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Southern Dawn Hops
Dual: Aroma and BitteringAlpha 10.0 - 15.0%South Africa
Flavor & aroma
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.
If you can't find Southern Dawn, the best alternatives are Chinook, Northern Brewer, Nugget, or Southern Star.
At A Glance
| Profile | Citrus, Stone Fruit, Fresh Grapefruit, Lemon Zest, Apricot, Sweet Melon, Herbal, Green Tea, Spicy |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Dual: Aroma and Bittering |
| Alpha Acid | 10.0 - 15.0% |
| Substitutes | Chinook, Northern Brewer, Nugget, Southern Star |
| Pairs with | Citra® (for a citrus boost), Southern Passion (to amplify tropical notes), Southern Promise (to ground the fruit with a refined herbal base) |
| Beer Styles | Pale 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" |
- 2026-03-31 23:42:53