Sylva Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Sylva is a sophisticated Australian aroma variety that perfectly bridges the gap between Old World tradition and New World viticulture. Bred in 1997 by Hop Products Australia, Sylva was developed from the prestigious Saaz lineage. The mission was clear: provide brewers with a Southern Hemisphere alternative to the classic "Noble" hops of Europe that could thrive in the unique Australian climate.

While many Australian varieties are famous for aggressive, "in-your-face" tropical fruit, Sylva is prized for its restraint and architectural elegance. It possesses a sturdier agronomic profile than its Czech cousins, making it a reliable and consistent choice for brewers who demand the delicate aromatics of a traditional landrace hop but with the freshness and vitality of modern Australian-grown cultivars.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Sylva, the best alternatives are Hallertau, Helga, Saaz, Sterling, or Tettnanger.

At A Glance

Profile Herbal, Fresh Forest Floor, Dried Wildflowers, Floral, Green Tea
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 4.6 - 7.0%
Substitutes Hallertau, Helga, Saaz, Sterling, Tettnanger
Pairs with Helga (for a full Australian Noble profile), Saaz (to deepen the earthy spice), Sterling (for a modern American-Noble hybrid blend)
Beer Styles Pilsner, Lager, Wheat Beer, Kölsch, Belgian Ale

General Information

Country Australia
Aliases Southern Saaz, Silva, AU Sylva, Australian Sylva
Storage Stability
gOOD

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 4.6 - 7.0%
Beta Acid 3.0 - 4.6%
Cohumulone 20.0 - 25.0%
Total Oil 1.0 - 1.4 ml/100g
Myrcene 30.0 - 45.0%%
Humulene 25.0 - 35.0%
Caryophyllene 8.0 - 12.0%
Farnesene 1.0 - 3.0%
Linalool 0.4 - 0.6%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield Moderate to high
Maturity Mid-season
Growth Rate High
Cones Small to medium-sized, oval, and moderately compact
Ease of Harvest Good; the bines are manageable and the cones are resilient during mechanical picking
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium green
Side Arm Length 15" - 25"

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Dried Wildflowers Floral Green Tea Herbal
Variety Name
Hallertau Helga Saaz Sterling Tettnanger
Beer Style
Belgian Ale Kolsch Lager Pilsner Wheat Beer
Usage
Aroma
Origin
Australia
Breeding/Supplier
Hop Products Australia
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-23 18:48:01
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

  • #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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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.