Nectaron® Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Nectaron® is a triumphant achievement in New Zealand hop breeding, representing nearly two decades of meticulous development by Dr. Ron Beatson and the team at Plant & Food Research. The name itself is a tribute, combining "Nectar of the Gods" with "Ron," the principal scientist behind its success. A triploid sister to Waimea™, Nectaron® was engineered to redefine the limits of hop intensity. Cultivated in the sun-drenched gardens of the Tasman region, this variety captures an unparalleled concentration of essential oils, offering brewers a saturated, fruit-forward impact that remains vibrant from the first pour to the bottom of the glass.

The sensory profile of Nectaron® is a vivid and explosive celebration of sun-ripened tropical fruit and juicy stone fruits. It leads with a primary, "saturated" bouquet of intense pineapple, passionfruit, and fleshy peach, followed by a sophisticated secondary layer of pink grapefruit zest and a subtle, dank resinous depth. Interestingly, its bio-chemical makeup is known to interact differently with American versus English yeast strains, shifting the fruit profile accordingly. As the profile develops, brewers will find a pleasant "fruit salad" sweetness that remains remarkably substantial on the palate. Thanks to its balanced cohumulone levels, it delivers a smooth, integrated bitterness and a long, fruit-saturated finish—perfect for late additions and heavy dry hopping.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Nectaron, the best alternatives are Citra®, Mosaic®, Nelson Sauvin™, or Waimea™.

At A Glance

Profile Tropical Fruit, Juicy Stone Fruit, Pineapple, Passionfruit, Fleshy Peach, Pink Grapefruit Zest, Dank Resin
Purpose Dual: Aroma and Bittering
Alpha Acid 10.5 - 11.5%
Substitutes Citra®, Mosaic®, Nelson Sauvin™, Waimea™
Pairs with Citra® (to create the ultimate "juice bomb" profile), Motueka™ (for a zesty lime lift), Nelson Sauvin™ (to add wine-like complexity to the fruit)
Beer Styles Northeast India Pale Ale, Hazy India Pale Ale, West Coast India Pale Ale, Modern Pale Ale, NZ Pilsner

General Information

Country New Zealand
Alias Hort 4337
Storage Stability
Good

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 10.5 - 11.5%
Beta Acid 4.5 - 5.0%
Cohumulone 26.0 - 28.0%
Total Oil 1.5 - 2.0 ml/100g
Myrcene 55.0 - 65.0%
Humulene 13.0 - 18.0%
Caryophyllene 4.0 - 5.0%
Farnesene 0.2 - 0.6%
Linalool 0.4 - 0.7%
B-Pinene 0.4 - 0.6%
Geraniol 1.0 - 1.5%

Growth & Cultivation

Maturity Mid to Late Season
Growth Rate High / Vigorous
Cones Large, dense, and heavily laden with bright yellow lupulin. The cones are noted for their high oil s
Ease of Harvest Excellent; specifically selected for commercial viability, the bines are structurally strong and the
Sex Female
Leaf Color Dark Green

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Dank Grapefruit Zest Passionfruit Peach Pineapple Resin Stone Fruit Tropical Fruit
Variety Name
Citra Mosaic Motueka Nelson Sauvin Waimea
Beer Style
Hazy India Pale Ale Modern Pale Ale Northeast India Pale Ale Nz Pilsner West Coast India Pale Ale
Usage
Dual: Aroma And Bittering
Origin
New Zealand
Breeding/Supplier
Plant & Food Research
Last Updated
  • 2026-04-23 19:18:30
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

  • #Floral (The Delicate Finish)

    A mellow Sunday pour. From jasmine to dried rose petals, floral hops provide a sophisticated aroma without overpowering the palate. Perfect for delicate Belgian styles. Explore #Floral 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.