Pacific Sunrise™ Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Pacific Sunrise™ is a modern powerhouse that captures the absolute essence of the New Zealand hop revolution. While it was originally released by the HortResearch program in 2000, it has recently seen a significant resurgence in the craft market. Its complex pedigree—drawing from Cluster, Fuggle, and New Zealand male hops—allows it to function as a formidable dual-purpose variety. Whether used for its high-alpha bittering efficiency or its massive aromatic impact, Pacific Sunrise™ represents a fruit-forward juggernaut transformed by the unique New Zealand terroir.

The sensory profile of Pacific Sunrise™ is a vivid and intense celebration of tropical sunshine. It leads with a primary, "juicy" bouquet of ripe melon, mango, and crushed pineapple, followed by a vibrant secondary layer of zesty lemon and sweet navel orange. As the profile develops, brewers will find a refined herbal "dankness" and a subtle [tag]floral/[tag] hint that provides a crisp, refreshing edge. Thanks to its exceptionally high oil saturation and firm alpha acid content, this hop shines in late-kettle, whirlpool, and dry-hop additions, delivering a bold, punchy bitterness and a lingering, candy-like fruit finish.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Pacific Sunrise, the best alternatives are Citra®, Nelson Sauvin™, or Vic Secret™.

At A Glance

Profile Ripe Melon, Mango, Crushed Pineapple, Zesty Lemon, Sweet Navel Orange, Herbal, Dank, Floral
Purpose Dual: Aroma and Bittering
Alpha Acid 12.5 - 14.5%
Substitutes Citra®, Nelson Sauvin™, Vic Secret™
Pairs with Citra® (to create an unstoppable "super-fruit" punch), Motueka™ (to add a lime-citrus lift), Nelson Sauvin™ (to amplify the tropical and white grape notes)
Beer Styles Hazy India Pale Ale, New England India Pale Ale, West Coast India Pale Ale, Hoppy Pilsner

General Information

Country New Zealand
Aliases Pac Sunrise, Horticulture ID: 00-24-11
Storage Stability
Maintains 60% - 70% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 12.5 - 14.5%
Beta Acid 6.0 - 7.0%
Cohumulone 28.0 - 33.0%
Total Oil 2.0 - 3.0 ml/100g
Myrcene 35.0 - 45.0%
Humulene 15.0 - 20.0%
Caryophyllene 5.0 - 10.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool ~0.6%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,800 - 2,200 lbs/acre
Maturity Mid to late season
Growth Rate Very high
Cones Large, dense, and heavily laden with lupulin. The cones are noted for their high resin content and p
Ease of Harvest Excellent; the bines are structurally strong, and the variety is well-suited for high-efficiency mec
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium green
Side Arm Length 20" - 35" (medium to long)

Pacific Sunrise Aroma/Flavor Profile

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Dank Floral Herbal Lemon Mango Melon Orange Pineapple
Variety Name
Citra Cluster Fuggle Motueka Nelson Sauvin Vic Secret
Beer Style
Hazy India Pale Ale Hoppy Pilsner New England India Pale Ale West Coast India Pale Ale
Usage
Dual: Aroma And Bittering
Origin
New Zealand
Breeding/Supplier
Hortresearch
Last Updated
  • 2026-04-15 13:44:50
Source(s)

Hops Catalog

Navigating This Profile
  • The Stats: Use the Purpose and Alpha % to understand the hop's bitterness and aromatic strength.
  • Discovery Tags: Scroll down to find clickable tags for Flavor, Origin, and Usage.
  • The Network: Click any tag (like #Citrus or #New Zealand) to instantly view every other hop in our catalog that shares that trait.
Discovery Tag Spotlight

  • #Stone-Fruit (Orchard Vibe)

    Saturday is for smooth sipping. From fuzzy peach to ripe apricot, these hops add a soft, rounded sweetness to the aroma of Pale Ales and Sours. Explore #Stone-Fruit Hops!
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Did you know?
  • Dwarf variety hops grow shorter in height than traditional varieties but, importantly, produce the same yield. This combination makes harvest easier.
Explanations
  • Storage: is based on the percentage of alpha acids remaining after 6 months at 20*F.
  • Oil composition percetages are based on the total percentage of oil in the hop. Example: 10 - 20% means that for the specific oil it is 10 - 20% of the overall oil make up.