Summer Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Summer is a luminous Australian aroma variety that offers a contemporary, fruit-forward twist on a legendary lineage. Bred in 1997 by Hop Products Australia, Summer was developed as a direct descendant of the world-renowned Saaz. The goal was to meet strict European "noble" standards—refined aroma with low bitterness—while adapting the plant to thrive in the unique terroir of the Southern Hemisphere.

While it retains the low-cohumulone "DNA" of its Czech ancestors, the Australian environment has encouraged the plant to produce a significantly more vibrant oil profile. Since its release, it has become a cornerstone for brewers looking to create highly sessionable, refreshing ales and lagers. It is widely considered a "social" hop—engineered for maximum drinkability and subtle, elegant aromatics that don't overwhelm the palate.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Summer, the best alternatives are Hallertau Blanc, Palisade®, Saaz, or Styrian Celeia.

At A Glance

Profile Melon, Ripe Apricot, White Peach, Black Tea, Floral, Stone Fruit, Sweet Grass
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 4.0 - 7.0%
Substitutes Hallertau Blanc, Palisade®, Saaz, Styrian Celeia
Pairs with Cascade (to brighten the citrus notes), Ella™ (to add a floral/spice complexity), Topaz™ (for a boost in resinous fruit)
Beer Styles Summer Ale, Wheat Beer, Pilsner, Saison, Blonde Ale

General Information

Country Australia
Aliases AU Summer, Australia Summer
Storage Stability
Retains 75% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 4.0 - 7.0%
Beta Acid 4.8 - 6.1%
Cohumulone 20.0 - 25.0%
Total Oil 1.4 - 2.0 ml/100g
Myrcene 30.0 - 50.0%
Humulene 30.0 - 45.0%
Caryophyllene 8.0 - 11.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%
Linalool ~0.5%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1605-1784 lbs/acre
Maturity Mid-to-late season
Growth Rate High
Cones Small to medium, relatively tight, and very rich in lupulin
Ease of Harvest Excellent; bines are hardy and cones are resistant to shattering during mechanical processing
Sex Female
Leaf Color Vibrant medium green
Side Arm Length 20" - 30"

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Apricot Black Tea Floral Grassy Melon Stone Fruit White Peach
Variety Name
Cascade Ella Hallertau Blanc Palisade Saaz Styrian Celeia Topaz
Beer Style
Blonde Ale Pilsner Saison Summer Ale Wheat Beer
Usage
Aroma
Origin
Australia
Breeding/Supplier
Hop Products Australia
Last Updated
  • 2026-03-26 18:10:38
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)

    Kick off the weekend with a classic. Think forest floors and fresh resin. These hops provide that iconic, "crispy" evergreen aroma that defined the original American IPA. Explore #Pine 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.