Hop Quality Group and USDA-ARS Introduce THORA: A Bold New Public Hop Variety Bringing the Thunder to Modern Brewing

(October 16, 2025) – The Hop Quality Group (HQG), in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), is proud to announce the release of USDA-ARS Thora, a new public hop variety crafted to elevate modern hop-forward beers. Named after the Old Norse word Þórr, meaning "thunder", Thora delivers a powerful sensory experience from field to glass.

Thora, formerly known as HQG4, is the first hop variety to emerge from the collaborative efforts of HQG and USDA-ARS, initiated in 2015 to develop hops that combine agronomic performance with the sensory qualities demanded by today's craft brewers. This collaboration brought together HQG's community of over 50 U.S. craft brewers with USDA-ARS experts, including Dr. John Henning and Angela Randazzo, to create a hop that resonates with the needs of both growers and brewers. "Thora is the culmination of over a decade of hard work by the Hop Quality Group to make meaningful change within the hop industry," said Eric Desmarais, 4th generation owner of CLS Farms.

HQG members were deeply involved in Thora's development, participating in every stage from early rub-and-sniff evaluations and brewing trials to advanced thiol analysis, ensuring the variety delivers on quality and performance. "What makes Thora truly unique is how a collection of brewers have been part of the process from the very beginning, shaping its direction and creating value for both the hop and brewing industries," said Blake Crosby, CEO of Crosby Hops.

Thora stands out with its intense and complex aroma, bursting with notes of passionfruit, guava, grapefruit, and stone fruit, underscored by resinous and dank undertones. Brewers who have had the opportunity to brew with Thora love it. "Brewing with it revealed just how expressive this hop truly is—bursting with tropical character and layered with subtle citrus and stone fruit notes," said Vinnie Cilurzo, Co-Owner, Russian River Brewing Company and founding HQG member. This bold profile is driven by remarkably high concentrations of thiols—compounds like 4MMP, 3S4MP, and 3MH—that meet or exceed levels found in most existing U.S. hop cultivars, making Thora one of the most thiol-rich hops available in the U.S. These compounds contribute to its punchy tropical fruit character, making it an ideal choice for IPAs and other bold, hop-forward beer styles.

Beyond its sensory prowess, Thora offers robust agronomic qualities. With alpha acids averaging 8.7%, a smooth bitterness profile, early to mid-season maturity, disease resistance, and competitive yields, Thora is as practical for growers as it is exciting for brewers. "It's been exciting to watch this variety prove its potential in both field performance and unique aroma," said Nate Jackson, owner of Jackson Hops. Its versatility and reliability make it a standout addition to the public hop variety lineup.

Thora is now available in limited commercial quantities from select farms across various growing regions in the Pacific Northwest, with plans for expanded acreage in the 2026 harvest season to meet growing demand. Brewers eager to harness Thora's thunderous potential are encouraged to act quickly due to its limited initial supply.

About Hop Quality Group: Founded in 2010 and incorporated in 2011 as a California Nonprofit Mutual Benefit Corporation, the Hop Quality Group is a coalition of over 50 U.S. craft brewers dedicated to advancing hop quality. Through partnerships with growers, processors, and dealers, HQG fosters dialogue to ensure the highest standards in hop production for the craft brewing community.