Southern Dawn Hops

Dual: Aroma and BitteringAlpha 10.0 - 15.0%South Africa

Southern Dawn represents the next generation of South African breeding excellence, developed by the South African Breweries program in the George region. As a "short-day" cultivar specifically adapted to Southern Hemisphere light cycles, it is often viewed as a bolder, more aromatic evolution of Southern Promise. This high-performance variety was engineered to provide brewers with a high-intensity dual-purpose hop, offering an impressive resin content and a stable oil profile that delivers a clean, firm bitterness without sacrificing aromatic complexity.

The sensory profile is a vibrant arrangement of crisp citrus and soft stone fruits. It leads with a primary bouquet of fresh grapefruit and lemon zest, followed by delicate layers of apricot and sweet melon. As the profile develops, a refined herbal backbone of green tea and spice provides a clean, rustic finish. Thanks to its well-balanced cohumulone levels, Southern Dawn delivers a smooth, rounded bitterness that perfectly supports its fruit-forward character, making it a sophisticated choice for modern, hop-forward recipes.

Substitution Tip

If you can't find Southern Dawn, the best alternatives are Chinook, Northern Brewer, Nugget, or Southern Star.

At A Glance

ProfileCitrus, Stone Fruit, Fresh Grapefruit, Lemon Zest, Apricot, Sweet Melon, Herbal, Green Tea, Spicy
PurposeDual: Aroma and Bittering
Alpha Acid10.0 - 15.0%
SubstitutesChinook, Northern Brewer, Nugget, Southern Star
Pairs withCitra® (for a citrus boost), Southern Passion (to amplify tropical notes), Southern Promise (to ground the fruit with a refined herbal base)
Beer StylesPale Ale, India Pale Ale, Modern Lager, Hoppy Pilsner, Stout

General Information

Country
South Africa
Storage Stability
Retains 80% alpha acid

Brewing Chemistry (Acids & Oils)

Alpha Acid
10.0 - 15.0%
Beta Acid
5.0 - 6.0%
Cohumulone
24.0 - 28.0%
Total Oil
1.2 - 1.8 ml/100g
Myrcene
35.0 - 45.0%
Humulene
20.0 - 30.0%
Caryophyllene
8.0 - 12.0%
Farnesene
< 1.0%
Linalool
0.4 - 0.7%
Geraniol
~0.3%

Growth & Cultivation

Yield
1,700 - 2,100 lbs/acre
Maturity
Mid-season
Resistant
Common hop diseases (excellent)
Growth Rate
Very high
Cones
Medium-sized, oval-shaped, and relatively dense with high lupulin saturation
Ease of Harvest
Excellent; specifically selected for its suitability for modern mechanical picking and processing
Sex
Female
Leaf Color
Medium-dark green
Side Arm Length
20" - 30"

Discovery Tags

Breeding/Supplier

Last Updated
  • 2026-03-31 23:42:53