Tettnanger Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Tettnanger is one of the four original "Noble Hops" of Europe, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Saaz, Spalt, and Hallertauer. Named after the town of Tettnang in Southern Germany, this landrace variety has a pedigree that can be traced back to 1844, with some records suggesting its cultivation in the Lake Constance region as early as 1150.

Unlike modern high-alpha hybrids, Tettnanger is a product of its environment. It has evolved in perfect harmony with the unique soil and microclimate of its home district, creating a delicate chemical profile that simply cannot be replicated elsewhere. While there are US, Australian, and Swiss versions of this hop, the German original remains the definitive cornerstone of traditional European brewing. It offers a level of sophisticated elegance that defines the classic profiles of world-class Pilsners and Lagers.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Tettnanger, the best alternatives are Fuggle, Hersbrucker, Saaz, Santiam, Spalter Select, or Tettnanger (US).

At A Glance

Profile Floral, Spicy, Sweet Hay, Black Tea, Woody, Earthy
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 3.0 - 5.8%
Substitutes Fuggle, Hersbrucker, Saaz, Santiam, Spalter Select, Tettnanger (US)
Pairs with Hallertau (for the ultimate German Lager blend), Hersbrucker (to lighten the floral notes), Spalt (for increased spicy depth)
Beer Styles German Pilsner, Helles, Octoberfest, Wheat Ale, Altbier

General Information

Country Germany
Aliases Tettnang, Tettnang Tettnanger, German Tettnang, Tettnanger (GR), Schwetzinger, Deutscher Frühopfen
Storage Stability
Retains 75 - 80% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 3.0 - 5.8%
Beta Acid 2.8 - 5.3%
Cohumulone 20.0 - 30.0%
Total Oil 0.5 - 0.9 ml/100g
Myrcene 20.0 - 35.0%
Humulene 20.0 - 30.%
Caryophyllene 6.0 - 11.0%
Farnesene 4.0 - 8.0%
Linalool 0.4 - 0.9%
B-Pinene 0.4 - 0.8%
Geraniol 0.1 - 0.3%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,000 - 1,400 lbs/acre
Maturity Medium early
Resistant Verticillium wilt, powdery mildew
Susceptible Downy mildew, aphid
Growth Rate Moderate to high
Cones Small to medium, oval, and very compact
Sex Female
Leaf Color Light to medium green
Side Arm Length 12" - 18"

Tettnanger Aroma/Flavor Profile

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Black Tea Earthy Floral Hay Spicy Woody
Variety Name
Fuggle Hallertau Hersbrucker Saaz Santiam Spalt Spalter Select Tettnanger (us)
Beer Style
Altbier German Pilsner Helles Octoberfest Wheat Ale
Usage
Aroma
Origin
Germany
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-04 10:48:10
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.
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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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  • 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.