Record Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Record is a vintage Belgian aroma hop that represents a golden era of European hop breeding. Developed in 1958 (registered pre-1970), it was engineered through the open pollination of Northern Brewer and Saaz to bridge the gap between robust field performance and delicate "Noble" finesse. For decades, it was a staple in Belgian hop gardens, particularly in Flanders, prized for its reliable yields in cool, temperate climates. While it has become a niche variety in the modern market, Record is revered by traditionalists for its "Noble-plus" character—offering a slightly more assertive profile than a standard Saaz while remaining perfectly balanced for classic continental styles.

The sensory profile of Record is a sophisticated blend of rustic spice and gentle floral sweetness, with aroma characteristics reminiscent of its Northern Brewer heritage. It leads with a primary, "old-world" bouquet of fresh wildflowers, sweet hay, and a distinct peppery spiciness. As the profile develops, brewers will find secondary notes of mint, pine, and a subtle earthiness that provides a more rugged complexity than its Saaz parentage. Thanks to its balanced oil composition and moderate alpha-acid levels, Record delivers a clean, smooth bitterness and a refined finish, making it the definitive choice for authentic Belgian ales or European pilsners with a polished aromatic depth.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Record, the best alternatives are Hersbrucker, Northern Brewer, Perle, or Saaz.

At A Glance

Profile Rustic Spice, Floral Sweetness, Fresh Wildflowers, Sweet Hay, Peppery Spiciness, Mint, Pine, Earthy
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 5.0 - 7.0%
Substitutes Hersbrucker, Northern Brewer, Perle, Saaz
Pairs with Northern Brewer (to amplify the pine and mint), Saaz (to soften the spice), Styrian Golding (for a full-spectrum European herbal profile)
Beer Styles Belgian Pale Ale, Saison, Abbey Ale, Pilsner, European Lager

General Information

Country Belgium
Alias Belgian Record
Storage Stability
Retains 58% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 5.0 - 7.0%
Beta Acid 3.0 - 6.0%
Cohumulone 20.0 - 25.0%
Total Oil 0.8 - 1.4 ml/100g
Myrcene 35.0 - 45.0%
Humulene 20.0 - 30.0%
Caryophyllene 8.0 - 12.0%
Farnesene 5.0 - 10.0%
Linalool ~0.5%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,500 - 1,900 lbs/acre
Maturity Mid-season
Resistant Downy Mildew - better than Saaz
Susceptible Powdery Mildew
Growth Rate High
Cones Medium-sized, moderately dense, and elongated. They are well-covered in lupulin with a high concentr
Ease of Harvest Excellent; the bines are structurally strong and the cones are resilient, making it very well-suited
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium green
Side Arm Length 18" - 30"

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Earthy Floral Fresh Wildflower Mint Pepper Pine Spicy Sweet Hay
Variety Name
Hersbrucker Northern Brewer Perle Saaz Styrian Golding
Beer Style
Abbey Ale Belgian Pale Ale European Lager Pilsner Saison
Usage
Aroma
Origin
Belgium
Last Updated
  • 2026-04-08 09:10:56
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.