Southern Passion Hops
Dual: Aroma and BitteringAlpha 5.0 - 11.2%South Africa
Flavor & aroma
Southern Passion is a transformative aroma hop that captures the vibrant, tropical spirit of the South African landscape. Developed by the South African Breweries (SAB) breeding program, this variety is a fascinating diploid seedling born from legendary "Noble" parents—Saaz and Hallertau Mittelfrüh. What makes Southern Passion truly unique is its daylight neutral genetics, allowing it to reach full maturity in the specific light cycles of the Southern Hemisphere. This noble parentage is reflected in its chemical makeup, with alpha and beta acid levels that remain closely balanced, providing a clean agricultural performance and a soft, refined bitterness that modern high-alpha hybrids often lack.
The sensory profile is a lush, exotic tapestry of tropical and stone fruits. It leads with a "punchy" bouquet of passionfruit, guava, and ripe pineapple, followed by jammy notes of red berries and sweet melon. As the profile develops, brewers will find a refined citrus brightness of grapefruit and lime layered over a soft, floral background.
If you can't find Southern Passion, the best alternatives are Citra®, Hallertau Blanc, Mosaic®, or Nelson Sauvin™.
At A Glance
| Profile | Stone Fruit, Passionfruit, Guava, Ripe Pineapple, Berries, Sweet Melon, Citrus, Grapefruit, Lime, Soft Floral |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Dual: Aroma and Bittering |
| Alpha Acid | 5.0 - 11.2% |
| Substitutes | Citra®, Hallertau Blanc, Mosaic®, Nelson Sauvin™ |
| Pairs with | Citra® (for a citrus boost), Nelson Sauvin™ (to amplify the wine-like fruit), Southern Promise (to ground the tropical notes with a refined herbal base) |
| Beer Styles | India Pale Ale, Hazy India Pale Ale, Pale Ale, Saison, Witbier, Modern Lager |
General Information
| Country | South Africa |
|---|---|
| Storage Stability | Retains 80% alpha acid |
Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)
| Alpha Acid | 5.0 - 11.2% |
|---|---|
| Beta Acid | 4.0 - 5.5% |
| Cohumulone | 18.0 - 24.0% |
| Total Oil | 0.7 - 1.6 ml/100g |
| Myrcene | 20.0 - 35.0% |
| Humulene | 25.0 - 35.0% |
| Caryophyllene | 8.0 - 12.0% |
| Farnesene | < 1.0% |
| Linalool | 0.6 - 0.9% |
| Geraniol | ~0.3% |
| Total Polyphenols | 4.5 - 5.5% |
Growth & Cultivation
| Yield | 1,400 - 1,800 lbs/acre |
|---|---|
| Maturity | Mid to late season |
| Resistant | Common hop diseases |
| Tolerant | Heat (high) |
| Growth Rate | High |
| Cones | Medium-sized, oval-shaped, and relatively compact with a rich lupulin content |
| Ease of Harvest | Excellent; the variety is well-suited for modern mechanical picking and has been bred for maximum ef |
| Sex | Female |
| Leaf Color | Medium-dark green |
| Side Arm Length | 20" - 30" |
- 2026-03-31 23:29:02