Wakatu™ Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

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.

Substitution Tip

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

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Floral Hay Honey Spicy Sweet
Variety Name
Hallertau Liberty Motueka Mt. Hood Nelson Sauvin Riwaka
Beer Style
Belgian Ale Lager Pale Ale Pilsner Wheat Beer
Usage
Dual: Aroma And Bittering
Origin
New Zealand
Breeding/Supplier
Hortresearchlime
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-01 09:39:23
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.