Mistral Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Mistral is a breathtaking French aroma hop that represents a bold evolution in the legendary hop fields of Alsace. Developed by the Comptoir Agricole breeding program, Mistral is a direct descendant of the esteemed Strisselspalt variety, with its first crops reaching the U.S. market in 2019. While it inherits the refined structure and "Noble" pedigree of its French ancestry, Mistral surprises the palate with a vibrant, contemporary personality. It is a variety that captures the clean, elegant essence of Alsatian terroir while providing a unique aromatic punch that, at this time, simply cannot be reproduced by any single substitute.

The sensory profile of Mistral is a radiant and multi-layered arrangement of sun-ripened stone fruits and delicate spring blossoms. When used for bittering, it creates an exceptionally clean and sweet profile. As an aroma addition, it leads with a primary bouquet of sweet lychee, white grape, and juicy melon, followed by a sophisticated secondary layer of rose petals, jasmine, and a hint of orange zest. As the profile develops, brewers will find a pleasant creamy sweetness—reminiscent of apricot or peach—and a subtle herbal undertone. Thanks to its low cohumulone levels and remarkably high linalool content, Mistral delivers a soft, integrated bitterness and a polished, fruit-saturated finish.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Mistral, the best alternatives are Amarillo®, Barbe Rouge, Cascade, or Hallertau Blanc.

At A Glance

Profile Lychee, White Grape, Melon, Rose Petal, Jasmine, Orange Zest, Apricot, Peach, Herbal
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 6.0 - 8.5%
Substitutes Amarillo®, Barbe Rouge, Cascade, Hallertau Blanc
Pairs with Barbe Rouge (to add a red-berry contrast), Citra® (to push the tropical boundaries into a full-scale juice profile), Hallertau Blanc (to amplify the wine-like grape notes)
Beer Styles Saison, Belgian Ale, Northeast India Pale Ale, Bière de Garde, Modern Lager

General Information

Country France
Storage Stability
Good

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 6.0 - 8.5%
Beta Acid 3.0 - 5.0%
Cohumulone 20.0 - 25.0%
Total Oil 1.2- 1.8 ml/100g
Myrcene 35.0 - 45.0%
Humulene 15.0 - 22.0%
Caryophyllene 6.0 - 10.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool 0.6 - 0.9%
Geraniol 0.2 - 0.4%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,500- 1,800 lbs/acre
Maturity Mid to Late Season
Growth Rate High / Vigorous
Cones Medium-sized, oval, and moderately dense. The cones are noted for their high lupulin saturation and
Ease of Harvest Excellent; specifically selected for commercial harvest efficiency, the bines are structurally sound
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium Green
Side Arm Length 18" - 28" (medium)

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Apricot Herbal Jasmine Lychee Melon Orange Zest Peach Rose Petal White Grape
Variety Name
Amarillo Barbe Rouge Cascade Citra Hallertau Blanc Strisselspalt
Beer Style
Belgian Ale Bière De Garde Modern Lager Northeast India Pale Ale Saison
Usage
Aroma
Origin
France
Breeding/Supplier
Comptoir Agricole
Last Updated
  • 2026-04-29 08:32:14
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

  • #Pine (West Coast Classic)

    Kick off the weekend with a classic. Think forest floors and fresh resin. These hops provide that iconic, "crispy" evergreen aroma that defined the original American IPA. Explore #Pine 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.