Southern Promise Hops
Dual: Aroma and BitteringAlpha 9.5 - 11.5%South Africa
Southern Promise is a distinguished aroma hop that represents the sophisticated side of South African hop breeding. Developed by the South African Breweries (SAB) program in the George region, it is the result of a unique cross between the robust Southern Brewer and a wild Slovenian male.
This specific pedigree was engineered to make Southern Promise daylight neutral, giving it the rare ability to grow in adverse or inconsistent sunlight conditions that would stall other varieties. This adaptability allows it to offer the structural reliability of a Southern Hemisphere cultivar while maintaining the delicate, "Noble" aromatic qualities of its European ancestry. It is a versatile dual-purpose variety prized by brewers for its clean performance and its ability to bridge the gap between traditional old-world character and modern brewing requirements.
If you can't find Southern Promise, the best alternatives are Hallertau, Northern Brewer, Saaz, or Southern Star.
At A Glance
| Profile | Herbal, Floral, Fresh-Cut Wildflowers, Sweet Hay, Woody, Spicy, Cedar, Fresh Earth, Mild Berry, Citrus Brightness |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Dual: Aroma and Bittering |
| Alpha Acid | 9.5 - 11.5% |
| Substitutes | Hallertau, Northern Brewer, Saaz, Southern Star |
| Pairs with | Saaz (to enhance the noble spice), Southern Star (for a firmer bittering foundation), Willamette (to deepen the herbal complexity) |
| Beer Styles | Pilsner, Lager, Blonde Ale, Pale Ale, English Bitter |
General Information
| Country | South Africa |
|---|---|
| Storage Stability | Retains 80% alpha acid |
Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)
| Alpha Acid | 9.5 - 11.5% |
|---|---|
| Beta Acid | 3.6 - 5.4% |
| Cohumulone | 18.0 - 23.0% |
| Total Oil | 0.7 - 1.4 ml/100g |
| Myrcene | 25.0 - 35.0% |
| Humulene | 25.0 - 35.0% |
| Caryophyllene | 8.0 - 12.0% |
| Farnesene | < 1.0% |
| Linalool | 0.4 - 0.7% |
| Geraniol | ~0.2% |
Growth & Cultivation
| Yield | 1,600 - 2,000 lbs/acre |
|---|---|
| Maturity | Mid to late season |
| Resistant | Common hop diseases |
| Growth Rate | High |
| Cones | Medium-sized, oval, and relatively compact with a rich golden-yellow lupulin |
| Ease of Harvest | Excellent; the bines are strong and the variety is well-suited for efficient mechanical picking and |
| Sex | Female |
| Leaf Color | Medium-dark green |
| Side Arm Length | 20" - 30" |
- 2026-03-31 23:06:19