Contessa^™ Hops

Contessa^™ stands as an elite, next-generation American aroma cultivar developed by the acclaimed Hopsteiner Breeding Program to provide a native, agronomically robust alternative to historic European noble hops. Originally trialed under the designation Experimental #04190 and officially commercialized in 2020, this variety was meticulously selected to deliver classical, delicate continental brewing traits on a highly sustainable domestic footing. By crossing the time-honored British heirloom Fuggle with a vigorous, proprietary Cascade-derived male line, breeders successfully fused the soft, clean aromatic charm of old-world landraces with the superior field performance, high storage stability, and exceptional mildew tolerance required by modern growers. Built specifically to thrive in American hop yards while yielding a specialized chemical matrix where beta acids outweigh alpha acids, it provides an essential, locally grown cornerstone for premium craft lager and crisp ale production.

The profile of Contessa^™ is a highly sophisticated sensory experience that effortlessly captures the essence of traditional European noble restraint with a clean, contemporary execution. It yields a pristine, hoppy-fresh bouquet defined by elegant green tea leaves, subtle wildflower blossoms, and a crisp, lemongrass-botanical background. Beneath this delicate aromatic layer, the essential oil matrix reveals a beautifully rounded, subtle fruit-forward character reminiscent of sweet orchard pears, light citrus zest, and clean wood-spice undertones. Because of its unique noble-like chemical makeup, Contessa^™ delivers a remarkably smooth, soft baseline bitterness that perfectly complements delicate pale worts, crisp pilsners, and traditional lagers without ever drifting into heavy sulfur or sharp resinous burn.