Amarillo a.k.a. VGXP01
The orange-forward aroma standard.
What it tastes like
Amarillo is what you taste when an IPA reminds you of orange juice. It's softer and more rounded than Citra or Centennial — orange peel, tangerine, floral, with a touch of stone fruit. It pairs beautifully with darker malty styles too.
Best in these styles
Tasting Tip
Three Floyds Zombie Dust is Amarillo's most famous showcase. If you can find one fresh, it's the cleanest expression of what this hop offers.Beers showcasing Amarillo
- Zombie DustThree Floyds
- FuriousSurly
Substitutes & relatives
If you can't source Amarillo, these hops bring overlapping character.
For brewers — technical profile
Alpha Acid
8–11%
Beta Acid
6–7%
Total Oil
1.5–1.9 mL/100g
Oil composition
myrcene
60-70%
humulene
9-11%
caryophyllene
2-4%
farnesene
2-4%
History
A natural hybrid discovered on Virgil Gamache Farms in Toppenish WA. Released as a proprietary variety in 2003, Amarillo grew quickly because it filled a gap between Cascade-style citrus and the bigger Centennial profile.
Freshness Note
Holds up well — a 90-day-old Zombie Dust is still excellent.