this simple formula: (Cashmere AA% × Cashmere Amount) ÷ Substitute AA% = Substitute Amount. For our example: (8.4 × 2) ÷ 10.5 = 1.6 ounces of Centennial. This calculation ensures you hit your target bitterness without overshooting or falling short.
For aroma additions where bitterness isn’t the primary concern, flavor intensity matters more than alpha acids. Hops like Citra and El Dorado deliver such powerful aromatics that using the full calculated amount can overwhelm your beer. Start with 60-70% of the calculated substitution amount and adjust in future batches.
Timing Your Additions
Cashmere truly shines in late additions where its delicate fruit character emerges. When substituting, maintain this timing strategy regardless of which hop you choose. Early boil additions (60 minutes) strip away the subtle melon and lime notes that make Cashmere special, leaving only generic bitterness.
For whirlpool additions, I recommend a 20-30 minute steep at 170-180°F. This temperature range extracts maximum aroma compounds while minimizing harsh bitterness. Hüll Melon particularly benefits from this approach, as higher temperatures can drive off its delicate strawberry-melon character.
Dry hopping brings out the best in Cashmere substitutes. Add your hops when fermentation is about 75% complete (typically day 3-4 for ales) and allow 3-5 days of contact time. I’ve found that Cascade and Centennial need the full 5 days to express their citrus oils, while Hüll Melon and El Dorado reach peak expression in just 3 days.
Water Chemistry Matters
The sulfate-to-chloride ratio in your brewing water dramatically impacts how hop character expresses itself. Cashmere’s smooth character works well with balanced water profiles (sulfate and chloride both around 100-150 ppm). When substituting more aggressive hops like Citra or El Dorado, consider adjusting your water to emphasize chloride over sulfate.
A 1:2 sulfate-to-chloride ratio (like 75 ppm sulfate, 150 ppm chloride) softens aggressive hop edges and enhances perceived melon sweetness. This works particularly well when using El Dorado or Citra as Cashmere substitutes. Conversely, if you’re using Cascade or Centennial and want to emphasize citrus sharpness, increase sulfate to a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio with chloride.
Style-Specific Substitution Recommendations
IPAs and Pale Ales
For American IPAs and pale ales, Cashmere provides fruity aromatics without becoming cloying. The best substitutes maintain this balance while delivering appropriate bitterness. I recommend Centennial for West Coast-style IPAs where you want pronounced citrus and firm bitterness. Use it throughout the boil—60 minutes for bittering, 15 minutes for flavor, and whirlpool for aroma.
For hazy or New England IPAs, El Dorado captures Cashmere’s juicy character while adding tropical intensity. Combine it with Mosaic in a 60/40 ratio (El Dorado/Mosaic) and load up the whirlpool and dry hop additions. This pairing has become legendary in juicy IPAs, appearing in countless award-winning recipes.
Session IPAs benefit from Hüll Melon’s subtle approach. The lower alpha acids and delicate fruit character prevent the hop bitterness from overwhelming the lighter malt base. Use Hüll Melon exclusively for flavor and aroma additions, with a clean bittering hop like Magnum handling the early boil.
Sour and Fruited Ales
Cashmere works exceptionally well in sour beers, where its fruit character complements rather than competes with the tart base. The smooth bitterness doesn’t clash with acidity, and the melon-citrus notes enhance fruit additions. For substitutions in sours, Hüll Melon stands as the clear winner.
Add Hüll Melon late in the kettle boil (final 5 minutes or whirlpool) to preserve its delicate aromatics. The strawberry-melon character pairs beautifully with actual fruit additions like peach, apricot, or berry. I’ve used this combination in kettle sours and mixed-fermentation beers with excellent results—the hop aroma integrates seamlessly without announcing itself.
Avoid aggressive hops like Citra or heavily citrus-forward options in sours. The acidity amplifies hop bitterness and can create harsh, astringent flavors. Stick with gentle, fruit-forward options that complement the beer’s natural tartness.
Wheat Beers and Summer Seasonals
German wheat beers and American wheat ales showcase Cashmere’s lighter side—subtle fruit enhancement without hop domination. For traditional hefeweizens, skip American hops entirely and use Hüll Melon exclusively. This maintains the German character while adding a pleasant melon undertone that doesn’t interfere with yeast-derived banana and clove.
For American wheat ales and summer seasonals, a Cascade and Hüll Melon blend (50/50) delivers refreshing citrus-melon character. These beers should finish crisp and clean, making them perfect for hot weather. Keep total hop additions moderate—you want suggestion rather than statement.
Belgian-style wits can benefit from small amounts of Citra to enhance the existing citrus from coriander and orange peel. Use it sparingly (0.5 ounce per 5 gallons in the whirlpool) to add depth without overwhelming the delicate spice balance.
