Southern Passion Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

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.

Substitution Tip

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"

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Berries Citrus Floral Grapefruit Guava Lime Passionfruit Pineapple Stone Fruit Sweet Melon
Variety Name
Citra Hallertau Hallertau Blanc Mosaic Nelson Sauvin Saaz
Beer Style
Hazy India Pale Ale India Pale Ale Modern Lager Pale Ale Saison Witbier
Usage
Dual: Aroma And Bittering
Origin
South Africa
Breeding/Supplier
South African Breweries
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-31 17:29:02
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

  • #Noble (Classics)

    Back to the roots. European "Noble" hops are the elegant, low-bitterness varieties that defined Pilsners and Lagers for centuries. Explore the spicy, floral heritage of the Old World. Explore #Noble 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.