Sabro™ Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Sabro™ is a groundbreaking American aroma hop that offers a flavor profile unlike anything else in the brewing world. Released in 2018 by the Hop Breeding Company, its distinctive character stems from a unique lineage—a cross-pollination involving a wild female neomexicanus hop from the mountains of New Mexico. This "New World" heritage makes Sabro™ an incredibly expressive and robust performer in the brewhouse. Prized for its exceptionally high oil content, it serves as a top-tier finishing hop that translates intense tropical characteristics remarkably well from the whirlpool to the glass, making it the definitive choice for brewers looking to push the boundaries of modern flavor.

The sensory profile of Sabro™ is a saturated and complex tapestry of tropical, citrus, and stone fruits, famously anchored by a singular "coconut and cream" character. It leads with a primary bouquet of tangerine, passionfruit, and lime zest, followed by lush layers of coconut, cream, and vanilla. As the profile develops, brewers will find sophisticated secondary notes of cedar, fresh mint, and stone fruit. Because of its high total oil content and balanced cohumulone levels, Sabro delivers a smooth bitterness and a lingering, "juicy" aromatic impact, providing a creamy, decadent mouthfeel that defines the modern tropical beer experience.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Sabro, the best alternatives are Cashmere, Sorachi Ace, or Talus™.

At A Glance

Profile Citrus, Coconut, Cream, Tangerine, Passionfruit, Lime Zest, Vanilla, Cedar, Fresh Mint, Stone Fruit
Purpose Dual: Aroma and Bitterness
Alpha Acid 12.0 - 17.0%
Substitutes Cashmere, Sorachi Ace, Talus™
Pairs with Citra® (for a citrus explosion), El Dorado® (to amplify the tropical "candy" notes), Mosaic® (for deep berry complexity)
Beer Styles Northeast India Pale Ale, Hazy India Pale Ale, Pale Ale, Fruit Beer, Stout, Porter

General Information

Country United States
Alias HBC 438
Storage Stability
Retains 75% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 12.0 - 17.0%
Beta Acid 4.0 - 7.0%
Cohumulone 20.0 - 23.0%
Total Oil 2.0 - 3.5 ml/100g
Myrcene 40.0 - 70.0%
Humulene 7.0 - 15.0%
Caryophyllene 7.0 - 15.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool 0.4 - 0.8%
B-Pinene 0.7 - 1.1%
Geraniol 1.0 - 1.5%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield High
Maturity Mid to late season
Resistant Powdery Mildew (high), Downy Mildew (high)
Growth Rate Very high
Cones Medium-sized and incredibly dense, often visibly saturated with deep yellow lupulin that carries a p
Ease of Harvest Excellent; specifically selected for commercial viability, it holds up well to mechanical picking an
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium-dark green
Side Arm Length 20" - 30"

Sabro Aroma/Flavor Profile

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Cedar Citrus Coconut Cream Lime Zest Mint Passionfruit Stone Fruit Tangerine Vanilla
Variety Name
Cashmere Citra El Dorado Mosaic Sorachi Ace Talus
Beer Style
Fruit Beer Hazy India Pale Ale Northeast India Pale Ale Pale Ale Porter Stout
Usage
Dual: Aroma And Bitterness
Origin
United States
Breeding/Supplier
Hop Breeding Company
Last Updated
  • 2026-04-06 19:09:41
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.