Serebrianka Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Serebrianka, whose name translates to "The Silvery One," is a legendary Russian variety from the Institute for Plant Research in St. Petersburg. While it arrived at the USDA research program in 1971, it was eventually discarded for commercial use in 1991 due to its status as a weak grower in American soil. However, its historical significance is massive: it is a quintessential old-world aroma hop believed to be related to Saaz, and it is famously known as the mother of Cascade—the variety that launched the American craft revolution. Today, it remains a rare find, occasionally available to homebrewers and boutique creators seeking a deep genetic connection to the "Noble" tradition.

The sensory profile of Serebrianka is an intricate and sophisticated arrangement of rustic European aromatics. It leads with a primary, "continental" bouquet of black tea, fresh herbs, and sweet tobacco, followed by a woody earthiness reminiscent of a damp forest floor. As the profile develops, brewers will find a delicate, spicy presence—similar to a cross between East Kent Golding and Fuggle—with a soft, almost imperceptible hint of citrus. Thanks to its high humulene and farnesene content, Serebrianka delivers a remarkably smooth, velvety bitterness and a clean, dry finish, making it the definitive choice for historical recreations requiring a soulful, "pre-prohibition" aromatic depth.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Serebrianka, the best alternatives are Cascade, East Kent Golding, Fuggle, or Saaz.

At A Glance

Profile Black Tea, Fresh Herbs, Sweet Tobacco, Woody, Earthy, Damp Forest Floor, Spicy, Herbal, Hint of Citrus
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 2.3 - 4.3%
Substitutes Cascade, East Kent Golding, Fuggle, Saaz
Pairs with Cascade (to bridge the gap between its Russian roots and American citrus heritage), Fuggle (to deepen the earthy character), Saaz (to sharpen the herbal spice)
Beer Styles Russian Imperial Stout, Baltic Porter, English Bitter, Belgian Saison, Pilsner

General Information

Country Russia
Alias Silver
Storage Stability
Retains 52 - 58% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 2.3 - 4.3%
Beta Acid 2.8 - 3.5%
Cohumulone 22.0 - 24.0%
Total Oil 0.3 - 0.6 ml/100g
Myrcene 18.0 - 36.0%
Humulene 24.0 - 30.0%
Caryophyllene 7.5 - 9.0%
Farnesene 11.0 - 13.0%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 200 - 400 lbs/acre
Maturity Early
Susceptible Most common North American hop diseases
Growth Rate Poor to low
Cones Small, delicate, and oval-shaped with fine, pale-yellow lupulin
Ease of Harvest Poor; due to its short side-arms and low cone density, it is typically less efficient for mechanical
Sex Female
Leaf Color Dark green
Side Arm Length 6" - 12"

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Black Tea Citrus Damp Forest Floor Earthy Herbal Spicy Tobacco Woody
Variety Name
Cascade East Kent Golding Fuggle Saaz
Beer Style
Baltic Porter Belgian Saison English Bitter Pilsner Russian Imperial Stout
Usage
Aroma
Origin
Russia
Breeding/Supplier
Institute For Plant Research
Last Updated
  • 2026-04-04 09:31:24
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

  • #Pine (West Coast Classic)

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  • 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.