Precoce de Bourgogne Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Precoce de Bourgogneis a storied heritage variety that represents the historic heart of French hop cultivation. Originally hailing from the Burgundy region, this landrace variety is the "early" sibling to the better-known Strisselspalt. While it was received by research institutes as recently as 1977 from Poland, its exact pedigree remains a mystery, though it is widely suspected to be a specific clonal selection of ancient French stock. Once a staple in the Alsace region, its exceptionally short growing season made it the backbone of local tradition. Though its low yields make it a rarity today, it remains a legendary name for brewers seeking to capture the refined elegance of a true continental noble hop and a genuine piece of French brewing history.

The sensory profile of Precoce de Bourgogne is a masterclass in subtle, old-world sophistication. It leads with a primary, "perfumed" bouquet of dried flowers, herbal tea, and sweet hay, followed by a sophisticated secondary layer of mild spice and soft earthiness. As the profile develops, brewers will find a refined aromatic quality characteristic of the finest French noble varieties—gentle, rustic, and never aggressive. Thanks to its high humulene content and low cohumulone levels, it delivers a remarkably smooth, rounded bitterness and a clean, evanescent finish. It is the definitive choice for imparting a delicate, historical charm to authentic farmhouse styles.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Precoce de Bourgogne, the best alternatives are Hallertau, Hersbrucker, Strisselspalt, or Tardif de Bourgogne.

At A Glance

Profile Dried Flowers, Herbal Tea, Sweet Hay, Spicy, Earthy
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 2.5 - 4.5%
Substitutes Hallertau, Hersbrucker, Strisselspalt, Tardif de Bourgogne
Pairs with Aramis (to add a touch of modern aromatic intensity), Strisselspalt (for a full-spectrum French floral profile), Tardif de Bourgogne (to bridge the harvest window)
Beer Styles French Bière de Garde, Saison, Continental Lager, Belgian Wit

General Information

Country France
Aliases Burgundy Hop, Early Burgundy
Storage Stability
Retains 61% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 2.5 - 4.5%
Beta Acid 3.0 - 5.0%
Cohumulone 20.0 - 25.0%
Total Oil 0.5 - 0.9 ml/100g
Myrcene 20.0 - 35.0%
Humulene 30.0 - 45.0%
Caryophyllene 10.0 - 14.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool 0.4 - 0.6%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 800 - 1,100 lbs/acre
Maturity Very early
Susceptible Downy Mildew (high), Powdery Mildew (high)
Growth Rate Moderate
Cones Small, relatively loose, and very aromatic with fine, pale yellow lupulin
Ease of Harvest Moderate; its delicate structure and short side-arms require a gentle touch during picking to preven
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium green
Side Arm Length 12" - 20"

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Earthy Floral Herbal Spicy Sweet Hay Tea
Variety Name
Aramis Hallertau Hersbrucker Strisselspalt Tardif De Bourgogne
Beer Style
Belgian Wit Continental Lager French Bière De Garde Saison
Usage
Aroma
Origin
France
Last Updated
  • 2026-04-10 18:15:16
Source(s)

Hops Catalog

Navigating This Profile
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  • #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.