KARMA™
Hop Variety Characteristics and Specifications

KARMA™

Karma Hop Variety

A US grown hop from a collaboration project between Charles Faram and Puterbaugh Farms.

History of the Karma Hop Variety

Charles Faram and Puterbaugh Farms have been working together since 1998 when a chance meeting at the Craft Brewers Conference brought them together. After initially cross trading a few US and UK and European hops the relationship blossomed. In 2002 a team from the UK decided that sales of US hops had grown sufficiently to justify a trip to Yakima for hop selection. This uncovered new varieties and new flavours that were later to become mainstays for both Puterbaugh Farms and Charles Faram.

Parentage of the Karma Hop Variety

Charles Faram established a breeding programme in the UK in 2009 and new varieties then followed. Hundreds of crosses were made and with vast numbers of offspring it made sense for some of these to be grown in the US to see how the Yakima “terroir” would affect the plants. Karma™ is a daughter of Mystic® and a disease resistant UK male. Its Grandmother is Jester® and its Great Grand Mother is Cascade so it could be said it is a bit of a homecoming for a long lost relative.

Growing Karma Hops

The Karma hops grow differently to most US hops and produce far fewer leaves; however, this allows more room for the precious cones to grow. Karma yields well, and more will be planted as required. The variety ripens far earlier in the season than most US hops and therefore provides up to an extra week of picking for the grower. An important consideration when picking machines and kilns are typically only working 5-6 weeks per year.

Where are Karma Hops grown

Karma was first grown as a seedling in the US in 2015 and has been under the Puterbaugh’s excellent care and supervision ever since.
They are available to brewers in the US, UK and EU. Hops Direct (www.hopsdirect.com) Charles Faram (www.charlesfaram.com).

Flavour profile of the Karma Hop

Karma offers a balanced flavour profile that combines classic heritage with modern character.
Soft lemon, blackcurrant, pine and peach

Recommended Beer styles for use with Karma Hops

Its delicate light fruit flavour would delight any lager or pilsner.
Karma would work well balancing heavy fruit/hop flavours in Hazy IPAs or Pale Ales
It would be an ideal base hop for a porter or stout