What type of hops were commonly used in the first American lagers?

The common use of Nugget hops in early American lagers is tied to their unique characteristics. Nugget hops were developed in Oregon in the 1950s and became popular for their high alpha acid content, contributing bitterness and aromatic qualities to beers. These hops were among the earliest varieties cultivated in the United States for use in lagers, particularly as American brewing began to take off and brewers sought hops that would provide a consistent flavor profile and bitterness.

While other hop varieties like Hallertau, Saaz, and Fuggle are known for their traditional roles in European brewing, particularly in styles like Pilsners and ales, they did not gain the same foothold in early American lager production as Nugget hops did. The growing American craft beer movement and the desire for distinctively American flavor profiles also helped drive the adoption of Nugget hops in commercial lager production during that era.

Therefore, understanding the historical context and the development of hop varieties in the U.S. clearly identifies Nugget hops as the correct choice for the hops commonly used in early American lagers.