Smaragd is another interesting hop to come out of the Hop Research Institute in Hüll, Germany. Bred with the purpose of creating a more disease resistant alternative to Hallertau Mittelfrüh, it was released for large-scale production in 2007. Meaning ‘emerald’ in German, Smaragd is a low acid, low cohumulone aroma hop with an interesting oil balance. Myrcene and farnesene make …
Bouclier
Emerging in 2005, Bouclier is a cross between Alsace-grown Strisselspalt and a wild male from Wye, Kent. It is unclear however if this variety was first developed in the UK or across the Channel in France. The aroma of the cones is herby and grassy with a sniff of spice. In a brew, Bouclier extracts a citrusy and floral character …
Tettnanger (US)
This variety has created so much industry confusion. In fact, you can still find sites online that describe American Tettnanger as a true Tettnanger. In reality, it is a clone of rhizomes imported as Swiss Tettnanger. Recent tests have shown it to be genetically distinct from the original land race, Tettnang Tettnanger. Instead, the US varietal is more likely a …
Simcoe®
Released to the world in 2000 by Yakima Chief Ranches, American variety Simcoe® has become wildly popular with craft brewers. With a high alpha percentage and low cohumulone, it makes a very nice foundational bittering hop. It is also noted though for its favorable aroma qualities. It has a pleasantly fruity, yet earthy herbal and piney aroma. Flying Fish used …
Smooth Cone
Smooth Cone is a New Zealand hop variety. It is no longer grown commercially but can still be found. Developed in the 1960’s, the variety was introduced alongside two other Black Root Rot resistant varieties, First Choice and Calicross after the disease savaged New Zealand’s hops industry during the mid 20th century. It is the offspring of an open pollination …
Southern Cross
Southern Cross was created by New Zealand’s HortResearch breeding program as a cross between Smooth Cone and the result of a Californian and English Fuggle. It was released in 1994. In brewing, citrus and Spice and everything nice is how one might describe New Zealand’s Southern Cross variety. A soft bitterness makes it a good early addition to the boil. …
Southern Promise
Southern Promise was bred specifically for the South African region. Created from Southern Brewer and a wild Slovenian male, it was developed in an effort to produce a variety that would grow well in areas with limited sunlight. It has fairly high alpha acids and low cohumulone giving it bright and smooth bittering qualities. It is largely considered a nice …
Sterling
Sterling was successfully bred to overcome Saaz’s susceptibility to mildew. Developed over 8 years in Corvallis, Oregon it was released in 1998. Sterling’s oil content is rather unusual with both very high farnesene and very low carophyllene. This creates a delicately spiced, citrusy aroma with both a floral and herbal punch. Sterling’s heritage is complex too and is the result …
Sticklebract
Sticklebract is a dual-use New Zealand variety and another variety bred to stem the issues from Black Root Rot that were present in the country during the mid 20th century. It was selected as a seedling in the 1970’s from open pollinated First Choice. Stickleback’s dominant aroma comes from high selinene and high myrcene resulting in a somewhat English, piney-citrusy …
Dr Rudi
Originally known as SuperAlpha, the variety was renamed to Dr Rudi in 2012. It was bred from New Zealand Smooth Cone and is largely grown in New Zealand. It was originally released in 1976. Considered a bittering hop, Dr Rudi is now widely regarded as dual-use and features a grassy, piney, citrus character. It is also well known for its …