- Home
- Hop Catalog
- Melba
Melba™ Hops
Dual: Aroma and BitteringAlpha 7.0 - 10.0%Australia
Flavor & aroma
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 Galaxy™—Melba™ 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.
If you can't find Melba, the best alternatives are Cascade, Ella™, Galaxy™, or Vic Secret™.
At A Glance
| Profile | Passionfruit, White Peach, Nectarine, Grapefruit, Pine |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Dual: Aroma and Bittering |
| Alpha Acid | 7.0 - 10.0% |
| Substitutes | Cascade, Ella™, Galaxy™, Vic Secret™ |
| Pairs with | Citra® (to push the tropical citrus into high gear), Galaxy™ (to amplify passionfruit), Vic Secret™ (to bridge the fruit with pine/pineapple) |
| Beer Styles | India 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
- 2026-05-01 16:13:40