Styrian Cardinal Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

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.

Substitution Tip

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"

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Anise Citrus Floral Green Tea Guava Herbal Jasmine Lime Orange Peel Passionfruit Pineapple Tropical Fruits
Variety Name
Citra Mosaic Styrian Dragon Styrian Wolf
Beer Style
Hazy India Pale Ale India Pale Ale Modern Lagers Pale Ale Wheat Beer
Usage
Aroma
Origin
Slovenia
Breeding/Supplier
Slovenian Institute Of Hop Research And Brewing
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-27 18:41:44
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

  • #Noble (Classics)

    Back to the roots. European "Noble" hops are the elegant, low-bitterness varieties that defined Pilsners and Lagers for centuries. Explore the spicy, floral heritage of the Old World. Explore #Noble 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.