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Serebrianka Hops
AromaAlpha 2.3 - 4.3%Russia
Breeding & lineage: Russian Landrace; Parent of Cascade
Genetics & family tree
Curated parent and offspring links for Serebrianka. View Serebrianka family tree & lineage chart → Recipe swaps are on the Hop Substitutor.
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.
Looking for an alternative?
Run Serebrianka through our Hop Substitutor to find chemical and flavor matches ranked for your brewing goal.
If you can't find Serebrianka, the best alternatives are Cascade, East Kent Golding, Fuggle, or Saaz.
Similar hops (calculated)
View hop substitutes for Serebrianka →- Spalter Select35.8%
- Spalt33%
- Saaz Shine32.8%
- Nadwislanska31.4%
- Tettnanger30.8%
- Bianca29.2%
Match scores use aroma/flavor charts and chemistry — estimates only.
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" |
- 2026-04-04 15:31:24