Cashmere Hop Substitute Melon Brett and Saison Styles
Farmhouse ales and Brett-fermented beers present unique challenges for hop substitution. The funky yeast character can either complement or clash with hop aromatics. Cashmere’s herbal and lemongrass notes work naturally with saison yeast phenolics. When substituting, look for hops with similar herbal complexity.
Cascade works brilliantly in saisons, providing citrus and floral notes that enhance the peppery yeast character. Use it moderately—1-2 ounces per 5 gallons in late additions. The grapefruit notes develop beautifully during extended aging and complement Brett’s earthy, fruity contributions.
For 100% Brett-fermented beers, I prefer simpler hop profiles that won’t compete with the complex fermentation character. A single addition of Centennial at flameout provides enough citrus interest without creating aromatic chaos. Brett produces its own fruity esters during fermentation, so less is definitely more with hops.
Cost and Availability Considerations
Price Point Analysis
Hop prices fluctuate based on crop yields, demand, and availability. As of 2025, Cashmere typically costs $3-5 per ounce for homebrewers, positioning it in the mid-to-upper price range. Understanding the cost implications of substitution can impact your brewing budget significantly.
Cascade remains one of the most affordable hops, usually $2-3 per ounce due to high production volumes and consistent availability. If budget matters, Cascade makes an excellent everyday substitute despite lacking Cashmere’s melon character. Centennial prices similarly, making it another economical choice for volume brewing.
Hüll Melon and El Dorado fall into similar price ranges as Cashmere ($3-5 per ounce), so you won’t save money with these substitutes. However, they might be more readily available depending on your supplier relationships. Citra often commands premium pricing ($4-6 per ounce) due to high demand, making it a more expensive substitute option.
Sourcing and Seasonality
U.S.-grown hops like Cashmere, Cascade, Centennial, and El Dorado get harvested in late August through September. Fresh crop typically hits retail shelves by October, offering the best aroma and lowest prices. Buying during harvest season and vacuum-sealing for freezer storage ensures year-round availability.
German hops like Hüll Melon follow a slightly different timeline, with harvest occurring late August through September. However, shipping and processing delays mean fresh German hops often don’t reach U.S. retailers until November or December. Plan accordingly if you’re brewing styles where absolute freshness matters.
Building relationships with hop suppliers can provide access to pre-order programs, contract pricing, and early access to new crop. This matters particularly for high-demand varieties like Citra and Mosaic, which can sell out quickly. Many suppliers offer pound quantities at significant discounts—consider splitting with brewing friends to reduce costs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Over-Substituting Multiple Hops
The biggest mistake I see brewers make is trying to replace every hop in a recipe simultaneously. If your recipe calls for Cashmere, Mosaic, and Amarillo, don’t substitute all three at once. Change one hop at a time so you can understand how each substitution impacts the finished beer.
When you must substitute multiple hops, maintain similar flavor families. If replacing Cashmere with Hüll Melon, keep other citrus-forward hops unchanged. This preserves the recipe’s overall character while adapting to ingredient availability.
Ignoring Harvest Year
Hop characteristics vary significantly between harvest years based on weather, growing conditions, and harvest timing. A 2024 crop of Cascade might emphasize grapefruit, while 2025’s crop could lean more toward orange and floral notes. Always check harvest year labels and adjust expectations accordingly.
I learned this lesson the hard way when substituting “Cascade” in a pale ale recipe. The previous batch used 2023 crop with pronounced citrus, while my substitution used 2025 crop that skewed more floral. The beer wasn’t bad, but it definitely tasted different. Check your supplier’s website for crop year tasting notes to make informed decisions.
Using Substitutes in Bittering Additions
While Cashmere functions as a dual-purpose hop, its real magic happens in late additions. Using expensive substitutes like Citra or El Dorado for 60-minute bittering additions wastes their aromatic potential and your money. Save premium hops for whirlpool and dry hop additions where their character shines.
For bittering, switch to clean, neutral hops like Magnum, Warrior, or Columbus. These high-alpha varieties provide efficient bitterness without adding conflicting flavors. Reserve your Cashmere substitutes for the flavor and aroma additions where they actually matter.
Experimenting With Your Own Blends
The Brewer’s Laboratory Approach
Creating custom hop blends separates good brewers from great ones. Start with small batches (1-2 gallons) where ingredient costs stay low and experimentation feels safe. Brew the same base recipe multiple times with different hop combinations, keeping detailed notes on each variation.
For a Cashmere substitute experiment, I recommend brewing 5 one-gallon batches simultaneously: one with Cashmere as control, one with Hüll Melon, one with El Dorado, one with a Cascade/Hüll Melon blend, and one with your own creative combination. Taste them side-by-side after conditioning to evaluate differences.
