Vic Secret™ Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Vic Secret™ is a premier Australian aroma hop, developed by Hop Products Australia, that has become a global craft sensation since its commercial debut in 2013. Developed in the lush valleys of Victoria in 2000, this high-alpha variety is a direct sister to the legendary Topaz™. While it shares the iconic tropical intensity of its cousin Galaxy™, Vic Secret is prized for its more refined, "clean" aromatic profile and exceptionally high oil content.

The most fascinating aspect of Vic Secret is its "personality shift" in the brewhouse. When used in the late kettle, the bright fruit often recedes, giving way to a more grounded, earthy character. However, when reserved for the whirlpool or dry-hop, its volatile oils explode with the bold, "New World" vibrancy that defines modern brewing. It is a sophisticated alternative for those who find other Australian hops too overwhelming, offering a more precise and balanced tropical impact.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Vic Secret, the best alternatives are Citra®, Enigma™, Galaxy™, or Mosaic®.

At A Glance

Profile Passion fruit, pineapple, pine
Purpose Dual: Aroma and Bittering
Alpha Acid 14.0 - 17.0%
Substitutes Citra®, Enigma™, Galaxy™, Mosaic®
Pairs with Citra® (to amplify citrus notes), Galaxy™ (to create a tropical "powerhouse" blend), Simcoe® (to deepen the resinous pine character)
Beer Styles Hazy India Pale Ale, West Coast India Pale Ale, American Pale Ale, Hoppy Lager

General Information

Country Australia
Aliases Victoria, Victoria’s Secret, Victoria Secret, Vic Secretariat, HPA-035
Storage Stability
Fair to good

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 14.0 - 17.0%
Beta Acid 5.0 - 9.0%
Cohumulone 51.0 - 57.0%
Total Oil 1.9 - 2.8 ml/100g
Myrcene 38.0 - 41.0%
Humulene 12.0 - 21.0%
Caryophyllene 11.0 - 15.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool 0.3 - 0.5%
B-Pinene 0.4 - 0.6%
Geraniol 0.1 - 0.3%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 2,100 - 2,900 lbs/acre
Maturity Mid-to-late season
Growth Rate Very high
Cones Medium-sized, relatively dense, and packed with golden lupulin
Ease of Harvest Good; bines are strong and cones separate well for mechanical picking
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium green
Side Arm Length Medium to long

Vic Secret Aroma/Flavor Profile

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Passion Fruit Pine Pineapple
Variety Name
Citra Enigma Galaxy Mosaic Simcoe Topaz
Beer Style
American Pale Ale Hazy India Pale Ale Hoppy Lager West Coast India Pale Ale
Usage
Dual: Aroma And Bittering
Origin
Australia
Breeding/Supplier
Hop Products Australia
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-02 14:04:22
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.