Hallertauer Gold Hops: Profile & Substitutions
Description
Hallertauer Gold is a captivating, connoisseur-grade aroma hop that represents a critical turning point in modern German agronomics. Developed from Hallertau] Mittelfrüh genetics by the [/farm]Hop Research Center[/farm] in Hüll, Germany, this variety was bred in the 1970s (around the same time as {Perle) but wasn't officially released until the 1980s to combat devastating outbreaks of Verticillium wilt. By crossing the legendary Hallertau with a hardy, disease-resistant Hüll male, breeders successfully preserved the pristine, aristocratic "Noble" character that traditional brewers demanded, while injecting higher alpha acids for better brewing flexibility. Though its commercial acreage eventually gave way to its own high-yielding offspring, Hallertauer Tradition, Hallertauer Gold stands today as a prized vintage selection that is often sold interchangeably under the classic Hallertau name.
The profile of Hallertauer Gold is a masterclass in classic continental sophistication, offering an incredibly clean, balanced, and nostalgic aromatic tapestry. It leads with a primary bouquet of freshly dried summer hay, soothing chamomile, and sweet wildflower nectar, underpinned beautifully by a sophisticated secondary layer of fine wood spice, cracked nutmeg, and a faint hint of sweet citrus peel. Free from the loud, oily, or unpleasantly dank fruit characters common to contemporary New World hybrids, Hallertauer Gold is defined by its aromatic restraint and purity. On the tongue, its high humulene and linalool content translates to a smooth, fleeting flavor and a highly transparent bitterness, letting the complex, bready properties of premium Pilsner malts stand out in flawless harmony.
At A Glance
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Profile
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Dried Summer Hay, Chamomile Tea, Wildflower Nectar, Wood Spice, Nutmeg, Faint Citrus Peel |
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Purpose
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Aroma |
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Alpha Acid
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5.5 - 7.5% |
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Substitutes
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Hallertau, Hallertauer Tradition, Liberty, Mount Hood, Vanguard |
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Pairs with
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Saphir (to introduce a subtle/modern kiss of tangerine zest), Spalter Select (to infuse a bright/zesty herbal snap over the smooth base), Ultra (to anchor a completely clean/domestic noble profile) |
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Beer Styles
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Munich Helles, German Pilsner, Munich Dunkel, Oktoberfest/Märzen, Bock, Kölsch, Altbier, Belgian Witbier, Traditional Weissbier |
General Information
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Country
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Germany |
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Aliases
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Hallertau Gold, USDA 21671 |
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Storage Stability
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Retains 50 - 65% alpha acid |
Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)
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Alpha Acid
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5.5 - 7.5% |
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Beta Acid
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4.5 - 6.0% |
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Cohumulone
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18.0 - 22.0% |
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Total Oil
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1.0 - 1.4 ml/100g |
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Myrcene
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25.0 - 35.0% |
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Humulene
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30.0 - 45.0% |
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Caryophyllene
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10.0 - 13.0% |
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Farnesene
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< 1.0% |
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Linalool
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0.6 - 0.9% |
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Geraniol
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< 1.0% |
Growth & Cultivation
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Yield
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1,300 - 1,600 lbs/acre |
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Maturity
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Mid Season |
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Resistant
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Verticillium Wilt |
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Susceptible
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Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew |
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Growth Rate
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High / Vigorous |
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Cones
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Medium in size, compact, and exceptionally dense. As the mid-season harvest window approaches, the f |
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Ease of Harvest
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Good (Sturdy vine properties allow it to process well through standard mechanical picking infrastruc |
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Sex
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Female |
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Leaf Color
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Medium Green |
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Side Arm Length
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15" - 25" (Short to Medium) |
Last Updated
Source(s)
Hops Catalog