Document everything: hop amounts, addition timing, water chemistry, fermentation temperatures, and sensory impressions. Over time, you’ll build a personal database of hop knowledge that’s more valuable than any substitution chart. My brewing notes from the past decade have become my most valuable brewing resource.
Sensory Evaluation Techniques
Proper tasting technique reveals subtle differences between hop varieties. Pour samples into identical glasses, evaluate appearance first, then aroma, then flavor. For hop-forward beers, aroma contributes 60-70% of the overall impression, so spend time really smelling each beer.
When comparing Cashmere substitutes, look specifically for melon sweetness, lime/lemon citrus, smoothness of bitterness, and overall mouthfeel. Rate each characteristic on a 1-10 scale to quantify differences. You might find that Hüll Melon scores higher for melon (9/10) but lower for lime (5/10) compared to Cashmere.
Involve other people in tastings, especially those unfamiliar with your recipe goals. Their unbiased feedback often reveals things you’ve overlooked. When I’m testing substitutions, I have at least 3-4 other brewers taste blind alongside me to ensure my personal preferences aren’t skewing results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest substitute for Cashmere hops?
Hüll Melon provides the closest match to Cashmere’s melon character, though it lacks the pronounced lime notes. For overall similarity including citrus elements, a blend of 60% Cascade and 40% Hüll Melon recreates Cashmere’s complexity most accurately. This combination captures the lime-melon balance while maintaining smooth bitterness.
Can I use Citra instead of Cashmere hops?
Yes, Citra works as a Cashmere substitute, but expect a more aggressive, citrus-forward profile with less melon sweetness. Use 60-70% of the original Cashmere amount due to Citra’s higher alpha acids and more intense flavor. Citra excels in hop-forward IPAs where its bold character complements rather than competes with other ingredients.
How do Cascade and Cashmere hops differ?
Cascade is Cashmere’s parent hop, providing the genetic citrus foundation but lacking the pronounced melon character. Cascade emphasizes grapefruit and floral notes with sharper bitterness, while Cashmere delivers smoother bitterness with significant melon, peach, and coconut undertones. Cashmere also has a distinctly silkier mouthfeel compared to Cascade’s cleaner, crisper finish.
What hops pair well with Cashmere substitutes?
Mosaic and Citra pair exceptionally well with Cashmere substitutes, adding complementary berry and tropical fruit notes. When using Hüll Melon as a substitute, Mandarina Bavaria or Hallertau Blanc enhance the fruit character while maintaining balance. For Cascade-based substitutions, Centennial and Amarillo create classic American citrus-forward profiles.
Is El Dorado a good substitute for Cashmere?
El Dorado works well when you want to maintain tropical fruit character, particularly watermelon and pear notes that overlap with Cashmere’s melon profile. However, El Dorado’s higher alpha acids (13-17% vs Cashmere’s 7.7-9.1%) and more intense flavor require reducing quantities by 30-40%. It’s best suited for juicy IPAs and hazy ales where bold fruit character is desired.
Can I substitute Cashmere in sour beers?
Absolutely—Hüll Melon makes the best substitute for Cashmere in sour and fruited beers. Its delicate melon-strawberry character complements tartness without adding harsh bitterness. Use it in whirlpool or late kettle additions only, avoiding early boil additions that would clash with the beer’s acidity. The subtle fruit notes enhance rather than compete with actual fruit additions.
What’s the difference between Cashmere and Centennial hops?
Centennial delivers more intense citrus (tangerine and orange) with higher alpha acids (9.5-11.5% vs Cashmere’s 7.7-9.1%), while Cashmere emphasizes melon, lime, and smooth tropical fruit. Centennial works better for bittering due to its higher alpha content, whereas Cashmere shines in aroma applications. Centennial also costs less and maintains better year-to-year consistency.
How much Hüll Melon equals one ounce of Cashmere?
Use a 1:1 substitution ratio for aroma additions—one ounce of Hüll Melon replaces one ounce of Cashmere in whirlpool and dry hop applications. However, Hüll Melon shouldn’t replace Cashmere in bittering additions due to its aroma-specific nature. If your recipe uses Cashmere for bittering, add a neutral hop like Magnum to reach target IBUs.
About the Author
John Brewster is a passionate homebrewer with over a decade of experience experimenting with different beer styles. After working at three craft breweries and winning several regional homebrew competitions, John now dedicates his time to developing innovative recipes and teaching brewing techniques. His specialty lies in creating unique flavor profiles by combining traditional brewing methods with unexpected ingredients. When not tending to his five fermenters, John enjoys pairing his creations with artisanal cheeses and hosting tasting sessions for friends and family. Connect with him at [email protected] for brewing questions and recipe advice.
