Released in 1993, Spalter Select was bred in Hüll, Germany in an effort to increase yield potential and disease resistant and serve as a commercial replacement for Spalt. These efforts were quite successful. The result of a cross of Spalt and Hallertau Mittelfrüher, Spalter Select retains some of the finer characteristics of both these varieties and is considered a slightly …
Strisselspalt
Strisselspalt hails from the Alsace region of France around Strasbourg and is likely related to German Spalt and/or Hersbrucker hops. Thought to be an old land race, its acreage is dwindling due to its inherent low yield but it survives largely on the back of a strong domestic demand for the variety. It is considered a pleasant continental-style aroma hop …
Triskel
Developed in France in 2006, Triskel is a cultivar of the French hop, Strisselspalt and English varietal, Yeoman. With a more pronounced nose than its French parent, Triskel makes a unique first wort alternative and its notable aroma qualities make it well suited as a late addition or for dry hopping. Highly desired for Belgian-style or lighter ales, it features …
Vanguard
Vanguard hops possess a unique acid profile. They feature a somewhat rare balance of low alpha acid and high beta acid and an oil profile dominated by high levels of humulene and yet very low levels of cohumulone. Despite exhibiting some similarities to Hallertau Mittelfrüh, surely as a result of their close lineage, this unusual profile gives Vanguard a pronounced …
East Kent Golding
East Kent Golding is often thought of as the ultimate English hop. Grown exclusively in Kent, England and descended from Canterbury Whitebine, it is a centuries old variety. Despite claims to the contrary, it is identical to Canterbury Golding. The two names have been used interchangeably for some time. Canterbury is a town in East Kent and the hop was …
Ahil
Ahil hops are somewhat hard to come by with its cultivation in Slovenia having been severely reduced. There has also been some confusion over its true classification. It was introduced as a Superstyrian hop in 1972 care of hop breeder, Dr Tone Wagner at the Hop Research Institute in Zalec. In actuality though, it is not a Superstyrian, it’s a …
Atlas
Released in the 1970’s, Atlas enjoys both good bittering and aroma qualities with intense notes of lime, blossom and pine. Like its siblings Aurora, Ahil and Apolon, Atlas has been cut back in commercial production over industry confusion stemming from its incorrect classification as a Super Styrian. It’s a Slovenian breed but is in actuality a seedling of Brewer’s Gold. …
Bianca
Bianca (a.k.a. Bianco and Bianca Gold), with its lemon yellow color and red-brown to pink contrasting stem, is bred strictly as an ornamental hop. It must be grown in semi-shaded areas as its light leaves are subject to leaf burn in the sun. While not bred for commercial use, it is said that the cones can be used for flavoring …
Equinox
Developed by The Hop Breeding Company, a joint venture between John I Haas and the Select Botanicals Group, Equinox is a distinctive aroma hop. Planted originally in Toppenish, Washington and officially unveiled in 2014, its use is said to bring with it notes of lemon and lime citrus, fruits like papaya and apple as well as green peppers and herbs. …
Melba
Bred by Ellerslie Hop Estate, Melba or “The Dame of Hops” as it is affectionately known, is a dual-use variety with high oil content and similarities to Galaxy. When used as an early addition, it is said to impart a clean and somewhat spicy bitterness. When used as an flavor or aroma addition though, properties of passionfruit, grapefruit and citrus …