Melba Hops

Dual: Aroma and BitteringAlpha 7.0 - 10.0%Australia

Melba is a radiant and sophisticated dual-purpose hop that captures the vibrant spirit of the Australian hop industry. Released by the Ellerslie Hop Estate, Melba is a descendant of Brewer’s Gold and an unknown male variety. It was specifically bred to bridge the gap between traditional bittering reliability and the explosive aromatic demands of modern craft brewing. Often celebrated for its high oil content—frequently compared to the legendary GalaxyMelba provides a consistent, high-performance profile that has made it a staple for brewers looking to impart a distinctly Southern Hemisphere character to their recipes.

The sensory profile of Melba is a stunning and sun-drenched arrangement of sweet stone fruits and ripe tropical citrus. It leads with a primary, "orchard-fresh" bouquet of juicy passionfruit, white peach/[tag], and [tag]nectarine, followed by a sophisticated secondary layer of grapefruit zest and a hint of fresh pine. As the profile develops, brewers will find a pleasant creamy sweetness—reminiscent of fruit candy—and a subtle floral undertone that remains exceptionally polished on the palate. Thanks to its high oil concentration and balanced alpha acid range, Melba delivers a smooth, integrated bitterness and a crisp, fruit-saturated finish.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Melba, the best alternatives are Cascade, Ella, Galaxy, or Vic Secret.

At A Glance

ProfilePassionfruit, White Peach, Nectarine, Grapefruit, Pine
PurposeDual: Aroma and Bittering
Alpha Acid7.0 - 10.0%
SubstitutesCascade, Ella, Galaxy, Vic Secret
Pairs withCitra® (to push the tropical citrus into high gear), Galaxy (to amplify passionfruit), Vic Secret (to bridge the fruit with pine/pineapple)
Beer StylesIndia Pale Ale, Northeast India Pale Ale, Summer Ale, Pale Ale, Saison

General Information

Country
Australia
Alias
The dame of hops
Storage Stability
Good

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid
7.0 - 10.0%
Beta Acid
2.5 - 5.0%
Cohumulone
25.0 - 30.0%
Total Oil
1.5 - 2.5 ml/100g
Myrcene
35.0 - 50.0%
Humulene
15.0 - 25.0%
Caryophyllene
5.0 - 10.0%
Farnesene
< 1.0%
Linalool
0.4 - 0.7%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield
1,600 - 2,000 lbs/acre
Maturity
Mid Season
Growth Rate
High / Vigorous
Cones
Medium-sized, oval, and moderately dense. The cones are noted for their high lupulin saturation and
Ease of Harvest
Excellent; specifically selected for its suitability for modern mechanical picking. The bines are st
Sex
Female
Leaf Color
Medium Green
Side Arm Length
20" - 30" (medium)

Melba Aroma/Flavor Profile

Aroma
Flavor
CitrusTropical FruitStone FruitApple/PearMelonBerryFloralSpicy/HerbalPineResinGrassEarthy/WoodyOnion/GarlicDank/Catty

Discovery Tags

Origin

Breeding/Supplier

Last Updated
  • 2026-05-01 16:13:40