Wye Saxon Hops: Profile & Substitutions

Description

Developed at the historic Wye College in 1968, Wye Saxon was bred to be a bridge between Britain and the European mainland. A sister to Wye Viking, its pedigree traces back to Svalöf - a legendary Swedish hop that is now extinct in commercial farming. While many British hops are known for heavy spice and earth, Wye Saxon was engineered to mimic the refined, "Noble" traits of German and Czech varieties.

Though largely utilized for breeding programs rather than mass-market production, Wye Saxon remains a fascinating niche variety. It offers growers a sturdy defense against Verticillium wilt while providing brewers with the delicate, floral elegance usually reserved for traditional Hallertau or Saaz.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Wye Saxon, the best alternatives are First Gold, Saaz, Sterling, or Tettnanger.

At A Glance

Profile Floral, Herbal (fresh cut hay and dried flowers), Lemon Zest, Woody
Purpose Aroma
Alpha Acid 3.5 - 5.5%
Substitutes First Gold, Saaz, Sterling, Tettnanger
Pairs with Progress (for a fruitier English profile), Saaz (to amplify the Noble characteristics), Target (if a firmer bittering base is needed)
Beer Styles Pilsner, English Bitter, Blonde Ale

General Information

Country United Kingdom
Aliases Saxon, USDA 21282
Storage Stability
Retains 75% alpha acid contents after 6 months of storage at 68°F.

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid 3.5 - 5.5%
Beta Acid 2.5 - 4.0%
Cohumulone 20.0 - 25.0%
Total Oil 0.8 - 1.4 ml/100g
Myrcene 30.0 - 40.0%
Humulene 25.0 - 32.0%
Caryophyllene 8.0 - 10.0%
Farnesene < 1.0%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield 1,250 - 1,600 lbs/acre
Maturity Early season
Resistant Downy Mildew (moderate), Verticillium Wilt (high)
Growth Rate Fair to poor
Cones Small to medium, relatively compact
Ease of Harvest Good; bines are manageable and well-suited for mechanical picking
Sex Female
Leaf Color Medium green
Side Arm Length 15" - 25"

Discovery Tags

Flavor/Aroma
Floral Herbal Lemon Zest Woody
Variety Name
First Gold Hallertau Progress Saaz Sterling Target Tettnanger Wye Viking
Beer Style
Blonde Ale English Bitter Pilsner
Usage
Aroma
Origin
United Kingdom
Breeding/Supplier
Wye College
Last Updated
  • 2026-02-28 22:10:01
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.