The hop formerly known as WCHB-102 and 2B now has a name, Celeste
Celeste™ is a new hop variety from West Coast Hop Breeding. Until now, it was known as WCHB 102 and 2B. Since 2023, brewers have conducted commercial trials with Celeste, using it to create a range of beer styles—from hazy IPAs and West Coast IPAs to stripped-down hoppy pilsners. Brewers even featured Celeste™ in the Farm Aid collaborative beer to highlight family hop farmers.
The name reflects what WCHB calls Celeste’s “heavenly beauty.” They describe the hop as possessing bright, sweet, and clean notes of passion fruit, honeydew, and pine. Here is the official announcement.
West Coast Hop Breeding Announces Celeste™
Celestially High Efficiency Aroma Variety
St.Paul, OR — April 2nd, 2026 — West Coast Hop Breeding is pleased to announce the release of Celeste™. Celeste™, formerly known by experimental names WCHB-102 and 2B, is named for heavenly beauty. Celeste™ features bright, sweet, and clean notes of passion fruit, honeydew, and pine.
● Pat Leavy has been breeding hops for organic production in Oregon’s challenging climate for over 30 years.
● Celeste™ represents a breakthrough in combining excellent agronomics and an intense contemporary aroma profile.
● High yield plus high aroma intensity means Celeste™ is one of the most efficient and sustainable sources of hop aroma!
Celeste™ has been in commercial trials since 2023 gathering steam and reputation in all styles from hazy IPA to West Coast IPA to stunning in stripped down hoppy pilsners – including in the Farm Aid collaborative beer to highlight the story of family hop farmers.
Celeste™ is available now through The Hop Guild, Charles Faram Canada and US, and direct through West Coast Hop Breeding.
About West Coast Hop Breeding
West Coast Hop Breeding (WHCB) is a collaborative hop breeding project comprised of five independent Oregon hop farming families. The company was established in 2016 to ensure that Oregon hop growers have a sustainable future by developing excellent aroma varieties that thrive in Oregon’s unique soil and climate growing conditions. “Sustainable hops for the future.”
