Wakatu™ Hops
Dual: Aroma and BitteringAlpha 6.5 - 8.5%New Zealand
Wakatu™ is a fascinating New Zealand triploid variety that serves as a bridge between European tradition and Southern Hemisphere flair. Developed by the HortResearch, New Zaelands's Hop Research Program and released in 1988, it was originally known as "Hallertau Aroma." This name was no accident: it was bred directly from the legendary German Hallertau Mittelfrüh. In 2011, it was rebranded as Wakatu (the Māori name for the Nelson region) to better reflect its unique terroir.
What makes Wakatu special is its genetic makeup. While it retains the refined, floral DNA of its German ancestry, the New Zealand landscape has infused it with a vibrant, citrus-forward personality. It is celebrated by growers and brewers alike as a reliable "all-rounder" because of its exceptional flavor stability, ensuring that the bright lime character you smell on brew day actually survives into the finished pint.
If you can't find Wakatu, the best alternatives are Hallertau, Liberty, Motueka™, or Mt. Hood.
At A Glance
| Profile | Lime, Sweet, Floral, Mild Spice, Hay, Honey |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Dual: Aroma and Bittering |
| Alpha Acid | 6.5 - 8.5% |
| Substitutes | Hallertau, Liberty, Motueka™, Mt. Hood |
| Pairs with | Motueka™ (for a double-hit of lime), Nelson Sauvin™ (for wine-like complexity), Riwaka™ (for a pungent tropical citrus blend) |
| Beer Styles | Lager, Pilsner, Belgian Ale, Pale Ale, Wheat Beer |
General Information
| Country | New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Aliases | Hallertau Aroma, New Zealand Wakatu, Hal Aroma, Brand 77-05 |
| Storage Stability | Very good |
Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)
| Alpha Acid | 6.5 - 8.5% |
|---|---|
| Beta Acid | 8.4 - 8.6% |
| Cohumulone | 28.0 - 33.0% |
| Total Oil | 0.9 - 1.1 ml/100g |
| Myrcene | 35.0 - 36.0% |
| Humulene | 16.7 - 16.9% |
| Caryophyllene | 8.1 - 8.3% |
| Farnesene | 5.0 - 9.0% |
| Linalool | 0.6 - 1.0% |
| B-Pinene | 0.4 - 0.8% |
| Geraniol | 0.1 - 0.3% |
| 2-Undekanone | Detected |
| Selinene | Present |
Growth & Cultivation
| Yield | Moderate to high |
|---|---|
| Maturity | Middle |
| Growth Rate | Very high and vigorous climber |
| Cones | Medium size, moderate density; lupulin is pale yellow |
| Ease of Harvest | Good; well-suited for mechanical picking |
| Sex | Female (Triploid) |
| Leaf Color | Medium green |
| Side Arm Length | Medium |
- 2026-03-01 16:39:23