Styrian Cardinal Hops
AromaAlpha 8.0 - 12.0%Slovenia
Styrian Cardinal is a modern Slovenian masterpiece that represents the bold, fruit-forward evolution of European hop breeding. Developed and released by the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing, this variety was specifically engineered to bridge the gap between high-intensity aroma and elite brewing performance.
Bred from a diverse and sophisticated pool of European and American hop germplasm, its name—Cardinal—reflects its dominant and magnificent presence in both the hop yard and the kettle. It has quickly become a cornerstone for brewers looking to achieve vibrant, complex fruit characteristics while maintaining a clean, balanced bitterness. Cardinal is a transformative variety that proves traditional growing regions can produce "New World" impact without losing their continental soul.
If you can't find Styrian Cardinal, the best alternatives are Citra®, Mosaic®, Styrian Dragon, or Styrian Wolf.
At A Glance
| Profile | Tropical Fruits, Bright Citrus, Pineapple, Guava, Passionfruit, Orange Peel, Lime, Floral, Herbal, Jasmine, Green Tea, Anise |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Aroma |
| Alpha Acid | 8.0 - 12.0% |
| Substitutes | Citra®, Mosaic®, Styrian Dragon, Styrian Wolf |
| Pairs with | Citra® (to push the citrus limits), Mosaic® (for added berry complexity), Styrian Wolf (to create a complete Slovenian fruit profile) |
| Beer Styles | India Pale Ale, Pale Ale, Hazy India Pale Ale, Modern Lagers, Wheat Beer |
General Information
| Country | Slovenia |
|---|---|
| Alias | Cardinal |
| Storage Stability | Very good |
Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)
| Alpha Acid | 8.0 - 12.0% |
|---|---|
| Beta Acid | 3.2 - 4.6% |
| Cohumulone | 31.0 - 37.0% |
| Total Oil | 3.0 - 4.0 ml/100g |
| Myrcene | 40.0 - 50.0% |
| Humulene | 15.0 - 22.0% |
| Caryophyllene | 8.0 - 11.0% |
| Farnesene | 5.0 - 7.0% |
| Linalool | 0.6 - 1.0% |
| Geraniol | ~0.3% |
| Total Polyphenols | 8.0 - 9.0% |
| Xanthohumol | 0.3 - 0.5% |
Growth & Cultivation
| Yield | 1,600 - 2,100 lbs/acre |
|---|---|
| Maturity | Early to mid-season |
| Resistant | Downy Mildew (high), Powdery Mildew (low), Verticillum Wilt (low) |
| Growth Rate | Very high |
| Cones | Narrowly ovate, averaging 25mm in length; they are extremely dense and heavily saturated with lupuli |
| Ease of Harvest | Excellent; the variety is noted for having fine agronomic traits that make it very efficient for mec |
| Sex | Female |
| Leaf Color | Vibrant medium green |
| Side Arm Length | 20" - 35" |
- 2026-03-28 00:41:44