Zappa™ Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Zappa™ is named after the avant-garde rock legend Frank Zappa, this hop is just as eclectic and non-conformist as its namesake. Unlike the vast majority of hops that trace their roots back to Europe, Zappa is a native North American variety belonging to the neomexicanus subspecies. Discovered growing wild in the mountains of New Mexico and brought to the world by CLS Farms, it represents a genetically distinct "wildness" that evolved independently of traditional brewing varieties.

For the homebrewer, Zappa is the ultimate tool for experimental expression. It breaks every "rule" in the book, offering a flavor profile that shifts and evolves with every sip. It’s a favorite for those looking to push the boundaries of what a hop can be, bridging the gap between tropical fruit sweetness and savory, "funky" complexity.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Zappa, the best alternatives are Medusa™ or Sabro™.

At A Glance

Profile Passion fruit, mint, impulsive, spice, savory, tropical, fruity pebbles
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 6.0 - 8.0%
Substitutes Medusa™, Sabro™
Pairs with Citra®, Medusa™, Mosaic®, Sabro™
Beer Styles Hazy India Pale Ale, Wild Ale

General Information

Country United States
Storage Stability
Fair to good

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 6.0 - 8.0%
Beta Acid 8.0 - 9.0%
Cohumulone 40.0 - 50.0%
Total Oil 1.8 - 2.5 ml/100g
Myrcene 60.0 - 70.0%
Humulene 4.0 - 5.0%
Caryophyllene 8.0 - 9.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool < 1.0%
B-Pinene 1.2%
Geraniol < 1.0%
2-Undekanone 0.47%

Growth & Cultivation

Maturity Mid to late
Tolerant Drought (exceptionally high)
Growth Rate Extremely vigorous
Cones Medium density, often elongated or "wild" in appearance compared to traditional cultivars.
Side Arm Length Medium to long

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Fruity Pebbles Mint Passionfruit Spicy Tropical
Variety Name
Citra Medusa Mosaic Sabro
Beer Style
Hazy India Pale Ale Wild Ale
Usage
Aroma
Origin
United States
Breeding/Supplier
Cls Farms
Last Updated
  • 2026-02-27 19:14:03
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.