Riwaka™ Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Riwaka™ is a legendary aroma hop that stands as the crown jewel of the New Zealand hop industry. Released in 1997 by the Plant & Food Research program, it was originally designated "B Saaz" due to its direct lineage from the classic Czech Saaz landrace. This variety is a true "brewer’s hop," prized for its exceptionally high total oil content that delivers an aromatic intensity far beyond its modest alpha acid percentage. Because it is famously temperamental in the field and requires specific climatic conditions to thrive, its annual harvest is one of the most anticipated events in the craft beer world. Riwaka™ remains the definitive choice for those seeking a high-impact, "New World" character that retains a sophisticated, noble-derived structural elegance.

The sensory profile of Riwaka™ is a concentrated explosion of pungent citrus and tropical fruit. It is world-renowned for its signature "pink grapefruit" character, which leads a primary bouquet of passionfruit, sweet kumquat, and a distinct "dank" or "diesel" edge common in high-myrcene New Zealand varieties. As the profile develops, brewers will find subtle secondary notes of green tea and a soft, peppery spiciness that pays homage to its Saaz heritage. Thanks to its massive myrcene content and unique oil composition, Riwaka™ delivers a lush, saturated aromatic presence and a clean, refreshing finish, making it an essential component for modern, fruit-forward beer styles.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Riwaka, the best alternatives are Citra®, Motueka™, Nelson Sauvin™, or Saaz.

At A Glance

Profile Citrus, Tropical Fruit, Pink Grapefruit, Passionfruit, Sweet Kumquat, Dank, Green Tea, Pepper, Spicy
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 4.5 - 6.5%
Substitutes Citra®, Motueka™, Nelson Sauvin™, Saaz
Pairs with Citra® (for a massive/international citrus blend), Motueka™ (to add a lime-citrus top-note), Nelson Sauvin™ (for a full New Zealand tropical experience)
Beer Styles New Zealand Pilsner, Hazy India Pale Ale, West Coast India Pale Ale, Pale Ale

General Information

Country New Zealand
Aliases D Saaz, 85.6-23
Storage Stability
Retains 50 - 60% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 4.5 - 6.5%
Beta Acid 4.0 - 5.0%
Cohumulone 29.0 - 38.0%
Total Oil 1.5 - 2.0 ml/100g
Myrcene 65.0 - 75.0%
Humulene 8.0 - 12.0%
Caryophyllene 2.0 - 5.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool 0.6 - 0.9%
Geraniol ~0.2%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,200 - 1,500 lbs/acre
Maturity Mid-season
Growth Rate Moderate to high
Cones Medium-sized, relatively loose, and heavily saturated with bright yellow, pungent lupulin
Ease of Harvest Moderate; due to its lower yields and specific maturation window, timing the harvest is critical to
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium green
Side Arm Length 15" - 25"

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Citrus Dank Green Tea Kumquat Passionfruit Pepper Pink Grapefruit Spicy Tropical Fruit
Variety Name
Citra Motueka Nelson Sauvin Saaz
Beer Style
Hazy India Pale Ale New Zealand Pilsner Pale Ale West Coast India Pale Ale
Usage
Aroma
Origin
New Zealand
Breeding/Supplier
Plant & Food Research
Last Updated
  • 2026-04-07 18:01:19
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.