Wai-iti™ Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Wai-iti™ is a vibrant New Zealand aroma hop released in 2011 alongside its cousin, Kohatu®. Developed by the New Zealand Plant & Food Research program, this triploid variety was bred from a lineage that includes the refined Hallertau Mittelfrüh and Liberty. While its ancestors are known for "Noble" spice, Wai-iti was specifically engineered to move in a completely different direction: maximum fruit impact with exceptionally low bitterness.

Because of its gentle alpha acid content, Wai-iti has become a "secret weapon" for brewers of Hazy IPAs and sessionable summer ales. It was designed for those who want to drenched a beer in tropical aromatics while avoiding the resinous "hop burn" often associated with high-alpha varieties. It is a specialized tool for the modern brewhouse, almost exclusively reserved for late-kettle additions, the whirlpool, or the dry hop.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Wai-iti, the best alternatives are Amarillo®, Motueka™, or Riwaka™.

At A Glance

Profile Strong citrus: lemon, lime zest and mandarin oranges.
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 2.5 - 3.5%
Substitutes Amarillo®, Motueka™, Riwaka™
Pairs with Kohatu® (for a tropical pine contrast), Nelson Sauvin™ (for a complex fruit/wine blend), Riwaka™ (to amplify citrus)
Beer Styles Hazy India Pale Ale, Session Ale, Wheat Ale, Pilsner, Saison

General Information

Country New Zealand
Aliases HORT7709, Waiiti
Storage Stability
Very good

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 2.5 - 3.5%
Beta Acid 4.5 - 5.5%
Cohumulone 22.0 - 24.0%
Total Oil 1.2 - 1.6 ml/100g
Myrcene 3.0 - 5.0%
Humulene 25.0 - 30.0%
Caryophyllene 8.0 - 11.0%
Farnesene 12.0 - 15.0%
Linalool 0.5%
Geraniol 0.2%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield Moderate
Maturity Mid season
Growth Rate High
Ease of Harvest Excellent; suited for professional mechanical picking
Sex Female (Triploid)
Leaf Color Medium green
Side Arm Length Medium

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Citrus Lemon Lime Mandarin Oranges
Variety Name
Amarillo Hallertau Kohatu Liberty Motueka Nelson Sauvin Riwaka
Beer Style
Hazy India Pale Ale Pilsner Saison Session Ale Wheat Ale
Usage
Aroma
Origin
New Zealand
Breeding/Supplier
Plant & Food Research
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-01 10:08:22
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.